has anyone stopped ANtibiotics sooner than advised? Please help here....

[CrushWithEyeliner]

I really don;t see how they are helping DD. She is 18m and had a raging fever. Doc checked her over and said she has an inflamed throat so prescribed penecillin which she wouldn't take.
He then gave her another better tasting AB which I suspect is not as effective for tonsilitis or whatever. He didn't seem sure what exactly was wrong with her and I am not convinced. He has said it may be a urine infection so has sent a sample off. Fever has passed and she is improving. The AB were making her have Diorreah so I have stopped them after 2 days.
If she has a urine infection for defo will give AB but I am not comfortable just giving them for no concrete reason. What do you think about my decision?

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Courses of antibiotics should be completed unless doctor agrees to stopping them.

Effectively not finishing a course of anti-biotics means if bacteria is present it can build up resistance to the antibiotic rather than being destroyed by it. - So you have contributed to making antibiotics less effective. (only in a small way however!)

Possibly dd had a virus and AB was never going to make a difference. If you want to try other stuff first tell the doctor you'd rather - generally they are not keen to prescribe ABs for this very reason. Don't start them not wanting to bother finishing them.

I avoid ABs if possible as think it's better for immune system for children to fight off minor infections rather than have AB in system espec. digestive system. I'd rather save them for when really necessary - if everyone did this antibiotics would be more effective. Maybe Calpol would have been a better option...

I abhor the over prescribing of antibiotics and think that your gp was probably wrong to give them without first taking swabs and/or urine tests.

However, once started, antibiotics MUST be finished.

If you are not comfortable giving them without a concrete reason fair enough, but you need to make that decision before giving any of the course to your dd. Please give her the rest of the meds.

Agree with the other posters. Also, there is no reason to suspect that the second set of ABs would be any less effective - there are a number of broad-spectrum ABs out there. The doctor probably prescribed penicillin first as it is less likely to cause stomach upsets/diarrhoea than the second set (i'm thinking the second one might be erythromycin or similar).

ah what do i do now then it has been 2 days since i stopped?

shit i am worried now what should i do anyone?

Oh well we all mess-up sometimes! I'd explain to doctor I didn't realise the importance of finishing them and see what he says. Incidentally ABs may not always make a difference instantly.

.Query with doc if really necessary in future....and if so - finish the course!

Have you still got the unfinished meds?

If so, then continue and finish the course.

If not, then don't worry. Just next time remember that the whole of MN shouted 'finish the course' and don't start them unless you mean to continue.

yes i have the meds - i will call the doc - yes kinda mesed up obviosly...

I'm sure you won't have caused your dd any harm so don't worry about that, does sound like doc was premature in prescribing them. Glad she's on the mend!

i have left a message with the doctor about what to do

SG is it too late to keep going with the rest of teh course?

No, 2 days should be fine.

Some antibiotics are given in short, interrupted courses anyway.