Antibiotic treatment recommendations for acute respiratory tract infections in Scandinavian general practices—time for harmonization?
(2024) In Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care- Abstract
Introduction: During recent years, the world—including Scandinavia—has experienced significant challenges with shortages of antibiotics. In Scandinavia, phenoxymethylpenicillin is recommended as first-line antibiotic treatment for most acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). However, the Scandinavian countries each constitute rather small markets for phenoxymethylpenicillin. The aim of this discussion paper is to enlighten the differences in Scandinavian ARTI antibiotic treatment recommendations. This information is fundamental for exploring the potential of harmonizing treatment recommendations in Denmark, Norway and Sweden—to help ensure sufficient future supply of phenoxymethylpenicillin. Methods: Information from national ARTI... (More)
Introduction: During recent years, the world—including Scandinavia—has experienced significant challenges with shortages of antibiotics. In Scandinavia, phenoxymethylpenicillin is recommended as first-line antibiotic treatment for most acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). However, the Scandinavian countries each constitute rather small markets for phenoxymethylpenicillin. The aim of this discussion paper is to enlighten the differences in Scandinavian ARTI antibiotic treatment recommendations. This information is fundamental for exploring the potential of harmonizing treatment recommendations in Denmark, Norway and Sweden—to help ensure sufficient future supply of phenoxymethylpenicillin. Methods: Information from national ARTI antibiotic treatment recommendations from respectively Denmark, Norway and Sweden has been collated. Results: Several discrepancies exist in recommendations. Adult dosage varies from a minimum of 660 mg x 4 (Denmark) to a maximum of 2000 mg × 3 (Sweden). Within Norway and Sweden, variations in recommended dosage also exist between the different types of ARTIs. A main challenge is that the tablet strengths recommended, and available on the market in the three countries, differs. Also, antibiotic treatment durations vary significantly between countries and infections treated—from five to 10 days of treatment. Conclusion: In the capacity of a well-established network for antibiotic stewardship, we have enlightened the differences in Scandinavian ARTI antibiotic treatment recommendations. This paper is the first step moving forward to scrutinizing the potential for harmonizing recommendations for Denmark, Norway and Sweden—to help ensure continued supply of phenoxymethylpenicillin for use within the Scandinavian countries.
(Less)
- author
- Plejdrup Hansen, Malene ; Høye, Sigurd and Hedin, Katarina LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2024
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- epub
- subject
- keywords
- acute respiratory tract infections, antibiotics, General practice, guidelines, phenoxymethylpenicillin
- in
- Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care
- publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85209547552
- pmid:39494720
- ISSN
- 0281-3432
- DOI
- 10.1080/02813432.2024.2422441
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
- id
- dbeb181e-7096-49ed-b56b-7a11ff71afbf
- date added to LUP
- 2025-01-22 15:46:46
- date last changed
- 2025-02-05 17:19:41
@article{dbeb181e-7096-49ed-b56b-7a11ff71afbf,
abstract = {{<p>Introduction: During recent years, the world—including Scandinavia—has experienced significant challenges with shortages of antibiotics. In Scandinavia, phenoxymethylpenicillin is recommended as first-line antibiotic treatment for most acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). However, the Scandinavian countries each constitute rather small markets for phenoxymethylpenicillin. The aim of this discussion paper is to enlighten the differences in Scandinavian ARTI antibiotic treatment recommendations. This information is fundamental for exploring the potential of harmonizing treatment recommendations in Denmark, Norway and Sweden—to help ensure sufficient future supply of phenoxymethylpenicillin. Methods: Information from national ARTI antibiotic treatment recommendations from respectively Denmark, Norway and Sweden has been collated. Results: Several discrepancies exist in recommendations. Adult dosage varies from a minimum of 660 mg x 4 (Denmark) to a maximum of 2000 mg × 3 (Sweden). Within Norway and Sweden, variations in recommended dosage also exist between the different types of ARTIs. A main challenge is that the tablet strengths recommended, and available on the market in the three countries, differs. Also, antibiotic treatment durations vary significantly between countries and infections treated—from five to 10 days of treatment. Conclusion: In the capacity of a well-established network for antibiotic stewardship, we have enlightened the differences in Scandinavian ARTI antibiotic treatment recommendations. This paper is the first step moving forward to scrutinizing the potential for harmonizing recommendations for Denmark, Norway and Sweden—to help ensure continued supply of phenoxymethylpenicillin for use within the Scandinavian countries.</p>}},
author = {{Plejdrup Hansen, Malene and Høye, Sigurd and Hedin, Katarina}},
issn = {{0281-3432}},
keywords = {{acute respiratory tract infections; antibiotics; General practice; guidelines; phenoxymethylpenicillin}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{Taylor & Francis}},
series = {{Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care}},
title = {{Antibiotic treatment recommendations for acute respiratory tract infections in Scandinavian general practices—time for harmonization?}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02813432.2024.2422441}},
doi = {{10.1080/02813432.2024.2422441}},
year = {{2024}},
}