Short description
A last-resort antibiotic is used to treat infections with bacteria that are resistant against the common antibiotics or, in cases of severe infections, where an effect must be ensured.
Synonyms
Reserve antibiotic
Antibiotic of last resort

Detailed description

Last-resort antibiotics should not be prescribed to treat simple infections in order to prevent the development of resistances. They often cause side effects and were partly not used any more over a longer period of time. Now, they are again prescribed more often to treat infections with multidrug-resistant bacteria.