If you are prescribed antibiotics, when should you stop taking them?

• A. Take them until they are gone
• B. Take them until you feel better
• C. Take them last dose when symptoms disappear
• D. Take them only with meals

Answer: (A)

The main idea is finishing the entire prescribed antibiotic course. When you complete all prescribed doses, you’re more likely to fully eradicate the infection and reduce the chance that bacteria survive and become resistant. Stopping early because you feel better can leave some bacteria behind, which may cause the infection to come back and can make future treatments harder. So you stop taking the medication only after you’ve finished the full course, exactly as directed, even if you feel well before finishing the pills. If you have questions about timing or experience side effects, talk to the healthcare provider rather than stopping on your own.