What do systematic reviews say?

Antibiotics vs placebo

Antibiotics showed no clear difference in children experiencing adverse effects of antibiotics (e.g.… compared with placebo (low certainty).

• Antibiotics for prolonged wet cough in children 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 1.88 [0.62, 5.69]
  3 studies · 190 participants
  Low

Antibiotics vs placebo, no treatment or therapy of unproven effectiveness

Antibiotics may leads to higher adverse effects compared with placebo, no treatment or therapy of unproven effectiveness (low certainty).

• Antibiotics for otitis media with effusion in children 2016 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 2.15 [1.29, 3.6]
  5 studies · 742 participants
  Low

Antibiotics vs no antibiotics

• Antibiotic prophylaxis versus no prophylaxis for preventing infection after cesarean section 2014 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  0 studies · 0 participants
  GRADE not reported

Antibiotics vs no antibiotics

• Antibiotic prophylaxis versus no prophylaxis for preventing infection after cesarean section 2014 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  0 studies · 0 participants
  GRADE not reported

Summary of findings table ‐ Delayed antibiotics vs immediate antibiotics

• Immediate versus delayed versus no antibiotics for respiratory infections 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  5 studies · 1302 participants
  Low

Antibiotics vs placebo

It is very uncertain whether antibiotics changes total adverse effects compared with placebo (very low certainty).

• Antibiotic prophylaxis for elective hysterectomy 2017 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.8 [0.62, 5.18]
  2 studies · 430 participants
  Very low

Summary of findings table ‐ Delayed antibiotics vs no antibiotics

• Immediate versus delayed versus no antibiotics for respiratory infections 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  2 studies · 674 participants
  Moderate

Antibiotics vs placebo or usual care

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Interventions for preventing mastitis after childbirth 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Antibiotics vs topical treatments

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Interventions for preventing mastitis after childbirth 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Antibiotics vs placebo

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Antibiotic prophylaxis for elective hysterectomy 2017 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Systemic antibiotics alone vs systematic antibiotics plus antibiotic lock solution

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Interventions for treating catheter‐related bloodstream infections in people receiving maintenance haemodialysis 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Topical antibiotics vs another topical antibiotic or placebo

• Antibiotic prophylaxis for corneal abrasion 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  Low

Antibiotics at time of replacement vs no antibiotics at time of replacement

It is very uncertain whether antibiotics at time of replacement changes adverse effects (Death) compared with no antibiotics at time of replacement (very low certainty).

• Policies for replacing long‐term indwelling urinary catheters in adults 2016 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 2.12 [0.2, 22.2]
  1 study · 70 participants
  Very low

Oral plus nebulised antibiotics vs oral antibiotics plus nebulised placebo

Oral plus nebulised antibiotics showed no clear difference in adverse effects of treatment compared with oral antibiotics plus nebulised placebo (low certainty).

• Interventions for the eradication of meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in people with cystic fibrosis 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 3 [0.11, 79.91]
  1 study · 29 participants
  Low

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy plus standard care (surgery, antibiotics, oral rinse) vs Standard care alone (surgery, antibiotics, oral rinse)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Interventions for treating bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) 2016 · Cochrane All outcomes
  no estimate extracted
  0 studies
  No studies found

Systemic antibiotics plus antibiotic lock solutions plus tissue plasminogen activator vs systemic antibiotics plus antibiotic lock solutions plus heparin

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Interventions for treating catheter‐related bloodstream infections in people receiving maintenance haemodialysis 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Antibiotics at time of replacement vs no antibiotics at time of replacement

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Policies for replacing long‐term indwelling urinary catheters in adults 2016 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Single preoperative dose of systemic antibiotics (clindamycin 600 mg), total chemo-mechanical debridement and root filling vs Matched placebo, total chemo-mechanical debridement and root filling

• Systemic antibiotics for symptomatic apical periodontitis and acute apical abscess in adults 2024 · Cochrane All outcomes

  7 days
  No adverse effects reported in the placebo group; 1 participant reported dizziness in the intervention group. 72 participants (1 study).
  1 study · 72 participants
  Low

Postoperative systemic antibiotics (phenoxymethylpenicillin/penicillin VK, 7-day course), partial or total chemo-mechanical debridement and analgesics vs Matched placebo, partial or total chemo-mechanical debridement and analgesics

• Systemic antibiotics for symptomatic apical periodontitis and acute apical abscess in adults 2024 · Cochrane All outcomes

  3 days
  1 participant reported diarrhoea (placebo group); 1 participant reported fatigue and reduced energy postoperatively (antibiotic group). 61 participants (2 studies).
  2 studies · 61 participants
  Very low

Combined HBO and perioperative antibiotics prior to dental implant therapy vs antibiotics alone

• Interventions for preventing osteoradionecrosis of the jaws in adults receiving head and neck radiotherapy 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes

  1 year
  This comparison was only made in 1 study which reported no serious adverse events associated with HBO therapy. Quality of life measures (oral status, functioning, satisfaction) showed emotional functioning and pain…
  1 study · 26 participants
  Very low