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

Antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedure vs placebo or no prophylaxis

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing bacterial endocarditis following dental procedures 2022 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Adverse effects of antibiotics | No data reported | 248 (1 study) | - | -
  0 studies
  No studies found

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

Antibiotic prophylaxis vs no treatment

• Antibiotic prophylaxis for episiotomy repair following vaginal birth 2017 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  0 studies · 0 participants
  GRADE not reported

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

Antibiotic prophylaxis vs no treatment or placebo

It is very uncertain whether routine antibiotic prophylaxis changes adverse effects of antibiotics (skin rash) compared with no treatment or placebo (very low certainty).

• Routine antibiotic prophylaxis after normal vaginal birth for reducing maternal infectious morbidity 2017 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 3.03 [0.32, 28.95]
  2 studies · 1706 participants
  Very low