Why did OneChoice recommend an IV antibiotic?

OneChoice favors an oral antibiotic when oral treatment is appropriate and can provide reliable coverage. Sometimes, though, an IV antibiotic is the safer or better-supported option.

When might IV treatment be recommended?

• The infection or severity of illness calls for initial IV therapy
• The infection site needs drug exposure that oral options cannot reliably provide
• Resistance leaves no suitable oral option
• The patient cannot absorb, tolerate, or take oral medication
• A reliable oral dose or regimen is not supported by the evidence

Examples can include bloodstream infection, osteomyelitis, severe systemic infection, or another deep-seated infection. That does not mean every patient with one of these diagnoses needs IV treatment for the entire course.

Could the patient switch to an oral antibiotic later?

Possibly. The clinician should review the patient's response, source control, susceptibility results, oral absorption, and available oral options to decide whether and when step-down therapy is appropriate.

OneChoice Plus provides the drug rationale and supporting references to help with that review.