List of WHO AWaRe antibiotics

Antibiotic resistance

This is a list of infections and antibiotics as detailed in the WHO AWaRe classification in the World Health Organization's book The WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) antibiotic book (2022).[1] It provides guidance on using antibiotics responsibly, and is aimed at reducing antimicrobial resistance.[1][2] Antibiotics are generally listed in alphabetical order unless otherwise stated and doses are generally for normal kidney function.[3] The three groups are "access", meaning use can be unrestricted, "watch", meaning care should be taken, and "reserve" meaning use should be saved for cases in which other options are not possible.[1]

Conditions where the first line treatment may not always require antibiotics include acute diarrhoea, bronchitis, mild COPD exacerbations, dental infections, otitis media, pharyngitis, sinusitis, mild skin and soft tissue infections, and lower urinary tract infections in non-pregnant females.[1] If required, generally amoxicillin is the first line choice for community acquired pneumonia, mild exacerbations of COPD, dental infections, otitis media, and pharyngitis.[4] The list includes the shortest possible duration of antibiotic use, and when to make the earliest possible change of giving an antibiotic by mouth when a person has been started on an antibiotic into vein.[1]

Allergies to antibiotics are generally over diagnosed and may lead to unnecessary prescribing of alternatives.[5] Where allergies are reported for first choice antibiotics, other options are not included in the AWaRe book, though available alternatives are recommended where a history of true anaphylaxis has occurred.[5] The list aims to promote observation and waiting, and symptomatic care, during early illness, while saving antibiotics for when truly needed.[1] Doses and durations are in keeping with guidance from the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.[1]

## List[edit | edit source]

* List of WHO AWaRe antibiotics for common infections in primary care
* List of WHO AWaRe antibiotics for common infections in hospital

## References[edit | edit source]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Zanichelli, Veronica; Sharland, Michael; Cappello, Bernadette; Moja, Lorenzo; Getahun, Haileyesus; Pessoa-Silva, Carmem; Sati, Hatim; van Weezenbeek, Catharina; Balkhy, Hanan; Simão, Mariângela; Gandra, Sumanth; Huttner, Benedikt (1 April 2023). "The WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) antibiotic book and prevention of antimicrobial resistance". Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 101 (4): 290–296. doi:10.2471/BLT.22.288614. ISSN 0042-9686. Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
2. ↑ Moja, L; Zanichelli, V; Mertz, D; Gandra, S; Cappello, B; Cooke, GS; Chuki, P; Harbarth, S; Pulcini, C; Mendelson, M; Tacconelli, E; Ombajo, LA; Chitatanga, R; Zeng, M; Imi, M; Elias, C; Ashorn, P; Marata, A; Paulin, S; Muller, A; Aidara-Kane, A; Wi, TE; Were, WM; Tayler, E; Figueras, A; Da Silva, CP; Van Weezenbeek, C; Magrini, N; Sharland, M; Huttner, B; Loeb, M (9 February 2024). "WHO's essential medicines and AWaRe: recommendations on first- and second-choice antibiotics for empiric treatment of clinical infections". Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. doi:10.1016/j.cmi.2024.02.003. PMID 38342438. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
3. ↑ The WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) antibiotic book Archived 2023-08-13 at the Wayback Machine. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
4. ↑ The WHO AWaRe. pp. 5-19
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 The WHO AWaRe. pp. 20-25

## Bibliography[edit | edit source]

* The WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) antibiotic book. World Health Organization. 2022. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.