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Antibiotic prophylaxis of endocarditis: new recommendations
Abstract
The Endocarditis Working Party of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy has recently updated its recommendations for the antibiotic prophylaxis of infective endocarditis (Endocarditis Working Party, BSAC, Lancet 1990; 335: 88–89). This follows reports of nausea after large oral doses of erythromycin stearate, previously recommended for patients allergic to penicillin who are having dental work without a general anaesthetic. An alternative, clindamycin is now introduced. This antibiotic is very active against Gram-positive cocci, the most important organisms. These are the new recommendations.