When Should Broad Spectrum Antibiotics Be Used in Cancer Patients?
Broad spectrum antibiotics should be used when a bacterial infection is suspected, but the specific pathogen has not yet been identified. They are also employed in situations where the infection is severe or the patient is at high risk, such as during periods of [neutropenia](), a common side effect of chemotherapy where white blood cell counts are critically low. Once the specific bacteria causing the infection are identified, doctors often switch to a narrow spectrum antibiotic to minimize side effects and reduce the risk of resistance.
