What is it about?
This review discusses the use of subcutaneous antibiotics as an alternative to intravenous antibiotic therapy, particularly in outpatient care, OPAT, and frail or hard-to-access patients. It summarizes which antibiotics are suitable for subcutaneous administration, how this route compares with intravenous treatment, and the main practical considerations for safe clinical use.
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Why is it important?
Subcutaneous antibiotic therapy may reduce complications related to intravenous catheters, improve patient comfort, and support hospital-at-home models. Despite its growing use, it remains largely off-label and is rarely addressed in guidelines. This review provides clinicians with practical, evidence-based information to support antimicrobial stewardship and individualized patient care.
Perspectives
From a clinical perspective, subcutaneous antibiotics represent a valuable but underrecognized option. We hope this review increases awareness, encourages appropriate use in selected patients, and stimulates further research to better define its role in modern infectious disease management.
Professor Stefano Di Bella
Universita degli Studi di Trieste
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: When and How to Use Subcutaneous Antibiotics, Clinical Infectious Diseases, January 2026, Oxford University Press (OUP),
DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaf691.
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