Why must antibiotics be given on time?

Antibiotics must be administered on time primarily to maintain an effective blood level of the medication. This ensures that there is a consistent concentration of the antibiotic in the bloodstream that is sufficient to effectively combat the bacteria causing the infection. If doses are missed or delayed, the levels may fall below the therapeutic range, potentially allowing the bacteria to reproduce and possibly leading to treatment failure.

Timely administration also helps to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance, which can occur if bacteria are exposed to sub-therapeutic levels of the drug. By keeping the antibiotic levels stable, the likelihood of bacterial growth is reduced, and the treatment's overall efficacy is enhanced.

While other options mention important aspects of antibiotic therapy, like preventing recurrence or avoiding overgrowth of secondary infections, the critical reason for following the specific timing of doses is primarily to maintain that necessary concentration in the bloodstream for effective treatment.