Why must we complete the full course of antibiotics?

I was given a seven day course of four tablets...which should've ended tonight...however me being me kept forgetting to take the tablets and ive got 7 tablets left...should i continue to take them or should i discard them?
Answer:
take them, and try to do it according to the original schedule. you should take the whole course because if you don't, all you do is make the germ, whatever it may be, resistant to the drug you're taking, and when it comes back, you'll have to get something else to cure it. This is why they only give penicillin for strep throat now, everything else has become resistant to it coz of people only taking part of their anitbiotics

---

Well if the infection has gone away on its own, then congratulations, you don't need them. If the infection is still there, ask you doctor.In general, you should always take the full course of antibiotics. Otherwise, the infection could become drug resistant, meaning harsher treatments.

---

Antibiotic regimines should always be taken completely for a few reasons. The first being just because you don't show symptoms doesnt mean the illness is gone. One example is mononucleosis or mono for short, an illness that is treated with antibiotics but stays in the blood for up to 6 months after the symptoms have gone away.The second deals with mutations. Ever heard the saying what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger? Well this applies to germs especially. Germs and bacteria mutate to survive the hostile environments that they live in. Takeing antibiotics attacks the germs but not completeing the regimine is like quiting a fight you are winnign right in the middle it is just kinda stupid. So take all the remainign antibiotics and remember to stick to the schedule or you could end up with the next super germ. xD (Not likely but do you wanna risk it?)

---

Never EVER stop taking a medication because you feel better. It just makes matters worse.Finish taking the antibiotics and next time be more careful with a schedule. They have a reason for being given the way they are.

---

The reason you are suppose to take ALL of your antibiotics is because although you may be feeling better, the infection could still be there and if you stop taking the meds then I could just come right back! If you finish them all and stick to the schedule that you are suppose to then it will kill off all of the infection so you are as good as new and not just THINKING you are!

---