Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG complete) is the standard Australian reference for what to prescribe. Most hospitals and many practices subscribe. Its Antibiotic guideline in particular defines empirical antibiotic choices across the country, and AMC answers generally follow it.
The Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) is the companion reference for individual drug details: doses, adverse effects, interactions and renal dosing.
Practical differences you will notice coming from India:
- Narrow-spectrum first: phenoxymethylpenicillin for strep throat, amoxicillin for low-severity pneumonia, flucloxacillin or cefalexin for cellulitis.
- Fluoroquinolones, carbapenems and third-generation cephalosporins are restricted and are not routine first-line outpatient choices.
- Hospitals run antimicrobial stewardship programs, and some antibiotics need infectious diseases approval.
When unsure of a dose or drug choice in an exam, choose the conservative, guideline-based, narrow-spectrum option.