Testing Interventions Designed to Improve How Members of the General Public Follow Instructions to Take Antibiotics

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health challenge. Due to overuse of antibiotics, bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics, which creates infections that can't be treated by modern medicine. To combat AMR, the public need to both know that AMR is an issue and know what actions they can take to address AMR. When patients are prescribed antibiotics, the information provided (and how this is provided) is likely to be influential on whether they are taken correctly, or if behaviours that contribute to antimicrobial resistance (such as not finishing the course) predominate. This study, a large online experiment involving 7,000 people across the UK, aims explore the influence of what information and how it is provided. The study looks at different ways of presenting information on antibiotic packets-from clear instructions to warnings and even scannable QR codes with extra details. The main goals are to see if these changes can help participants understand how to take antibiotics exactly as prescribed. The investigators also want to see if it helps participants understand what antibiotic resistance is and their role in preventing it. By understanding what works best, the investigators hope to find simple, effective ways to help everyone use antibiotics wisely, protecting these vital medicines for the future.

NCT Number	NCT07111754
Lead Sponsor	Imperial College London Collaborators: The Behavioural Insights Team
Conditions	Antibiotic Use
Enrollment	7,000 participants
Start Date	2025-08-31
Primary Completion	2025-10-24 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-03-01 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2025-08-08