Story highlights A group of experts suggests traditional advice on completing antibiotics could do more harm than good

Other doctors say it's too early to urge patients to change behavior on antibiotics

(CNN) The standing argument that failing to complete a course of antibiotics could fuel the rise of antibiotic resistance has little evidence, a group of United Kingdom researchers argue in a new paper. In an analysis published in the medical journal the BMJ on Thursday, they say that completing a course of antibiotics may instead increase the risk of resistance.

The "complete the course" advice given to patients taking antibiotics is "fallacious" and backed by little evidence, they state in their article, and could lead to antibiotic overuse -- and further resistance.

But other doctors urge caution, and say they aren't ready to change standard advice around taking antibiotics.

The opinion piece suggests that an alternative message, such as "stop when you feel better" could be developed. But the authors accept that more research is needed before this is implemented -- and that this may not apply to all infections.

"We're not at all saying that patients should stop when they feel like it or that patients should ignore their doctor's advice," Tim Peto, professor of medicine at the University of Oxford and a co-author of the article, told CNN.

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