Normal treatment courses of antibiotics may not eradicate C.diff spores from the gut.

Once treatment stops, normal bowel flora is not present to prevent relapse of disease.

Pulsed or tapered doses are intended to keep spores under control whilst allowing normal flora to be re-esterblished thus reducing likelihood of relapse.

Pulse dose: 125-500mg OD every 3 days for 3 weeks (after course of 500mg QDS)

Tapered: Reducing gradually from 500mg QDS over 3-4 weeks.

<Thanks to Anthony Bartlett, Antibiotic Pharmacist>