Special caution is required when using antibiotics in the elderly (>65 years) and particularly in the very elderly (>75 years) as these patients are at risk of Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea. These patients are also at increased risk of drug related toxicity, side effects and drug interactions. Only use antibiotics where an infection is confirmed or strongly suspected. Avoid prolonged courses of antibiotics. Refer to section 26 for more details.