[Table/Fig-2]:

Advantages of rational antibiotic combination therapy over monotherapy

Provides broad empiric coverage

Multimodal action (different spectra of activity)

Prevents emergence of drug resistance

Produces synergistic/additive effect depending on the combination

Suitable for management of polymicrobial infection

Decreased toxicity of individual agents

Suitable for initial therapy

Beneficial for patients who are at high risk for treatment failure

Increases compliance to therapy

Reduces mortality