Comparison 5. Agent with longer half‐life versus similar agent with shorter half‐life.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Treatment failure	2	484	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.61 [0.40, 0.92]
2 Severe complication	1	355	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.27 [0.02, 2.89]
3 Wound infection	2	484	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.70 [0.13, 3.68]
4 Allergic reaction	1	377	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.78 [0.22, 2.72]
5 Diarrhea	1	129	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.43 [0.42, 4.84]
6 Length of stay	1	129	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐0.60 [‐1.45, 0.25]