| Bacteriophages | Antibiotics |
|---|---|
| Very specific | Antibiotics target both pathogenic microorganisms and normal microflora. This affects the microbial balance in the patient, which may lead to serious secondary infections. |
| Replicate at the site of infection and are thus available where they are most needed. | They are metabolized and eliminated from the body and do not necessarily concentrate at the site of infection. |
| No serious side effects have been described. | Multiple side effects, including intestinal disorders, allergies, and secondary infections have been reported |
| Phage-resistant bacteria remain susceptible to other phages having a similar target range. | Resistance to antibiotics is not limited to targeted bacteria. |
| Selecting new phages(e.g., against phage-resistant bacteria) is a relatively rapid process that can frequently be accomplished in days. | Developing a new antibiotic is a time-consuming process and may take several years. |