Researchers from Duke University School of Medicine  that a new antibiotic, Oritavancin, could be just as effective in a single dose as antibiotics that require two doses daily for up to 10 days in order to be effective.

This research comes from a three-year study of the new antibiotic, which consisted of two clinical trials of almost 2000 patients. Of those patients, 475 were given the new drug, while 479 patients were given the typical regimen of Vancomycin twice daily for up to 10 days.

Those who were infected with MRSA, or Staph infection, and took the Oritavancin experienced 20 percent or more reduction of infection within the first 48 to 72 hours. 

The new drug performed similarly to the Vancomycin in the reduction of fevers and the size of lesions in a shorter span of time.

Researchers believe that this single-dose drug could help shorten or prevent hospitalization of patients.

The trials will be used to present the new antibiotic for approval by the FDA.

Information gathered from ScienceDaily.com.