To use antibiotics effectively, you first need to understand how they work and what you should consider before taking them. Below are five important pieces of information to help you understand antibiotics before you start taking them.

Five Key Things You Should Know Before Taking Antibiotics

1. Antibiotics Only Treat Bacterial Infections

The misconception that antibiotics will eliminate any type of infection is very common. It is true that antibiotics have limited use in treating infections and work only against bacterial infections.

Many other conditions, including:

• The common cold
• Influenza (the flu)
• Many cases of sore throat
• Many cases of cough
• Viral illness affecting the stomach

They are mainly caused by viruses that are not treatable with antibiotics. If you are sick with one of these types of illnesses, taking an antibiotic will not help you feel better, but it may put you at risk for side effects and ultimately contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Only your healthcare provider can determine whether your illness is caused by bacteria. How your provider reaches this conclusion depends on several factors, including your symptoms, a physical examination, and, possibly, lab tests. Do not begin any treatment without first consulting your healthcare provider.

2. You Must Complete the Full Course

If you stop taking antibiotics after only part of the prescribed course, some bacteria may survive in your body. The surviving bacteria will be more resistant to treatment than the original population. The bacteria that survive can result in:

• Repeat infections
• Difficult-to-treat disease processes
• Increased need for more potent antibiotics

To ensure complete resolution of an infection and to limit the risk of resistance, all antibiotics must be taken as directed by the doctor.

3. Antibiotics Can Cause Side Effects

Antibiotics are typically safe when used properly; however, they can cause side effects. The most prevalent include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Gastrointestinal upset
• Yeast infection
• Dermatitis

Less frequently, serious side effects happen, such as an allergic reaction, severe diarrhea from gut flora change,s and/or other drugs causing interaction-related adverse effects.

You should keep your physician informed of:

• Any history of drug allergies
• Any current medication or supplemental use
• Current medical diagnoses
• Pregnancy or lactation status

If you have experienced severe symptoms (difficulty breathing, swelling, persistent diarrhea), please seek medical attention immediately.

4. Antibiotic Resistance Is a Real and Growing Threat

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can become resistant to the drugs developed to kill them. This means that some infections will be much more difficult to treat than they otherwise would be, and that there is an increased risk for complications.

The improper use of antibiotics (e.g., taking them without a prescription, missing doses, taking leftover prescriptions) is one of the greatest contributors to antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance can lead to:

• Longer durations of illness
• Increased number of hospitalizations
• Increased cost of medical care
• Fewer options for treatment

By taking antibiotics only as prescribed and according to your doctor’s instructions, you are protecting both yourself and those people in your community.

5. Not All Antibiotics Are the Same

Antibiotics come in many forms, and each is used to treat a specific type of bacteria. When finding the right antibiotic for you, your doctor will evaluate:

• What type of infection do you have?
• What bacteria might be present in your body?
• What medical history do you have?
• What bacteria around you is resisting?

Your use of leftover antibiotics or someone else’s prescription is very dangerous because you may be using the wrong antibiotics to treat your illness. You could be taking an antibiotic that doesn’t kill the germs, or you might have taken too low a dose of your prescribed antibiotic and therefore aren’t being treated.

Using antibiotics incorrectly by using other people’s prescriptions will make it take longer to receive proper treatment with the right antibiotic, and can lead to worse outcomes.

To make sure the antibiotics you are taking work as they should, here are some recommendations to follow:

• Take your medication at the same time every day
• Don’t skip doses of your medication
• Don’t share your medications with anyone else
• Ask your doctor if you should take your antibiotic with food
• Be sure to dispose of leftover medications properly.

If your symptoms have not improved within a couple of days, or have worsened, contact your healthcare provider for assistance. Do not change your dosage without consulting your healthcare provider first.

Concluding Thought

While antibiotics have many uses, it is important to only use them when necessary. This means knowing they only work to kill bacteria and therefore should be prescribed by your doctor. In addition, you should complete the full prescription, know possible side effects, understand that bacteria can develop resistance, and avoid treating yourself with antibiotics without talking to your doctor first. Following these guidelines will help you protect your health and the health of others.

Always talk to a healthcare professional before taking antibiotics; responsible use can help to preserve these important drugs for future generations. When using antibiotics to treat a health issue, being well informed will help you make better decisions.