A few things to note before taking antibiotics

Nowadays most of us prefer antibiotics to get easy relief from cold, headache, fever or disease of any sort. If you make it a procedure, bacteria in our body slowly attain strength enough to resist the antibiotics unnecessarily supplied to our body for our convenience. Over dosage of antibiotics definitely leads to the rise of dangerous drug-resistant bacteria, which may no longer respond to treatment, and such issues are on a rise right now. When to use antibiotics and how to use? Let us clear a few doubts here.

What are the important points to be noted while using antibiotics?

Earlier antibiotics were used to save human lives, now even for prolonged cold or fever. Most important thing is you should use antibiotics only if it’s prescribed by your doctor. Self-treatment is extremely dangerous. Misuse and overdose are main reasons why antibiotics have turned resistant to medicines. Strictly follow doctor’s instructions and dosage. Even if symptoms of disease have vanished, never stop the dosage in the middle.

Certain antibiotics are to be taken before meals, while a few others after meals. Also if you are taking any other medicines, you should tell your doctor about it. Some drugs are contradictory giving bad consequences. For instance you can’t take tetracycline cannot be taken along with iron tablets or antacids. Both these can block the absorption of tetracycline. If you have allergy towards antibiotics, you should tell your doctor about this.

Why should we complete an antibiotic course?

If we don’t complete a course, for the second time it may not be effective. Disease germs achieve more resistance to a particular antibiotic, and that’s why. Treatment with the same drug may fail this time. In most cases, when visible symptoms are not seen patient abruptly ends the use of antibiotics. Best instance is tuberculosis, and if the prescribed dose is not completed it may lead to multi-drug resident bacteria, a huge headache to TB treatment.

What are the points to be noted while giving antibiotics to children?

Antibiotics given to children should be strictly under medical prescription, and never self-treat them. In most cases tablets or powders are given as antibiotics which should be dissolved in syrup or water, and the course should be completed. Some antibiotics are not prescribed to children. Tetracycline tablets can affect the development of enamel thus damaging the teeth, and it can adversely affect the growth of bones.

You should clearly know the dosage and when to give. Never give medicine when they are in sleeping position, and also give water along with medicine. For young kids, you can take them in lap to give the medicine dosage.

Should be avoid antibiotics as much as possible?

Antibiotics are mainly given to disease conditions with life threat, and in this case we can’t avoid them. We should use such medicines carefully, strictly following doctor’s instructions. When we use antibiotics for a long time, a defensive mechanism may form inside the body and in some cases certain enzymes are formed which fight and defeat the medicine. Some germs may pump and flush out medicine from human cells, such as tetracycline, erythromycin, fluoroquinolone etc. Handle them with care; then only you can use them wisely to get better effects.

Can consumption of antibiotics cause any sort of discomforts or side effects?

Antibiotics can cause side effects, mostly related to intestine and digestion problems; stomach pain, vomiting, heartburn, loss fatigue etc to name a few. Drink a plenty of water along with antibiotics and try to take them after meals to reduce their side effects. Aspirin can cause diarrhoea. Use of antibiotics can cause destruction of natural bacteria in the intestine, and that’s the reason why.

Some antibiotics can cause allergy problems too. Red marks, itching and swelling of skin and fever are simple among them. Penicillin can cause medicine allergies like Anaphylaxis. Breathing problems, disturbance in throat and low blood pressure are some of the series issues associated with Anaphylaxis. Before taking antibiotic injection, a test doze is given to check if allergic conditions prevail.

In which situations we should avoid antibiotics?

Fevers related to cold and viral fever don’t require antibiotics. Dengue fever and chickenpox also don’t require antibiotic treatment. Those undergoing treatment of kidney problems and prolonged liver diseases may need to avoid certain medicines. Amino glycosides and tetracycline are not given to kidney patients now. Erythromycin and certain antibiotics used in the treatment of tuberculosis are not prescribed for liver patients. If the patient has shown allergic reactions to certain antibiotics, medicines in that particular group won’t be prescribed by the doctor for the second time.  

Can pregnant women and feeding mothers take antibiotics?

If possible, kindly avoid them. Intake of antibiotics can adversely affect the development process, organ formation and growth of both foetus and new born. Some antibiotics can deeply affect pregnant ladies. For instance, tetracycline medicines can affect the functioning of liver, kidney and pancreas, and if pregnant ladies consume it, it can affect the foetal development of bones and teeth. So, pregnant women and feeding mothers should take antibiotics only under the strict prescription of doctor. Penicillin, Cephalosporins and Erythromycin are safe during gestation period.

How do we feel tired and dizziness after taking antibiotics, at least in a few cases?

In some cases, it’s not because of antibiotics, but because of disease condition a person may feel tired. Strictly follow instructions given by doctors, and to how long you should continue. When you consume strong antibiotics, take food and water properly, and drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Yet if you feel excess tired after taking antibiotics, you can inform your doctor.

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