How can antibiotics be used to treat disease

Don't ask your provider to prescribe an antibiotic for you. Antibiotics do not work on viral infections. For example, you shouldn't take antibiotics for. The side effects of antibiotics range from minor to very severe. Some of the common side effects include. You should only take antibiotics when they are needed because they can cause side effects and can contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance happens when the bacteria change and become able to resist the effects of an antibiotic. This means that the bacteria continue to grow. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.

Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Learn More Related Issues. Research Clinical Trials Journal Articles. Resources Reference Desk Find an Expert. To prevent this, it is important to finish taking the entire prescription of antibiotics as instructed, even if your child is feeling better. This complicated question, which should be answered by your healthcare provider, depends on the specific diagnosis.

For example, there are several types of ear infections — most need antibiotics, but some do not. Most cases of sore throat are caused by viruses.

One kind, strep throat, diagnosed by a lab test, needs antibiotics. Common viral infections, like coughs or a cold, can sometimes become complicated and a bacterial infection can develop. However, treating viral infections with antibiotics in order to prevent bacterial infections is not recommended because of the risk of causing bacterial resistance:. Remember that antibiotics do not work against viral colds and the flu, and that unnecessary antibiotics can be harmful.

Talk with your healthcare provider about antibiotics and find out about the differences between viruses and bacteria, and when antibiotics should and should not be used.

If your child receives an antibiotic, be sure to give it exactly as prescribed to decrease the development of resistant bacteria. Have your child finish the entire prescription. Common side effects range from minor to very severe health problems and can include: Rash Nausea Diarrhea Yeast infections More about: C. To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: Email Address.

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However, as long as you drink in moderation, alcohol is unlikely to interact significantly with your medication. Some antibiotics, such as rifampicin and rifabutin, can reduce the effectiveness of the combined oral contraceptive pill. If you're prescribed rifampicin or rifabutin, you may need to use additional contraception, such as condoms , while taking antibiotics. Speak to your GP, nurse or pharmacist for advice. Some of the medications you may need to avoid, or seek advice on, while taking a specific class of antibiotic are outlined below.

It's usually recommended that you avoid taking penicillin at the same time as methotrexate, which is used to treat psoriasis , rheumatoid arthritis and some forms of cancer.

This is because combining the two medications can cause a range of unpleasant and sometimes serious side effects. However, some forms of penicillin, such as amoxicillin, can be used in combination with methotrexate.

You may experience a skin rash if you take penicillin and allopurinol, which is used to treat gout. Cephalosporins may increase the chance of bleeding if you're taking blood-thinning medications anticoagulants such as heparin and warfarin.

If you need treatment with cephalosporins, you may need to have your dose of anticoagulants changed or additional blood monitoring. The risk of damage to your kidneys and hearing is increased if you're taking one or more of the following medications:.

The risk of kidney and hearing damage has to be balanced against the benefits of using aminoglycosides to treat life-threatening conditions such as septicaemia. In hospital, blood levels are carefully monitored to ensure the antibiotic is only present in the blood in safe amounts. If aminoglycosides are used properly in topical preparations, such as ear drops, these side effects don't occur. You should check with your GP or pharmacist before taking a tetracycline if you're currently taking any of the following:.

It's highly recommended that you don't combine a macrolide with any of the following medications unless directly instructed to by your GP, as the combination could cause heart problems:.

You should check with your GP or pharmacist before taking a fluoroquinolone if you're currently taking any of the following:. Some fluoroquinolones can intensify the effects of caffeine a stimulant found in coffee, tea and cola , which could make you feel irritable, restless and cause problems falling asleep insomnia.

You may need to avoid taking medication that contains high levels of minerals or iron, as this can block the beneficial effects of fluoroquinolones. This includes:. Home Tests and treatments Medicines and medical aids Types of medicine Antibiotics.

Antibiotics See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. Introduction 2. Uses 3. Special considerations 4. Side effects 5. Interactions with other medicines.

Introduction Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent some types of bacterial infection. When antibiotics are used Antibiotics may be used to treat bacterial infections that: are unlikely to clear up without antibiotics could infect others unless treated could take too long to clear without treatment carry a risk of more serious complications People at a high risk of infection may also be given antibiotics as a precaution, known as antibiotic prophylaxis.

How do I take antibiotics? Doses of antibiotics can be provided in several ways: oral antibiotics — tablets, capsules or a liquid that you drink, which can be used to treat most types of mild to moderate infections in the body topical antibiotics — creams, lotions, sprays or drops, which are often used to treat skin infections injections of antibiotics — these can be given as an injection or infusion through a drip directly into the blood or muscle, and are usually reserved for more serious infections It's essential to finish taking a prescribed course of antibiotics, even if you feel better, unless a healthcare professional tells you otherwise.

Missing a dose of antibiotics If you forget to take a dose of your antibiotics, take that dose as soon as you remember and then continue to take your course of antibiotics as normal. There's an increased risk of side effects if you take 2 doses closer together than recommended. Accidentally taking an extra dose Accidentally taking one extra dose of your antibiotic is unlikely to cause you any serious harm.

Side effects of antibiotics As with any medication, antibiotics can cause side effects. The most common side effects include: being sick feeling sick bloating and indigestion diarrhoea Some people may have an allergic reaction to antibiotics, especially penicillin and a type called cephalosporins. Considerations and interactions Some antibiotics aren't suitable for people with certain medical conditions, or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Read more about how antibiotics interact with other medicines Types of antibiotics There are hundreds of different types of antibiotics, but most of them can be broadly classified into six groups.