How to Use Antibiotics Safely

The first modern antibiotic, penicillin was developed for bacterial infections in the last years of the nineteenth century but was not introduced for public use until World War II. After the war, penicillin was adopted and improved upon until today there are hundreds of choices, some for very specific infections, to combat the often deadly bacteria that threaten our health. Unfortunately, these wonder drugs can also be dangerous when used incorrectly and can lose effectiveness if used too much. Learn how to use antibiotics wisely to keep you and your family safe.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Get a diagnosis from a medical professional. Antibiotics are only effective when used against bacterial infections. They have no effect on viral infections, like the common cold, influenza and warts. Antibiotics kill bacteria like streptococcus, staphylococcus, and E. coli. Antibiotics are also used for treatment of bacterial STDs such as chlamydia but are ineffective against viral infections like herpes.

2. Read the information sheet that comes with your medication and ask the pharmacist to explain how the antibiotic works and any "contraindications" (conditions you may have or medications you may be taking) that would affect the way the medication works. Pharmacists generally know all there is to know about the drugs (especially the new ones) they are dispensing. Your doctor's job is diagnosing and treating but your pharmacist is a chemist--he can answer questions you may have about the antibiotic, its use and any generic equivalents that could save you money. In all fairness, a lot of doctors know a great deal about medications, too but the sheer number of drugs on the market today means that you can depend on your pharmacist, a professional who specializes in that area.

3. Take all antibiotics as directed by your doctor. Each dose works for a certain period of time, then you need another one to maintain a level of medication that will fight your bacterial infection. Most antibiotics are prescribed for a certain length of time, usually seven, 15 or 21 days. Even if you feel better, you should take all the medicine your doctor has prescribed. Never take a double dose of an antibiotic since side effects and interactions could be multiplied and you could actually develop additional problems.

4. If you encounter unpleasant side effects, like nausea or pain, don't stop taking your antibiotic but check with your doctor immediately. Be sure that you're following any cautions, such as "take with food," "do not use with milk (or liquor)" or other warnings that should be displayed on little stickers on the label of your prescription. You may have a sensitivity or even an allergy to the medication. Your doctor can generally change your prescription to one that your body can better tolerate.

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   Understand that children are especially sensitive to some antibiotics and should never be given these medications when another treatment is available. As we get older and use more antibiotics, our bodies and the bacteria that invade them develop resistance to these medications. The result is that more and more drug-resistant bacteria are growing "in the wild." The less you and your children resort to the use of antibiotics, the more likely one is to work when you need it.

Tips & Warnings

• Always ask your doctor what specific purpose the antibiotic she's prescribing should serve. It's a confirmation for both of you.
• If you travel, take your medication with you (or take your child's medication). Don't miss doses just because your daily schedule has been disrupted or you've changed time zones.
• If you miss a dose of an antibiotic, take your medication immediately but wait about half the time prescribed between doses (if you're supposed to take one every 12 hours, wait six hours) to take your regular dose.
• Never take an antibiotic prescribed for someone else even if you live in the same house and think you have the same symptoms. Without a medical diagnosis, you may be voluntarily poisoning yourself--or worse.
• Lack of "compliance"--taking medications as directed--is the single greatest reason for treatment failure. Antibiotics, like any medicine, can only help if they are taken for the right period in the right doses.
• Never store or hoard antibiotics. Most of these compounds have a shelf life. Using them beyond that period of time or without direction from a healthcare professional can be dangerous.

Resources

• National Institutes of Health MedLine Plus
• Current clinical trials of antibiotics

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