The Importance of Appropriate Antibiotic Use: Avoiding Resistance and Side Effects

What are antibiotics?

Antibiotics refer to potent medications that can effectively treat specific infections and can be life-saving if used appropriately. They work by either halting the growth of bacteria or eliminating them entirely.

Normally, the immune system can eliminate bacteria before they multiply and cause any symptoms. White blood cells (WBCs) attack harmful bacteria, and even if symptoms manifest, the immune system can typically handle and fight off the infection.

However, in some cases, the number of harmful bacteria is too high, and the immune system is unable to eradicate all of them. In such situations, antibiotics are beneficial.

Penicillin was the first antibiotic discovered, and antibiotics based on it, such as penicillin G, ampicillin, and amoxicillin, have been in use for several years to treat various infections.

There are numerous modern antibiotics available, but in the United States, they are usually only accessible with a prescription. Topical antibiotics, on the other hand, are available over-the-counter (OTC) in the form of creams and ointments.

How do antibiotics work?

There are various kinds of antibiotics, each functioning uniquely. Nonetheless, the two primary methods they operate are:

Bactericidal antibiotics, like penicillin, eliminate bacteria. These medications usually hinder the formation of the bacterial cell wall or its cell contents.

Bacteriostatic antibiotics prevent bacteria from multiplying.

It can take a few hours or days after the initial dose before individuals notice an improvement in their symptoms or start feeling better.

Types of antibiotic.

Antibiotic Types & Function.

There are different types of antibiotics, which work in their unique way. However, the two main they work include:

A bactericidal antibiotic, such as penicillin, kills the bacteria. These drugs usually interfere with either the formation of the bacterial cell wall or its cell contents.

A bacteriostatic stops bacteria from multiplying.

It may take a few hours or days after taking the first dose before people feel better or their symptoms improve.

There are various kinds of antibiotics, each functioning uniquely. Nonetheless, the two primary methods they operate are:

Bactericidal antibiotics, like penicillin, eliminate bacteria. These medications usually hinder the formation of the bacterial cell wall or its cell contents.

Bacteriostatic antibiotics prevent bacteria from multiplying.

It can take a few hours or days after the initial dose before individuals notice an improvement in their symptoms or start feeling better.

Antibiotics are categorized into various classes or groups based on their chemical structure. Some of these classes are as follows:

Examples

Penicillins amoxicillin (Amoxil)

Macrolides azithromycin (Zithromax) and erythromycin (Ery-Tab)

Cephalosporins cephalexin (Keflex) and cefdinir (Omnicef)

Fluoroquinolones ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and levofloxacin (Levaquin)

Beta-lactams with increased activity amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin)

Urinary anti-infectives nitrofurantoin (Macrobid)

Lincosamides clindamycin (Cleocin)

It's important to note that this list is not exhaustive, and there exist other classes and brand names of antibiotics. Additionally, beta-lactam drugs may include subclasses such as penicillins, cephalosporins, and others.

Why is it important to take antibiotics when needed?

Experts recommend using antibiotics only when necessary to ensure that the bacteria causing an infection is eliminated and prevented from multiplying and spreading to other parts of the body. Antibiotic use can sometimes result in side effects and antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance occurs when germs no longer respond to the antibiotic designed to kill them, and inappropriate prescription of antibiotics is driving up the incidence of antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic misuse can occur when the wrong medication or dosage is prescribed, or when people do not take antibiotics as directed by their doctor. To avoid misuse, people should finish their entire treatment course and avoid sharing antibiotics with others, even if they have the same symptoms. In the United States alone, around 47 million antibiotic courses are inappropriately prescribed, meaning the patient's illness did not require antibiotics.

Certain bacteria, such as Enterobacterales, can become resistant to carbapenems, a major class of last-line antibiotics. This resistance poses a significant concern for people in healthcare settings. Experts believe that carbapenem resistance may lead to a greater incidence of disease, a reduction in the effectiveness of initial antibiotic therapy, and poorer outcomes.

Antibiotics are prescribed by doctors to treat bacterial infections, but they are not effective against viruses. Overusing or incorrectly using antibiotics can lead to bacterial resistance, which means that the antibiotic becomes less effective against that type of bacterium. A broad-spectrum antibiotic can treat a wide range of infections, while a narrow-spectrum antibiotic is only effective against a few types of bacteria. Some antibiotics attack aerobic bacteria, which require oxygen, while others work against anaerobic bacteria, which do not need oxygen.

In some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed before surgery to prevent infection, known as "prophylactic" use. People commonly receive these antibiotics before bowel and orthopedic surgery. It's important to understand the difference between bacterial and viral infections to treat them effectively and avoid overuse of antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is now considered one of the greatest public health challenges.

Side effect :

Antibiotics can cause a range of side effects, including:

Diarrhea

Nausea

Vomiting

Rash

Upset stomach

Sensitivity to sunlight (with tetracyclines)

Fungal infections of the mouth, digestive tract, and vagina (with certain antibiotics or prolonged use)

In some cases, antibiotics can cause uncommon side effects, such as:

Low platelet count (with cephalosporins, penicillins, and other antibiotics)

Severe aches and pains (with fluoroquinolones)

Hearing loss (with macrolides or aminoglycosides)

Low granulocyte count (with penicillin)

Formation of kidney stones (with sulfonamides)

Older adults are at a higher risk of developing a C.difficile infection, which can lead to severe, bloody diarrhea and bowel inflammation.

Antibiotic Allergies

Antibiotics, particularly penicillin, can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. These reactions may result in the following symptoms:

Hives or a raised rash

Swelling of the tongue and face

Coughing or wheezing

Difficulty breathing

Allergic reactions to antibiotics can occur immediately or can be delayed, meaning they can occur within an hour or several weeks after taking the drug.

If an individual experiences an allergic reaction to an antibiotic, they must inform their doctor or pharmacist. Although rare, severe and even fatal allergic reactions to antibiotics can occur, called anaphylactic reactions.

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction that can develop suddenly and cause symptoms such as:

Hives

Swelling of the face or mouth

Wheezing or fast, shallow breathing

A fast heart rate

Clammy skin

Anxiety or confusion

Dizziness

Vomiting

Blue or white lips

Fainting or loss of consciousness

If someone experiences these symptoms, it is important to:

Check whether they have an epinephrine pen and use it according to the instructions on the pen.

Dial 911 or the nearest emergency department.

Lay the person down if they were standing and turn them onto their side if they vomit.

Stay with them until emergency services arrive.

In some cases, more than one epinephrine injection may be necessary. If symptoms do not improve in 5-15 minutes or return, a second pen may be needed.

Individuals with impaired liver or kidney function should use antibiotics with caution, as this may impact the types of antibiotics they can take or the dose they require. Additionally, pregnant or nursing individuals should consult with their doctor regarding the safest antibiotics to use.

Learn about antibiotics, a type of medication that destroys or slows down bacterial growth. Doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial infections by killing bacteria and preventing them from multiplying. Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections such as colds, flu, and most coughs. The article explains what antibiotics are, how they work, their potential side effects, antibiotic resistance, and the importance of taking antibiotics only when necessary. Antibiotic resistance is when germs no longer respond to the antibiotic designed to kill them, which can happen if antibiotics are overused or misused. Knowing whether an infection is bacterial or viral is important because antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics come in various classes, such as penicillins, macrolides, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and beta-lactams with increased activity. There are also topical antibiotics available in over-the-counter creams and ointments. writing