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Antibiotics are medicines that kill
the bacteria that cause infections.
There are nearly 150 antibiotics and
each work in their own way to kill
bacterias. These include tetracycline's,
aminoglycosides, penicillin's, cephalosporins,
fluoroquinolones, streptogramins,
sulfonamides, and erythromycins. Some
short-circuit the processes by which
bacteria get energy, others disturb
the structure of the bacterial cell
wall, and still others interfere with
the production of essential proteins.
What precautions do I need to take
for antibiotics?
To completely clear up infections
and to help prevent antibiotic resistance,
take antibiotics exactly as directed.
Do not stop taking the medicine just
because symptoms begin to improve.
People who have certain medical conditions
or who are taking certain other medicines
may have problems if they take antibiotics.
What are the likely side effects
of antibiotics?
The most common side effects with
antibiotic drugs are diarrhea, feeling
sick and being sick. Fungal infections
of the mouth, digestive tract and
vagina can also occur with antibiotics
because sometimes they destroy the
protective 'good' bacteria in the
body (which help prevent overgrowth
of any one organism), apart from the
'bad' ones, responsible for the infection.
Rare, but more serious side effects,
include the formation of kidney stones
with the sulfonamides, abnormal blood
clotting with some of the cephalosporins,
increased sensitivity to the sun with
the tetracycline's, blood disorders
with trimethoprim, and deafness with
erythromycin and the aminoglycosides.
Sometimes, particularly in older
people, antibiotic treatment can cause
a type of colitis (inflamed bowel)
leading to severe diarrhea. Penicillin's,
cephalosporins and erythromycin can
all cause this problem but it is most
common with clindamycin, an antibiotic
usually reserved for serious infections.
If you develop diarrhea while taking
an antibiotic, immediately contact
your doctor.
Some people are allergic to antibiotics,
particularly penicillin's, and can
develop Side effects such as a rash,
swelling of the face and tongue, and
difficulty breathing when they take
them. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist
if you have had an allergic reaction
to an antibiotic; sometimes the reaction
can be serious or even fatal. This
is called an anaphylactic reaction.
What are the likely drug interactions
of antibiotics?
Antibiotics may interact with other
prescription and nonprescription medications.
For example, Biaxin (an antibiotic)
should not be taken with Reglan (a
digestive system drug). Antibiotics
may interact with other medicines
as well as with foods. When this happens,
the effects of the antibiotic or the
risk of side effects may be greater.
Anyone who takes antibiotics should
let the physician know all other medicines
he or she is taking.
What are the drugs that come under
antibiotics?
Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic
drug based on the type of bacteria
that has infected you. Some antibiotic
includes drugs such as
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