Terra Pharmaceuticals
Antibiotics
Antibiotics, also known as antibacterials, are powerful drugs that fight against certain infections and can save lives when used correctly. Antibiotics either stop the growth or kill bacteria.
Before bacteria can cause symptoms and harm, our immune system can usually kill them. Our white blood cells attack harmful bacteria, and even if symptoms appear, our immune system can fight the infection. However, in cases where the number of bacteria is too high, antibiotics are needed.
The first developed antibiotic is penicillin. Penicillin-related antibiotics such as ampicillin, amoxicillin, and benzylpenicillin have been widely used for a long time to treat various infections.
Antibiotic resistance
The excessive use of antibiotics worldwide is a cause for concern. This excessive usage contributes to an increasing number of bacterial infections that are becoming resistant to antibacterial drugs.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has stated that antibiotic resistance continues to be a serious public health threat worldwide. In a report published in November 2012, ECDC reported that approximately 25,000 people in the European Union die each year from antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
How Do Antibiotics Work?
Although there are different types of antibiotics, they all work through one of the following two ways:
Bactericidal antibiotics (such as penicillin) kill bacteria; these drugs generally interfere with the formation of bacterial cell walls or their contents.
Bacteriostatic antibiotics stop bacteria from multiplying.
What Are Antibiotics Used For?
Antibiotics are given to treat infections caused by bacteria, not viruses. It is important to determine whether an infection is caused by bacteria or a virus. Most upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold and sore throat, are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are not effective against these viruses.
If antibiotics are overused or used incorrectly, there is a risk of bacteria developing resistance, making the antibiotic less effective against such bacteria.
A broad-spectrum antibiotic can be used to treat a wide range of infections, while a narrow-spectrum antibiotic is effective against only a few types of bacteria. Some antibiotics target aerobic bacteria, while others work against anaerobic bacteria. Aerobic bacteria require oxygen, while anaerobic bacteria do not.
In some cases, antibiotics may be given to prevent an infection, rather than treating it, as in the case of surgical procedures. This is known as "prophylactic use" of antibiotics. They are often used before intestinal and orthopedic surgeries.
Side effects of antibiotics
The most common side effects of antibiotics include diarrhea, nausea, oral and vaginal yeast infections. Rare side effects of antibiotics include the formation of kidney stones (with sulfonamide use), abnormal blood clotting (with certain cephalosporins), sensitivity to sunlight (with tetracycline use), blood disorders (with trimethoprim use), and hearing loss (with erythromycin and aminoglycoside use).
Some patients, especially older adults, may experience inflammatory bowel disease (a type of colitis) that can cause severe bloody diarrhea. Clindamycin, an antibiotic used for the most serious infections, often has this side effect.
Penicillins, cephalosporins, and erythromycin can also cause this side effect, but it is much rarer.
Allergic reactions and interactions
Some individuals may develop allergic reactions to antibiotics, particularly penicillins. Side effects can include rash, swelling of the tongue and face, and shortness of breath.
Allergic reactions to antibiotics can be immediate or delayed hypersensitivity reactions.
Anyone who exhibits an allergic reaction to antibiotics should inform their doctor and/or pharmacist. Reactions to antibiotics can be very serious and sometimes fatal, known as anaphylactic reactions.
Individuals with.
Sources: Nordqvist, C. (2017, January 2). "Antibiotics: All You Need To Know." Medical News Today.
