Antibiotics are medicines used to treat or prevent infections that are caused by a single-celled microorganism.coli, staph infections, and "strep throat" are some of the common infections.In order to purchase oral antibiotics over the counter at most drug stores, you need a prescription from a doctor.Follow her instructions if you want to receive the proper treatment and avoid any possible side effects.
Step 1: You should only take antibiotics that are prescribed for you.
The doctor chooses an antibiotic based on your state of health, your weight, and what is causing your infection.The risk of side effects is minimized by this.Do not take medication that has not been prescribed for you.Your doctor can decide on the treatment plan.Infections can be caused by a variety of organisms.An antibiotic will not treat other types of infections.Don't use an antibiotic for someone else.
Step 2: Tell your doctor and pharmacist what you are taking.
Any drug can interact with the antibiotic.Natural or herbal remedies and even supplements are included.If you don't tell your doctor what you're taking, the effectiveness of the antibiotic may be compromised.You should tell your doctor if you have ever had any problems with medication, including antibiotics.Antibiotics can cause your other medications to be slower or faster.It is possible that the antibiotic will cause a medicine to be absorbed poorly.One of your drugs could affect how the antibiotic is absorbed.What antibiotic the doctor chooses will be influenced by your current medications.The way alcohol is broken down in the body is affected by certain antibiotics.Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and headaches can be caused by this.You shouldn't consume alcohol while using antibiotics.
Step 3: The leaflet that comes with the antibiotic should be read first.
It contains important drug information including how the drug works, what the possible side effects are, and how it may interact with other drugs.When she fills your prescription, your pharmacist will give it to you.If you have questions about what you've read, contact your doctor or pharmacist.If you have a question, they are happy to answer it.Asking if you are unsure is a good idea.
Step 4: The medicine bottle has a label on it.
You should know the prescribed dose and how many times a day it should be taken.Antibiotics can be in capsule, tablet, or liquid forms.Babies and children are more likely to be prescribed the latter.You could be given one or two tablets orcapsules each time.Zithromax requires you to take a double dose on the first day and a single dose the rest of the time.Think about the number of hours in a day.The same amount of time is spent twice a day and four times daily.
Step 5: When your next dose is due, keep track of it.
You can either set an alarm or write it down.It's a good idea to schedule your doses so that they coincide with your normal daily activities.
Step 6: You can schedule your doses around your meals and snacks.
The leaflet will tell you if you should take the antibiotic with food or not.Food can affect the absorption of antibiotics.Food can help prevent the stomach upset caused by other antibiotics.The leaflet will tell you how to take your medication.
Step 7: If you are having trouble taking the antibiotic, tell your doctor.
If you can't swallow a large tablet or the liquid's taste is too unpleasant, take the antibiotic.Antibiotics are an essential part of your treatment.The doctor can either prescribe the antibiotic in a different form or try a totally different antibiotic.
Step 8: Don't skip the antibiotics.
If you forget to take the drug, take it as soon as possible.Wait if it's close to your next dose.Continue with your normal schedule.If you end up missing more than one day, you should call your doctor.She can tell you what to do.You can't maintain therapeutic levels of the antibiotic if you skip doses.The microorganisms are not being destroyed in a proper manner.
Step 9: Do not take more antibiotics.
If you have too much of the antibiotic in your body at once, you are more likely to experience side effects.You may need to take medical action if you accidentally take too many doses.Taking more than the prescribed amount of antibiotic will not compensate for a skipped dose.Antibiotic overdose does not cause severe symptoms in most cases.
Step 10: Take all of your antibiotics.
An incomplete drug course can lead to antibiotic resistance even if you are starting to feel better.You might need a second course of antibiotics.A complete course of antibiotics will allow you enough time to eradicate thebacteria from your system.When you stop taking the antibiotic too early, thebacteria may not be completely cleared from your system.The strongest germs are harder to kill than the rest.The antibiotic may not be as effective against this new strain.Antibiotic resistance is a serious problem, but using antibiotics wisely can help prevent it.
Step 11: If you develop new symptoms while taking the antibiotic, tell your doctor.
Antibiotics can cause stomach upset, vomiting, and vaginal infections.You should read the patient leaflet to learn about the side effects of your antibiotic.Discuss your symptoms with the doctor.She could change the antibiotic.Stomach upset, diarrhea, vaginal infections, and thrush occur because the antibiotic kills the good or normalbacteria along with the bad.Other types of antibiotics or other medications may be needed to treat these issues.Your doctor may suggest that you drink yogurt or take a supplement to help restore the good bacteria.Antibiotics can affect nerves not in the brain or spine.If you have abdominal pain or ringing in your ears, tell your doctor.
Step 12: If you have a sensitivity to sunlight, contact your doctor.
If the antibiotic you are taking may make you more sensitive to the sun, make sure to limit sun exposure or wear sunscreen with SPF 30 when outside to reduce your chance of sunburn.The tetracycline family may cause phototoxicity if you have an allergy to the sun.If you see any of the following symptoms while using an antibiotic, you should talk to your doctor.
Step 13: If you develop any signs of allergy, call your doctor.
There are signs that you should be aware of.An anaphylactic reaction is the most severe form of allergy and can be life threatening.Dizziness Loss of consciousness Labored breathing Swelling of the tongue and airway are symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction.When there is a drop in blood pressure and heart failure, this reaction can lead to anaphylactic shock and death.
Step 14: Inform your doctor if your symptoms get worse.
Sometimes the prescribed antibiotic isn't the right one for fighting the type of infective microorganisms found in your system.If the symptoms of the antibiotic don't improve, talk to your doctor.A general sense of weakness is one of the signs of an inadequately treated infection.A wound can be tender, swollen, hot and red.
Step 15: Before applying creams, clean wounds.
If you have a cut or burn, make sure to clean it before applying any medication.The antibiotic cream should be applied to dry skin.You should wash your hands thoroughly.Clean the wound with water.You can wash the area with soap and water, but avoid getting soap in the wound as it will irritate your skin.To remove debris, use fine-tipped tweezers.Cool water can be run over the burned area.If you want to dry the area with a clean towel, don't rub or scrub it, as you could break the skin or cause irritation.
Step 16: Minor cuts and scrapes can be treated with an OTC antibiotic cream.
Despite claims to the contrary, antibiotics have not been shown to help minor wounds heal faster.They can help keep infections at bay by creating a barrier between the wound and the environment.Only a thin layer should be applied.The cream or ointment will help keep the bandage from sticking.Polymyxin B sulfate is a common OTC antibiotic cream.Don't use an OTC antibiotic cream if you have a rash.Do not apply an OTC antibiotic cream to wounds that are very deep or large.Seek medical help.
Step 17: Mild burns can be treated with antibiotic creams.
First-degree burns can be treated with antibiotics.The burn can be kept moist and a barrier created to prevent infections.A common antibiotic cream for burns is silver sulfadiazine.If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your doctor may prescribe another cream.
Step 18: Follow instructions from your doctor.
Don't apply more antibiotic cream than you're told to, either by your physician or the cream's packagingYou shouldn't apply it more than three times a day.
Step 19: It's a bad idea to use antibiotics on surgical wounds.
Unless you're told otherwise, don't use antibiotics on wounds from surgeries.They can affect the healing process in some cases.Contact dermatitis is a condition that makes your skin red, sore, and irritated.Follow your doctor's instructions if she tells you to apply a antibiotic to a wound.