The antibiotic is a drug used to control sensitive microorganisms that cause diseases, such as bacteria, parasites or fungi, and should only be used on a doctor’s recommendation.
Antibiotics are used to treat various types of infections, such as urinary tract, ear, eyes, kidneys, skin, bones, genitals, abdominal cavity, joints or airways and digestives, sinusitis, boils, infected ulcers, tonsillitis, rhinitis. , bronchitis or pneumonia.
- If used incorrectly or without medical advice.
- They can cause unnecessary resistance and side effects.
- As antibiotics can also eliminate bacteria that benefit the body.
- Such as those that live in the intestines and skin.
- And can lead to the development of thrush.
- Diarrhoea or infections.
- Which makes it difficult to treat the disease.
Antibiotics generally do not have the side effect of losing weight or increasing appetite, however, some of them can cause poor digestion and excess gas, which can cause swelling in the abdomen, which can be confused with weight gain.
Few antibiotics reduce the effect of contraceptives, which is confirmed by recent studies, in which only rifampicin and rifabutin interfere with its action. Know what to do in these cases.
However, as one of the most common side effects of most antibiotics is diarrhea, there is a risk that the contraceptive will not be completely absorbed if diarrhea occurs within 4 hours of taking the drug. In these cases, it is advisable to use a condom, provided that diarrhea ceases in 7 days.
The antibiotic should always be taken until the end or when the doctor requests it, even if there are signs of improvement after 3 to 5 days of treatment.
In some cases, people who feel better tend to stop taking the antibiotic before the recommended time, but should not, as the bacteria responsible for the infection may not have been eliminated. Thus, with discontinuation of treatment, they can multiply again, redevelop the disease and, in addition, can develop resistance to the compounds used, making the antibiotic ineffective in the future.
Diarrhoea is a common side effect of antibiotics, which occurs due to the effect of antibiotic on intestinal flora. What happens is that antibiotics are drugs that eliminate bacteria sensitive to certain compounds, thus eliminating bad and good bacteria, causing changes in the functioning of the intestine.
Learn how to fight antibiotic-induced diarrhea
Alcohol does not stop the effect of the antibiotic, but it can decrease its effectiveness because alcohol has a diuretic effect, which can facilitate the release of the drug into the urine and decrease its concentration in the bloodstream, and may not be effective for treatment. In addition, simultaneous use of alcohol and antibiotics can overload the liver, as both are not metabolized in this organ, so the bioavailability of the drug may be affected and may also increase the toxicity of the antibiotic.
For these reasons, doctors generally recommend not consuming alcohol during treatment, as there are specific antibiotics that can not even be ingested with alcohol, such as metronidazole, tinidazole, cefoxitin and the combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, because in addition to being toxic to the body, it can cause unpleasant symptoms such as vomiting. , palpitations, heat, excessive sweating, shortness of breath, headaches and hypotension.
Some of the most commonly used antibiotics to treat infections include:
Ciprofloxacin: Commercially known as Cipro or Cipro XR, it is a drug indicated for the treatment of airways, ears, oculars, renals, renals, skins, bone or reproductive organs, as well as for the treatment of generalized infections. The recommended doses of this antibiotic vary between 250 and 1500 mg a day, depending on the age and severity of the infection to be treated. Learn more about dosages, contraindications and side effects.
Amoxicillin: Indicated for the treatment of infections caused by bacteria, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, urinary or vaginal infections, skin and mucous membranes. This antibiotic belongs to the penicillin group and the recommended doses vary between 750 mg and 1500 mg daily, depending on the severity of the infection to be treated. In addition, it can be associated with clavulanic acid, in order to reduce the resistance of bacteria to the antibiotic. Learn more about amoxicillin.
Azithromycin: Indicated in the treatment of lower and upper respiratory tract infections, such as sinusitis, pharyngitis or tonsillitis, skin and soft tissue infections, acute otitis media and uncomplicated sexually transmitted diseases in men and women, caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and Neiss goreriahoenorae. . It is also indicated for the treatment of cancer caused by Haemophilus ducreyi. Generally, recommended doses range from 500 to 1000 mg per day, depending on the infection being treated. Learn more about azithromycin.
Keexin: It may also be known by the trade names Keflex, Keforal or Keflaxine, and is generally indicated for the treatment of respiratory tract infections, otitis media, skin and soft tissue infections, urinary tract infections and bone infections. In general, doses ranging from 750 to 1500 mg per day are recommended, depending on the severity of the infection to be treated. Here’s how to take cephalexin.
Tetracycline: commercially known as Tetracilil or Tetrex. It is a commonly indicated antibiotic for the treatment of infections caused by tetracycline-sensitive organisms, such as brucellosis, gingivitis, gonorrhea or syphilis. Generally, recommended doses range from 1500 to 2000 mg per day. See tetracycline warning.
It is important to note that all antibiotics should be taken according to the instructions given by the doctor, respecting the duration of treatment, even when improvements are observed. Dosage regimens should also always be followed to ensure that treatment has the desired effect.