infections
Overview of Antibiotics
Taking Antibiotics
For severe bacterial infections or for people who cannot keep down food or liquids, Oral route (usually into a vein but sometimes into a muscle). When the infection is controlled, For less severe infections, antibiotics can often be taken by mouth from the start. When doctors prescribe antibiotics for older people, they may prescribe a lower dose than usual because the kidneys tend to function less well as people age. In such cases, the kidneys may not be able to eliminate antibiotics from the body as effectively, increasing the risk of side effects. (See also Aging and Medications .) Doctors also consider the following: What other drugs the person is taking because older people tend to take many drugs and drug interactions are a risk Whether the antibiotic regimen is complex and hard to follow Whether the person has family members or caregivers who can help the person take the antibiotic as prescribed Whether the person lives in a nursing home because different bacteria may cause infections in such situations Antibiotics need to be taken until the infecting bacteria are eliminated from the body, which may be days after the symptoms disappear. Stopping treatment too soon can result in a return of the infection. A doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can explain how the prescribed antibiotic should be taken and what side effects it may have. Some antibiotics must be taken on an empty stomach. Others should be taken with food. Metronidazole and Tinidazole , a common antibiotic, causes an unpleasant reaction with alcohol. Also, some antibiotics can interact with other drugs that people may be taking, possibly reducing the effectiveness or increasing the side effects of the antibiotic or the other drugs. Some antibiotics make the Antibiotics are sometimes used to prevent infections (called prophylaxis). For example, prophylactic antibiotics may be given to People who have been exposed to a person with meningitis to prevent meningitis from developing Some people with abnormal or artificial heart valves before dental and surgical procedures to prevent bacteria from infecting the damaged or artificial valves (such procedures can allow bacteria to enter the body) People undergoing surgery that has a high risk of introducing an infection (such as major orthopedic or intestinal surgery) To avoid the development of Antibiotic resistance in bacteria and side effects in people, doctors usually give preventive antibiotics for only a short time. Antibiotics may also be given to people who have a Infections in People With Impaired Defenses , such as people with leukemia, people taking chemotherapy for cancer, or people with AIDS, because such people are particularly susceptible to serious infections. They may need to take the antibiotics for a long time. Generally, antibiotics are used during pregnancy only when the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks. Some antibiotics are safer than others. Penicillins , Most antibiotics pass into breast milk in large enough amounts to affect a breastfed baby and sometimes cannot be used in women who are breastfeeding. Sometimes a decision to stop breastfeeding or to not use the drug must be made. If an infection develops during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, women should talk to their doctor about the benefits and risks of treatment. (See also Medication and Substance Use During Breastfeeding .) 