Side Effects of Antibiotics: Full Guide 2023
Do you think you have detailed information about the side effects of antibiotics? You can find everything that interests you about this subject in this article.
Doctors prescribe antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infections. Most of the side effects associated with antibiotics are mild side effects. However, some types of antibiotics can cause more serious side effects than others.
Side Effects of Antibiotics
Effects of Antibiotics on the Digestive System
The most obvious side effects that affect the digestive system are:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Swelling
- Indigestion
- Stomach ache
- Anorexia
- Abdominal cramps
These symptoms are usually mild and disappear after treatment is completed.
Antibiotic Side Effects Due to Allergic Reactions
Some people have an allergic reaction to certain antibiotics, especially penicillin and cephalosporins. These sensitivity reactions range in severity from mild to moderate.
The most prominent side effects that occur are as follows:
- Skin rash
- Itching
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- High fever
- Urticaria
- Wheezing
- Runny nose
Serious Antibiotic Side Effects
In some rare cases, serious and dangerous allergic reactions called anaphylaxis can occur.
The most obvious side effects that can occur are:
- Dizziness or feeling faint
- To faint
- Difficulty breathing
- Tachycardia
- Moist skin
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Severe skin rash
- Urticaria on large parts of the body
- Angioedema
- Swelling in the mouth, throat and face
- Stomach ache
Other Side Effects of Antibiotics
Other side effects of antibiotics are as follows:
- Photosensitivity: Tetracyclines make the skin more sensitive to sunlight and other light sources in general.
- Colitis: Colitis can result from overuse of antibiotics.
- Severe pain: Fluoroquinolones cause some severe pain and in these cases can affect the joints, muscles and nervous system. The most prominent of these side effects are:
- Pain in tendons, muscles or joints
- Tingling and numbness
- Heart problems
- More Rare Side Effects
- Kidney stones due to sulfonamides
- Blood coagulation due to cephalosporins
- Defect in blood values due to trimethoprim
- Intestinal inflammation and acute bloody diarrhea, especially in the elderly
Benefits of Antibiotics
Antibiotics help stop bacterial infections by eliminating them.
The most common types of infections that can be treated with antibiotics include:
- Certain ear and sinus infections
- Dental infections
- Skin infections
- Meningitis
- Bladder and kidney infections
- Bacterial pneumonia
- Whooping cough
- IBS antibiotic
- Acne
Interaction of Antibiotics with Drugs
Some antibiotics interact with some commonly used medications.
Examples of such drug groups are:
- Blood thinners
- Antacids
- Antihistamines
- Dietary supplements. For example: zinc, iron and calcium.
- Rheumatoid arthritis medications
- Antifungals
- Diabetes medications
Spectrum Types of Antibiotics
Broad-spectrum antibiotics: These are antibiotics that can act on many different types of bacteria.
Narrow-spectrum antibiotics: Bacterial strains that act on certain types of bacteria.
Can Antibiotic Users Be Vaccinated?
The use of antibiotics does not prevent a person from being vaccinated.
Advice for People Using Antibiotics
The person who will use antibiotics should consider some important points such as:
- The instructions supplied with the medicine should be read carefully to avoid any risk of side effects.
- The physician should be informed about these drugs so that the doctor does not prescribe any antibiotics that may interact with the drugs used.
- Prolonged exposure to light should be avoided and sunscreen should be used before going outside, especially when taking photosensitizing antibiotics.
- Antibiotics that are out of date or not stored under appropriate conditions should not be used.
- Antibiotics should only be used when needed for bacterial infection.
- The antibiotic should be taken as directed by the physician and the entire treatment should be completed to prevent the bacteria from re-infecting.
- Since some antibiotics are taken on an empty stomach, and some are taken one hour before or two hours after a meal, instructions on how to take the medication must be followed for the medication to be effective.
- Because bacteria become resistant as a result of excessive and unnecessary antibiotic consumption, they are less effective against infections and bacteria that cause infections.
- When using antibiotics, care should be taken to avoid further complications, especially in people with liver or kidney dysfunction.
- Pregnancy category should be learned and a doctor should be consulted before taking any antibiotic to avoid serious complications that can affect a pregnant woman, mother and fetus.
When to Consult a Doctor While Taking Antibiotics
If any of the following symptoms are experienced, antibiotics should be discontinued and a doctor should be consulted immediately.
Symptoms are as follows:
- Blood in stool
- Severe diarrhea
- Severe stomach cramps
- Severe stomach pain
- Fever
- Uncontrollable vomiting
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