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Table of Contents
When Are Antibiotics Prescribed?
When Antibiotics Shouldn’t Be Used
The Problem With Antibiotic Resistance
Taking Antibiotics Safely
Are OTC Antibiotics Available?
Learn more about the common types and names of antibiotics, plus information on when antibiotics should and shouldn’t be used.
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Antibioticsare divided into several classes based on how they work and what kinds of conditions they treat. The classes of antibiotics include:
Antibiotics can be taken in several different ways, including:
IV antibiotics are typically reserved for life-threatening infections and infections that have spread.
Which Natural Antibiotics Are the Most Effective?
Antibiotics are most effective in treating certain bacterial infections, such as:
Cephalexin vs. Amoxicillin: Similarities and Differences
Viral infections often clear up without medical intervention, or they require antiviral medications or other forms of treatment. Your healthcare provider can help you decide what treatment will be appropriate and effective for your infection.
Antibiotic-resistant infections may occur when antibiotics aren’t able to kill off certain bacteria. Antibiotic resistance can cause serious health complications, such as organ failure. In some cases, it may even be fatal. There are over 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections in the U.S. each year, resulting in over 35,000 deaths.
You may be more likely to develop an antibiotic-resistant infection if you take antibiotics too often or unnecessarily. Only take antibiotics when you need them. Always finish taking your full course as prescribed (don’t stop when you feel better, continue the number of days on the prescription).
How Long Do Antibiotics Stay in Your System?
While antibiotics are safe and effective for most people, they may sometimes cause side effects. Here are some ways to ensure that you’re taking antibiotics safely:
Allergy Symptoms
Some people develop allergy symptoms after taking antibiotics. Allergic reactions to penicillins are particularly common—an estimated 5% to 15% of people have a penicillin allergy.
You may be experiencing anallergic reactionto an antibiotic if you have any of the following symptoms:
If you start experiencing any of these symptoms, stop taking the antibiotic right away and tell your healthcare provider.
Severe Allergic ReactionIf you experience symptoms ofanaphylaxis(a severe allergic reaction) after taking antibiotics, such as difficulty breathing or swollen tongue or throat, dizziness or fainting, seek immediate medical help.
Severe Allergic Reaction
If you experience symptoms ofanaphylaxis(a severe allergic reaction) after taking antibiotics, such as difficulty breathing or swollen tongue or throat, dizziness or fainting, seek immediate medical help.
Other Side Effects
Outside of allergy symptoms, other common side effects of antibiotics may include:
In rare cases, antibiotics may cause more serious side effects, including:
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical help right away.
Antibiotics During PregnancyMost antibiotics are safe to take during pregnancy. However, some antibiotics—such as fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines—should be avoided if you’re currently pregnant.Let your healthcare provider know if you are pregnant or might be pregnant before you start taking an antibiotic.
Antibiotics During Pregnancy
Most antibiotics are safe to take during pregnancy. However, some antibiotics—such as fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines—should be avoided if you’re currently pregnant.Let your healthcare provider know if you are pregnant or might be pregnant before you start taking an antibiotic.
Neosporin (neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin topical) is an OTC antibiotic ointment used to prevent minor cuts, scrapes, and burns from getting infected.
In some cases,Neosporincan cause an allergic skin reaction. Seek medical help immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:
Neosporin is only effective in treating minor skin injuries. Talk to your healthcare provider instead if you have a burn, deep wound, animal bite, or another more serious injury.
Summary
It’s important to take antibiotics exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. If you take antibiotics too often, you can develop antibiotic-resistant infections.
Common side effects of antibiotics include diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, yeast infections, and black or hairy tongue. If you develop allergy symptoms such as rash, hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing after taking antibiotics, seek medical help right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Antibiotics usually start working toclear up a bacterial infection right away. You may start feeling better in just one to three days. However, it’s important to take your full course of antibiotics, even if your symptoms have already subsided.
Many urinary tract infections (UTIs) go away on their own. According to some research, around 42% of UTIs clear up on their own during the first nine days. If your UTI symptoms persist or get worse, you should seek medical treatment.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic use questions and answers.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic class definitions.Dallo M, Patel K, Hebert A.Topical antibiotic treatment in dermatology.Antibiotics (Basel). 2023 Feb;12(2):188. doi:10.3390/antibiotics12020188McCarthy K.Oral or intravenous antibiotics?.Aust Prescr. 2020 Apr;43(2):45-48. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2020.008Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About antibiotic resistance.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Antibiotics.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic do’s and don’ts.Blumenthal KG, Peter JG, Trubiano JA, Phillips EJ.Antibiotic allergy.Lancet. 2019;393(10167):183-198. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32218-9American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Drug allergies.Bookstaver PB, Bland CM, Griffin B, Stover KR, Eiland LS, McLaughlin M.A review of antibiotic use in pregnancy.Pharmacotherapy. 2015;35(11):1052-1062. doi:10.1002/phar.1649Neosporin.Neosporin + Pain Relief Cream.Kreft B, Wohlrab J.Contact allergies to topical antibiotic applications.Allergol Select. 2022 Feb;6(1):18-26. doi:10.5414/ALX02253EHoffmann T, Peiris R, Mar CD, Cleo G, Glasziou P.Natural history of uncomplicated urinary tract infection without antibiotics: a systematic review.Br J Gen Pract. 2020;70(699):e714-e722. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X712781American Journal of Managed Care.What type of medication can an urgent care doctor prescribe?
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic use questions and answers.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic class definitions.Dallo M, Patel K, Hebert A.Topical antibiotic treatment in dermatology.Antibiotics (Basel). 2023 Feb;12(2):188. doi:10.3390/antibiotics12020188McCarthy K.Oral or intravenous antibiotics?.Aust Prescr. 2020 Apr;43(2):45-48. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2020.008Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About antibiotic resistance.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Antibiotics.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic do’s and don’ts.Blumenthal KG, Peter JG, Trubiano JA, Phillips EJ.Antibiotic allergy.Lancet. 2019;393(10167):183-198. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32218-9American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Drug allergies.Bookstaver PB, Bland CM, Griffin B, Stover KR, Eiland LS, McLaughlin M.A review of antibiotic use in pregnancy.Pharmacotherapy. 2015;35(11):1052-1062. doi:10.1002/phar.1649Neosporin.Neosporin + Pain Relief Cream.Kreft B, Wohlrab J.Contact allergies to topical antibiotic applications.Allergol Select. 2022 Feb;6(1):18-26. doi:10.5414/ALX02253EHoffmann T, Peiris R, Mar CD, Cleo G, Glasziou P.Natural history of uncomplicated urinary tract infection without antibiotics: a systematic review.Br J Gen Pract. 2020;70(699):e714-e722. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X712781American Journal of Managed Care.What type of medication can an urgent care doctor prescribe?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic use questions and answers.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic class definitions.Dallo M, Patel K, Hebert A.Topical antibiotic treatment in dermatology.Antibiotics (Basel). 2023 Feb;12(2):188. doi:10.3390/antibiotics12020188McCarthy K.Oral or intravenous antibiotics?.Aust Prescr. 2020 Apr;43(2):45-48. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2020.008Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About antibiotic resistance.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Antibiotics.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic do’s and don’ts.Blumenthal KG, Peter JG, Trubiano JA, Phillips EJ.Antibiotic allergy.Lancet. 2019;393(10167):183-198. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32218-9American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Drug allergies.Bookstaver PB, Bland CM, Griffin B, Stover KR, Eiland LS, McLaughlin M.A review of antibiotic use in pregnancy.Pharmacotherapy. 2015;35(11):1052-1062. doi:10.1002/phar.1649Neosporin.Neosporin + Pain Relief Cream.Kreft B, Wohlrab J.Contact allergies to topical antibiotic applications.Allergol Select. 2022 Feb;6(1):18-26. doi:10.5414/ALX02253EHoffmann T, Peiris R, Mar CD, Cleo G, Glasziou P.Natural history of uncomplicated urinary tract infection without antibiotics: a systematic review.Br J Gen Pract. 2020;70(699):e714-e722. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X712781American Journal of Managed Care.What type of medication can an urgent care doctor prescribe?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic use questions and answers.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic class definitions.
Dallo M, Patel K, Hebert A.Topical antibiotic treatment in dermatology.Antibiotics (Basel). 2023 Feb;12(2):188. doi:10.3390/antibiotics12020188
McCarthy K.Oral or intravenous antibiotics?.Aust Prescr. 2020 Apr;43(2):45-48. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2020.008
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About antibiotic resistance.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Antibiotics.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic do’s and don’ts.
Blumenthal KG, Peter JG, Trubiano JA, Phillips EJ.Antibiotic allergy.Lancet. 2019;393(10167):183-198. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32218-9
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Drug allergies.
Bookstaver PB, Bland CM, Griffin B, Stover KR, Eiland LS, McLaughlin M.A review of antibiotic use in pregnancy.Pharmacotherapy. 2015;35(11):1052-1062. doi:10.1002/phar.1649
Neosporin.Neosporin + Pain Relief Cream.
Kreft B, Wohlrab J.Contact allergies to topical antibiotic applications.Allergol Select. 2022 Feb;6(1):18-26. doi:10.5414/ALX02253E
Hoffmann T, Peiris R, Mar CD, Cleo G, Glasziou P.Natural history of uncomplicated urinary tract infection without antibiotics: a systematic review.Br J Gen Pract. 2020;70(699):e714-e722. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X712781
American Journal of Managed Care.What type of medication can an urgent care doctor prescribe?
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