The antibiotic is a medicine used to fight sensitive microorganisms that cause diseases such as bacteria, parasites or fungi and should only be used if recommended by the doctor.
Antibiotics are used to treat various types of infections, such as urinary tract infections, ear infections, tonsils, rhinitis, bronchitis, bronchitis, bronchitis, bronchitis, urinary tract infection, ear, kidney, skin, bone, genitals, abdominal cavity, or pneumonia, for example.
If used improperly or without medical advice, they can cause unnecessary resistance and side effects, since antibiotics can also eliminate bacteria that are beneficial to the body, such as those in the intestines and skin, which can lead to candidiasis, diarrhea or infections of skin, making treatment of the disease more difficult.
Common Doubts About Antibiotics
1. Taking antibiotics get fat?
Usually antibiotics do not have the side effect of weight loss or increased 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.
2. Antibiotic cuts contraceptive effect?
There are few antibiotics that reduce the effect of contraceptives, as evidenced by recent studies in which only rifampicin and rifabutin have been shown to interfere with its action. Find out 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 fully absorbed if diarrhea occurs within 4 hours of taking the drug. In such cases it is advisable to use a condom as long as the diarrhea stops for up to 7 days afterwards.
3. Do I need to take the antibiotic box to the end?
The antibiotic should always be taken until the end or for as long as the doctor indicates, even when 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 they should not, because the bacteria responsible for causing the infection may not have all been cleared. Thus, upon discontinuation of treatment, they may re-multiply, re-developing the disease, and in addition, may develop resistance to the compounds used, rendering the antibiotic ineffective in the future.
4. Why does the antibiotic cause diarrhea?
Diarrhea is a common side effect of antibiotics, which arises due to the effect of the antibiotic on the intestinal flora. What happens is that antibiotics are medicines that eliminate bacteria sensitive to certain compounds, thereby eliminating both bad and good bacteria, which causes changes in the functioning of the intestine.
Learn how to fight against diarrhea caused by antibiotics.
5. Does alcohol cut off the effect of the antibiotic?
Alcohol does not block the effect of the antibiotic, but it may decrease its effectiveness because alcohol has a diuretic effect, which may facilitate the withdrawal of the drug into the urine and decrease its concentration in the bloodstream and may not be effective for treatment. In addition, the use of alcohol and antibiotic at the same time can overload the liver, since both are not metabolized in this organ, so the bioavailability of the drug can be impaired and may increase the toxicity of the antibiotic.
For these reasons, physicians usually recommend that there be no alcohol ingestion during treatment, because there are specific antibiotics that can not even be ingested with alcohol, such as Metronidazole, Tinidazole, Cefoxitin and the combination of Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim, as it is toxic to the body and can cause unpleasant symptoms such as vomiting, palpitations, heat, excessive sweating, difficulty breathing, headache and hypotension.
What are the most commonly used antibiotics
Some of the most commonly used antibiotics for treating infections include:
Ciprofloxacin : Known commercially as Cipro or Cipro XR, it is a remedy indicated for the treatment of respiratory infections in the ear, eyes, kidneys, skin, bones or reproductive organs, as well as for the treatment of generalized infections. The recommended doses of this antibiotic range from 250 to 1500 mg per day, depending on the age and severity of the infection to be treated. See more about dosage, 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 range from 750 mg to 1500 mg per day, depending on the severity of the infection to be treated. In addition, it may be associated with clavulanic acid, in order to reduce resistance of the bacteria to the antibiotic. Learn more about Amoxicillin.
Azithromycin: Indicated for the treatment of upper and lower 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 Neisseria gonorrhoeae . It is also indicated in the treatment of cancer caused by Haemophilus ducreyi . Generally, the recommended doses range from 500 to 1000 mg per day, depending on the infection to be treated. Learn more about azithromycin.
Cephalexin : It may also be known by the trade names Keflex, Keforal or Keflaxin, and is generally indicated for the treatment of respiratory tract infections, otitis media, skin and soft tissue infections, urinary infections and bone infections. Generally, doses ranging from 750 to 1500 mg per day are recommended, depending on the severity of the infection being treated. Here's how to take Cephalexin.
Tetracycline : Commercially known as Tetracyl or Tetrex. It is an antibiotic that is generally indicated for the treatment of infections caused by organisms sensitive to tetracycline, such as brucellosis, gingivitis, gonorrhea or syphilis, for example. Generally, the recommended doses range from 1500 to 2000 mg per day. See the Tetracycline label.
It is important to always keep in mind that all antibiotics should be taken according to the indications given by the doctor, respecting the duration of treatment, even when improvements are seen. Dose times should also be respected at all times to ensure that the treatment has the desired effect.
