Why are antibiotics used?

Antibiotics are drugs used to kill bacteria. Bacteria can cause infections such as strep throat, ear infections, and pneumonia. These medicines can't cure everything. They don't kill viruses or help with allergies. And they don't help illnesses such as the common cold, the flu, or a runny nose.

Antibiotics are generally safe and very effective at fighting bacterial infections.

What are some examples of antibiotics?

Here are some examples of antibiotics. For each item in the list, the generic name is first, followed by any brand names.

• amoxicillin
• azithromycin (Zithromax)
• cephalexin (Keflex)
• ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

This is not a complete list of antibiotics.

What about side effects?

Some people get diarrhea, nausea, or a yeast infection when they take antibiotics.

General information about side effects

All medicines can cause side effects. Many people don't have side effects. And minor side effects sometimes go away after a while.

But sometimes side effects can be a problem or can be serious.

If you're having problems with side effects, talk to your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change to a different medicine.

Always be sure you get specific information on the medicine you're taking. For a full list of side effects, check the information that came with the medicine you're using. If you have questions, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Cautions about antibiotics

Cautions for antibiotics include the following:

• Don't take antibiotics if you don't need them. If you take them when they're not needed, any bacteria that don't die can change and become harder for the antibiotics to kill in the future. This is called antibiotic resistance.
• Take your antibiotics as directed. This will help make sure your infection is cured. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better.