Most common questions about antibiotics and which ones are most used

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, in the ear, eyes, kidneys, skin, bones, genitals, abdominal cavity, joints or respiratory and digestive tract, sinusitis, boils, infected ulcers, tonsillitis, rhinitis, bronchitis or pneumonia, for example.

If used incorrectly 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 that live in the intestines and on the skin, and can lead to the appearance of candidiasis, diarrhea or infections. skin, making treatment of the disease more difficult.

Common questions about antibiotics

1. Is taking antibiotics fattening?

Antibiotics generally do not have the side effect of losing weight or increasing appetite, however, some of them can cause poor digestion and excess gas, which can cause bloating in the abdomen, which can be mistaken for weight gain.

2. Antibiotic cuts the effect of the contraceptive?

Few antibiotics reduce the effect of contraceptives, which is confirmed by recent studies, in which only rifampicin and rifabutin have been shown to interfere with their action. Know 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 completely absorbed if the diarrhea occurs within 4 hours of taking the medication. In these cases, it is advisable to use a condom, as long as the diarrhea stops within 7 days.

3. Do I need to take the antibiotic box to the end?

The antibiotic should always be taken until the end or as long as the doctor tells you to, 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 shouldn't, because the bacteria responsible for causing the infection may not have all been eliminated. Thus, with the interruption of treatment they can multiply again, developing the disease again and, in addition, they can develop resistance to the compounds used, making 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 antibiotic's effect on intestinal flora. What happens is that antibiotics are drugs that eliminate bacteria sensitive to certain compounds, thus eliminating both bad and good bacteria, which causes changes in the functioning of the intestine.

Learn how to fight diarrhea caused by antibiotics.

5. Does alcohol cut the effect of the antibiotic?

Alcohol does not stop the effect of the antibiotic, but it can decrease its effectiveness because alcohol has a diuretic effect, which can facilitate the exit of the medicine in the urine and decrease its concentration in the blood stream, and it may not be effective for the treatment. In addition, the use of alcohol and antibiotics at the same time can overload the liver, as both are not metabolized in this organ, thus the bioavailability of the drug can be impaired, and may also increase the toxicity of the antibiotic.

For these reasons, doctors usually recommend that there is no alcohol intake during treatment, because there are specific antibiotics that cannot even be ingested with alcohol, such as Metronidazole, Tinidazole, Cefoxitin and the combination of Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim, since in addition to being toxic to the body, it can cause unpleasant symptoms, such as vomiting, palpitations, heat, excessive sweating, difficulty breathing, headache and hypotension.

What are the most used antibiotics

Some of the most commonly used antibiotics to treat infections include:

• Ciprofloxacino: 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 vary between 250 and 1500 mg per day, depending on the age and severity of the infection being 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, of the skin and mucous membranes. This antibiotic belongs to the penicillin group and the recommended doses vary between 750 mg and 1500 mg per day, depending on the severity of the infection to be treated. In addition, it can be combined with clavulanic acid, in order to reduce bacteria resistance to the antibiotic. Learn more about Amoxicillin.

  Azithromycin: Indicated for the treatment of infections of the lower and upper respiratory tract, such as sinusitis, pharyngitis or tonsillitis, infections of the skin and soft tissues, acute otitis media and in uncomplicated sexually transmitted diseases in men and women, caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae . It is also indicated for the treatment of cancer caused by Haemophilus ducreyi . Generally, the recommended doses vary between 500 and 1000 mg per day, depending on the infection being treated. Learn more about azithromycin.

  Cephalexin: It may also be known by the trade names Keflex, Keforal or Keflaxina, 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 Tetracilil 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 vary between 1500 and 2000 mg per day. See the Tetracycline leaflet.

It is important to keep in mind that all antibiotics should be taken according to the instructions given by the doctor, respecting the duration of treatment, even when improvements are noted. Dosing schedules should also always be respected, to ensure that the treatment has the desired effect.