Adverse effect of Antibiotics on Human Health
Antibiotics, also known as antibacterials, are medications that destroy or slow down the growth of bacteria.
They include a range of powerful drugs and are used to treat diseases caused by bacteria.
Antibiotics cannot treat viral infections, such as cold, flu, and most coughs.
This article will explain what antibiotics are, how they work, any potential side effects, and antibiotic resistance.
What are Antibiotics?
Antibiotics are powerful medicines that fight certain infections and can save lives when used properly. They either stop bacteria from reproducing or destroy them. Before bacteria can multiply and cause symptoms, the immune system can typically kill them. White blood cells (WBCs) attack harmful bacteria and, even if symptoms do occur, the immune system can usually cope and fight off the infection. Sometimes, however, the number of harmful bacteria is excessive, and the immune system cannot fight them all. Antibiotics are useful in this scenario. The first antibiotic was penicillin. Penicillin-based antibiotics, such as ampicillin, amoxicillin, and penicillin G, are still available to treat a variety of infections and have been around for a long time. Several types of modern antibiotics are available, and they are usually only available with a prescription in most countries. Topical antibiotics are available in over-the-counter (OTC) creams and ointments.
What are the side effects of antibiotics?
Doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. Most of the side effects associated with antibiotics are not life-threatening. In some cases, however, antibiotics can cause severe side effects, such as anaphylaxis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adverse reactions to antibiotics are responsible for 1 in 5 medication-related emergency room visits. People should always talk with a doctor if antibiotics cause bothersome symptoms, then what is the alternate?
Common side effects of antibiotics
People take antibiotics to clear bacterial infections. However, antibiotics may cause adverse side effects in some people.
Side effects may include:
1. Digestive problems
Issues with digestion are one of the most commonly reported side effects of taking antibiotics.
Symptoms of digestion problems include:
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- bloating
- Feeling of fullness
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach cramping or pain
Most digestive problems go away once someone stops take an antibiotic.
Anyone experiencing severe or persistent symptoms should stop taking the antibiotics and talk with a doctor.
Severe symptoms include:
- Blood or mucus in stool
- Severe diarrhea
- Intense stomach cramping or pain
- Fever
- Uncontrollable vomiting
To decrease the risk of developing digestive issues, be sure to read the instructions that come with the medication.
2. Fungal infections
Antibiotics are designed to kill harmful bacteria. However, they sometimes kill the good bacteria that protect people from fungal infections.
As a result, many people taking antibiotics develop fungal infections in the:
- Vagina
- Mouth
- Throat
People taking antibiotics or who have taken them and think they may have a fungal infection should talk with their doctor as soon as possible.
Antifungal medications treat fungal infections in most cases.
Symptoms of common fungal infections include:
- Vaginal itchiness, swelling, and soreness
- Pain and a burning sensation during intercourse and when peeing
- Abnormal vaginal discharge, usually white-to-grey and lumpy
- Fever and chills
- A white, thick coating in the mouth and throat
- Pain while eating or swallowing
- White patches on the throat, cheeks, roof of the mouth, or tongue
- Loss of taste
- A cottony feeling in the mouth
3. Drug interactions
Some common medications interact with certain antibiotics. These include:
- Blood thinners
- Birth Control medications (may only occur with rifamycins)
- Antacids
- Antihistamines
- Multivitamins and some supplements, especially those high in zinc, iron, and calcium
- Non-Steroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
- Psoriasis medications
- Rheumatoid Arthritis medications
- diuretics
- antifungals
- Diabetes medications
- muscle relaxants
- steroids
- Parkinson’s disease medications
- Cyclosporine
- Lithium
- Retinoids and Vitamin A supplements
- Cholesterol medications, including statins
- Migraine medications
- Gout medications
- Tricyclic antidepressants
People should always tell a doctor or pharmacist about all medications they are taking to help avoid interactions. The pamphlet in the package should also list any drugs that might interact with that specific type of antibiotic.
4. Photosensitivity
Many types of antibiotics make the skin more sensitive to the sun (photosensitive).
While taking antibiotics that may cause photosensitivity, people should:
- avoid prolonged periods of light exposure
- always use high-SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreens when in the sun
- wear protective clothing when in the sun, such as hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants
Anyone who experiences extreme sensitivity to the sun while taking antibiotics should talk to a doctor.
5. Teeth and bone staining
Some estimates suggest that 3 to 6 percent of the people who take tetracycline develop stains on their teeth enamel. The staining is irreversible in adults because their teeth do not regrow or change. Staining can also appear on some bones. However, bones are continuously remodeling themselves, so bone stains caused by antibiotics are typically reversible. Talk to a doctor about switching medications if taking antibiotics causes tooth discoloration or staining.
Rare and more severe side effects
Some of the more serious side effects associated with antibiotics include:
1. Anaphylaxis
In rare cases, antibiotics can cause an extremely severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.
Signs of anaphylaxis include:
- A rapid heartbeat
- Hives or a red, itchy rash
- Feelings of uneasiness and agitation
- Tingling sensations and dizziness
- General itchiness and hives over large portions of the body
- Swelling under the skin
- Swelling of the mouth, throat, and face
- Severe wheezing, coughing, and trouble breathing
- Low blood pressure
- Fainting
- Seizures
Anaphylaxis generally develops within 15 minutes of taking an antibiotic, but anaphylaxis can occur up to an hour or more after a dose.
Anaphylaxis can be fatal without immediate emergency care. If people suspect anaphylaxis, they should dial the emergency services or go to the emergency room right away.
2. Clostridium difficile-induced colitis
Clostridium difficile, or C. difficile, is a type of bacteria that can infect the large intestine and cause Clostridium difficile-induced colitis, an infection that causes intestinal inflammation and severe diarrhea.
C-difficile-induced colitis is challenging to treat because the bacterium is resistant to most antibiotics available.
Severe, chronic, or untreated cases of C-difficile-induced colitis can lead to death.
Anyone who has any concerns about developing an antimicrobial-resistant infection when taking antibiotics should talk to a doctor.
3. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Some bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics.
Some infections caused by an antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria do not respond to any available antibiotics.
Antibacterial-resistant infections can be severe and potentially life-threatening.
Ways to help reduce the risk of developing antibiotic-resistant infections include:
- Taking prescribed antibiotics exactly as directed
- Always completing all antibiotic doses prescribed even if symptoms have gone away
- Never taking antibiotics prescribed to someone else
- Never taking antibiotics that are out-of-date or old
- Talking with a doctor about alternatives to antibiotics
- Only using antibiotics when necessary for bacterial infections
- Making sure that older people or those with disabilities have someone who can help them take their medications correctly
- Not taking antibiotics for symptoms of the common cold or flu, such as a runny nose, cough, or wheezing
- Avoiding use of antibiotics frequently or for extended periods unless necessary
- Returning unused antibiotics to a pharmacy or putting them in the regular trash
- Never flushing unused or extra antibiotics down the toilet or a drain
- Never breaking up or crushing antibiotic pills or tablets
- Avoiding fruit and fruit juices, dairy, and alcohol for 3 hours after taking an antibiotic dose