Antibiotics are useful medicines to treat some bacterial infections. But if you take antibiotics when they're not needed, you give bacteria the chance to develop a resistance to the antibiotic you are using.
If you take an antibiotic when you don't need it – for example, when you have a cold or the flu – it can make you feel worse and make your illness last longer. In fact, when used the wrong way, antibiotics can cause more severe illnesses like diarrhea, nausea and rashes.
Antibiotics should only be used to treat bacterial infections and won't help treat viral infections. Taking antibiotics when they aren't necessary can lead to antibiotic resistance as well as possible side effects.
Serious allergic reaction
Around 1 in 15 people have an allergic reaction to amoxicillin. In most cases, the allergic reaction is mild and can take the form of a skin rash. Mild skin rashes can usually be treated by taking antihistamines. In rare cases, amoxicillin can cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
The bottom line
Amoxicillin is typically well-tolerated, but nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are some of its most common side effects. In rare cases, more serious side effects are also possible.
Traditionally, clinicians and health authorities advocate that patients should complete their full course of antibiotics as prescribed, even when their symptoms have improved, to prevent relapse of infection and the development of antibiotic resistance.
Amoxicillin begins to fight your infection soon after you start taking it, and you should start to feel better after about 2 to 3 days. But even if you feel better before your prescription runs out, make sure to keep taking it for as many doses as prescribed. Amoxicillin is widely available as a lower-cost generic.
Antibiotics are useful medicines to treat some bacterial infections. But if you take antibiotics when they're not needed, you give bacteria the chance to develop a resistance to the antibiotic you are using. Find out about antibiotic resistance and what you can do to stop antibiotic-resistant infections.
Amoxicillin is used to treat a variety of bacterial conditions. Its effectiveness against multiple strains of bacteria explains why physicians consider it a strong antibiotic. Among the bacteria it fights are E. coli, salmonella, streptococcus species, Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridial species.
Is tiredness a normal side effect of antibiotics? Tiredness or fatigue is not a common side effect of antibiotic use, but it can happen. The antibiotics most likely to cause tiredness as a side effect are amoxicillin, azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin.
Bottom Line on Amoxicillin Use
Amoxicillin is a safe and affordable antibiotic; however, it is not the right antibiotic for all infections. It is important not to share your antibiotics with anyone. An antibiotic is prescribed specifically for you and your particular type of bacterial infection.
Amoxicillin can interact with medications like warfarin, allopurinol, and probenecid. It may also interact with alcohol and some live vaccines. Make sure to provide an updated medication list to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. This will help them check for amoxicillin interactions.
Infections that are not severe may be treated in as little as 3 days, but the typical course of treatment is 5-10 days. Your prescription label insert will tell you how long you should take your amoxicillin.
3-day courses are equally effective as 5- to 10-day treatment courses.
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if the symptoms are severe and include high fever along with nasal drainage and a productive cough. Antibiotics may also be necessary if you feel better after a few days and then your symptoms return or if the infection lasts more than a week.
Antibiotics are only needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria, but even some bacterial infections get better without antibiotics. We rely on antibiotics to treat serious, life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia and sepsis, the body's extreme response to an infection.
Myth: Antibiotics do not harm the immune system.
Fact: Although antibiotics do not directly interfere with the immune system, unnecessary antibiotic usage can stop the immune system from working to its full potential. In fact, antibiotics can also compromise the immune system of the body.
Even if you are not feeling sick, the bacteria may still be present in your body, and you could start feeling sick again if you stop your antibiotic early. Another problem that may occur if you stop your antibiotic earlier than prescribed is antibiotic resistance.
A duration of 5–7 days of antibiotics is recommended in adults.
Antibiotics Reduce Inflammation
Many processes that make a person feel miserable are related to inflammatory responses. The Common Cold causes inflammation in the nasopharyngeal tract.
According to reports, fluoroquinolones—a broad spectrum antibiotic that includes Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox, and others—have been associated with a host of devastating side effects, including joint and muscle pain, tendon rupture, aortic aneurysm, nerve damage, delirium, and even death.
Amoxicillin covers a wide variety of gram-positive bacteria, with some added gram-negative coverage compared to penicillin. Like penicillin, it covers most Streptococcus species and is also effective against Listeria monocytogenes and Enterococcus species.