Antibiotic Do's and Don'ts

Take antibiotics ONLY when a doctor tells you to and take them exactly as prescribed.

If antibiotics are the best treatment when you're sick:

• Take them exactly as prescribed.

• Do not share your antibiotics with others.

• Do not save them for later. Taking the wrong medicine for a future illness may delay correct treatment and can cause severe side effects.

• Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else. This may delay the best treatment for you, make you even sicker or cause side effects.

Antibiotics ONLY treat certain infections caused by bacteria, such as:

• Strep throat

• Whooping cough

• Urinary tract infection (UTI)

(Note: Some infections caused by bacteria can still get better without antibiotics. You may not need antibiotics for some common bacterial infections, including many sinus infections and some ear infections.)

Antibiotics DO NOT work on viruses and will not make you feel better if you have a virus.

Viruses germs are different from bacteria. Antibiotics do not treat infections caused by viruses such as those that cause:

• Colds and runny noses, even if the mucus is thick, yellow or green

• Most sore throats (except strep throat)

• Flu

• Most cases of chest colds (bronchitis)

Talk to a healthcare provider about side effects of antibiotics

If a healthcare professional determines that you need antibiotics, the benefits usually outweigh the risks of side effects and antimicrobial resistance. Common side effects of antibiotics range from minor to very severe health problems and can include:

• Rash

• Dizziness

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Yeast infections

More serious side effects can include:

• C. diff infection, which causes diarrhea that can lead to severe colon damage and deaths.

• Severe and life-threatening allergic reactions

• Antimicrobial-resistant infections

Children and side effects‎‎

In children, side effects from antibiotics are the most common cause of medication-related emergency department visits.

Call a healthcare professional if you or your child develop any side effects while taking an antibiotic.

Disposal of medicines

For any expired or unused antibiotics:

• Dispose through drug take-back programs, often located within community pharmacies.

• Place in a plastic bag with dirt, kitty litter or used coffee grounds and throw away in the household trash.

Talk to a pharmacist about safely discarding leftover medicines. See helpful tips on how to safely throw away unused medications.

Reference: 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention