What Are the Side Effects of Antibiotics? Everything You Need to Know
Antibiotics are prescription medicines recommended to treat bacterial infections. Some common bacterial infections treated with antibiotics include urinary tract infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
Antibiotics work in the body by killing the bacteria that cause infection or by preventing the bacteria from multiplying & growing.
You should know that antibiotics only treat infections caused by bacteria. They do not work for viral infections like:
-
Runny nose
-
Common cold
-
Flu
-
Most coughs and bronchitis
Though the side effects of most antibiotics are not life-threatening, some can cause severe side effects that require immediate medical attention.
Side effects of Antibiotics
Antibiotics can cause both common and severe side effects.
Common side effects of antibiotics:
While taking an antibiotic, you can experience some common side effects, including:
Stomach upset
Several antibiotics can cause stomach upset or other gastrointestinal problems. These include:
-
Cramps
-
Nausea
-
Diarrhea
-
Vomiting
Cephalosporins, Macrolide antibiotics, Penicillin, and fluoroquinolones might make you suffer from stomach upset than other antibiotics.
Sometimes, antibiotics are required with food. On the other hand, a doctor can also prescribe them on an empty stomach. It is better to consult a doctor once to determine the best way to take antibiotics.
Once you stop taking the antibiotics, the stomach upset problem goes away. If you suffer from digestive side effects like uncontrollable vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or bloody diarrhoea, stop taking antibiotics and consult the doctor.
Fungal infection
Antibiotics are effective in killing harmful bacteria. But sometimes, they even kill good bacteria that protect against fungal infections and disturb your body's natural balance.
When this imbalance happens, and you continue taking antibiotics, it makes you suffer from fungal infections of the digestive tract, mouth, or vagina. Candidiasis in your mouth and throat is known as thrush.
Some common symptoms of thrush include:
-
Bleeding with tooth brushing
-
White patches on your cheeks, throat, roof of the mouth, or tongue
-
Bleeding with tooth brushing
-
Pain while swallowing or eating
To treat fungal infections, doctors can prescribe antifungal medicines like nystatin.
Photosensitivity
Antibiotics like tetracycline can make your body more sensitive to light. This effect can make the light appear brighter in the eyes, making your skin more prone to sunburn. Once you finish the treatment with antibiotics, photosensitivity goes away.
If you have any plans to step out in the sun, take precautions beforehand to stay comfortable and safe. Make sure to use sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection. You can also wear protective clothing and accessories.
UTI antibiotics and yeast infections
Treating urinary tract infections with antibiotics can cause a vaginal yeast infection.
Some common symptoms of vaginal yeast infection include:
-
Pain and a burning sensation during intercourse and peeing
-
Vaginal itchiness, soreness, and swelling
-
Fever and chills
-
Abdominal or pelvic pain
-
White-to-grey lumpy vaginal discharge
-
Blood in the urine
Doctors prescribe the antifungal fluconazole to treat yeast infections caused by UTI antibiotics.
Tooth discoloration
Antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline can cause permanent tooth staining in children whose teeth are developing. This side effect is more common in children under 8 years of age.
If pregnant women take these antibiotics, they can stain the primary teeth of a developing child.
It is better to ask the doctor why you are prescribed such antibiotics if you are pregnant or for your children. You can also ask if there are other antibiotics which will similarly but do not have such kind of side effect.
Rare and Serious Side Effects of Antibiotics
Some of the rare and serious side effects of antibiotics include:
Allergic reactions
You should know that allergic reactions are possible with any medications, including antibiotics. Some allergic reactions might be mild, while others can be severe and require immediate medical attention.
If you are allergic to a certain antibiotic, you will experience severe problems right after taking the medicine. Some common problems include hives, breathing problems, and swelling of your throat and tongue.
When you suffer from hives or trouble breathing, stop taking the antibiotic and meet the doctor.
Kidney disorder
It is essential to know that kidneys clear most antibiotic medicines. When kidneys do not work properly, antibiotics start to build up and cause kidney damage.
Before recommending antibiotics to individuals with kidney disease, doctors check kidney function through blood tests.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare and severe skin and mucous membranes disorder. Mucous membranes are the moist linings of certain parts of the body, including the throat, nose, mouth, and lungs.
SJS is a reaction to antibiotics like sulfamethoxazole and beta-lactams. It starts with flu-like symptoms like a sore throat or fever, which might be followed by a painful rash and blisters.
However, this condition cannot be prevented, but its risk can be reduced. People with a weak immune system or a family history of SJS are at greater risk of suffering from it.
Before taking any antibiotics, you should discuss this disorder with the doctor once.
Heart problems
In very rare cases, certain antibiotics might cause heart disorders like low blood pressure or irregular heartbeat. The antibiotics most often linked with these side effects include erythromycin and some fluoroquinolones. Antifungal drugs like terbinafine can also cause heart diseases.
Before you start treatment with antibiotics, make sure to tell the doctor about your existing heart conditions.
Summary
Therefore, antibiotics are prescribed to provide relief from bacterial infections. To avoid unwanted side effects, make sure you follow the doctor's recommendation for the prescribed dosage.
