The word antibiotics comes from the Greek and means translated “against life”. However, it is not the one who takes them on the collar, but the germs that make life difficult for him. Antibiotics are still a miracle weapon that can save lives. However, they have to be used correctly to do so.
How antibiotics work against bacteria
There are numerous microorganisms that cause infections – mainly bacteria and viruses, but also fungi and others. But antibiotics work only against bacteria. This is because bacteria and viruses are very different. Bacteria, for example, grow up to 0.002 mm in size, have their own metabolism and can be grown on artificial culture media. Viruses, on the other hand, are about a hundred times smaller than bacteria and cannot exist independently; they depend on so-called host cells. Antibiotics attack, among other things, the cell wall or the metabolism of bacteria – but they can do nothing against viruses that settle in human cells. This knowledge is particularly important in connection with colds: These are predominantly caused by viruses – and then no antibiotics will help.
Taking antibiotics
Very important: An antibiotic must always be taken for the prescribed duration. This may – but does not have to – require taking the entire package. The prescribed use, contained amount of active ingredient and intake time are thereby adjusted by the doctor to the present infection and possibly existing allergies and concomitant diseases. If there is an improvement after the first few days, this indicates that the antibiotic is effective. Nevertheless, the medicine must always be taken for as long as the doctor has prescribed – no longer, but also no shorter. This is the only way to really destroy all bacteria and avoid germ resistance.
What else should be considered when taking the medication?
Other important intake instructions are:
- The prescribed intervals between intakes must be observed. This is the only way to ensure that the active substance level in the body is kept constantly high. “Three times a day” therefore means: every eight hours a dose.
- Antibiotics to take with water. Antibiotics should be taken with water, because milk or other foods can reduce the effect. Recommended to drink a whole glass of water. Between the consumption of milk / dairy products and taking antibiotics should be at least two hours.
- Exact time of taking: in the meantime, there are different groups of active substances of antibiotics. For this reason, there can also be no generally applicable rules on the time of intake. Some antibiotics must be taken fasting, while others must be taken with food. When exactly your medicine should be taken, your doctor or pharmacist will tell you; you can also find this information on the package insert.
- Interactions: Who additionally takes other drugs, should ask the doctor because of possible interactions.
Large tablets better swallow
Antibiotics – especially in higher dosages – are often very large and often may not be crushed, for example, because of certain tablet coatings (this can be found in the package insert). However, many people find it difficult to swallow large tablets. If it is not possible to switch to another method of preparation, such as juice, some tricks can help:
- Already drink a sip of water before taking, so that the mucous membrane is well moistened.
- Then place the tablet as far back as possible on the tongue and rinse down with a whole glass of water.
- Tilt the head slightly forward (!) When swallowing.
Side effects: Antibiotics and diarrhea
Antibiotics can also cause side effects due to their mode of action. Bacteria useful for humans live, for example, in the oral cavity, but also in our intestines. There they ensure that food is digested properly. If you have to take an antibiotic, you are not only fighting the dangerous bacteria, but also the beneficial ones. For example, the intestinal flora can become unbalanced. Disturbances such as soft stools or even diarrhea are not uncommon when taking antibiotics. Normally, normal intestinal function is quickly restored after the end of therapy.However, those who have problems can purchase special preparations at the pharmacy to regenerate the intestinal flora, for example yeast cultures from Saccharomyces boulardii or bacterial extracts from Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Escherichia coli.
Disposal of antibiotics
Do not keep opened packages of antibiotics! First, there are different bacteria, which are also treated with different active ingredients; second, an opened package will never meet the above intake criteria. The rule is therefore: Infections from a doctor clarify; antibiotics do not simply take on suspicion!
Antibiotic resistance
Antibiotics no longer work for many bacteria. The reason: the pathogens have become resistant to the drugs. The culprit in many cases is too careless use of antibiotics. If, for example, the medication is discontinued prematurely or the patient does not adhere to the instructions for taking it, resistant bacteria can survive and become resistant to the medication, i.e. insensitive to the antibiotic. This is why it is so important, especially with antibiotics, to take the prescribed amount at the correct interval over the specified treatment period.
Conclusion:
- Take antibiotics as prescribed regularly and in sufficient doses.
- Do not discontinue antibiotic too early, but also do not take it longer than prescribed
- No self-therapy with antibiotics