Which antibiotics are used? | When do I need antibiotics for a cold?

Which antibiotics are used?

Due to the increasing development of resistance and also due to the numerous newly developed antibiotics, a physician must weigh up increasingly better which of the numerous preparations he prescribes to the patient if he suspects a bacterial infection. If an antibiotic is needed, bacteria have settled on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. These bacteria have often lived on the mucous membrane before without causing any symptoms.

Most of the bacteria living there have similar characteristics and can therefore be attacked with typical antibiotics. Nevertheless the physician must select its antibiotic before the prescription purposefully, since different antibiotics work against different kinds. For example, tonsillitis is treated with a different antibiotic than pneumonia.

The most commonly prescribed antibiotics for an upper respiratory tract infection are the so-called beta-lactam antibiotics. The most famous representative of this group is the well-known penicillin. A slightly modified form is the so-called amoxicillin, which is also frequently prescribed. Since allergies to this type of antibiotics are not uncommon, so-called macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin are sometimes prescribed. Often prescribed are also antibiotics from the group of the Cephalosporine, to which for example the active substance Cefuroxim belongs.These are similar in their mechanism of action to penicillin and should not be taken if an allergy to beta-lactam antibiotics (also called penicillin allergy) is suspected or exists.

What are the side effects?

Antibiotics can cause a number of side effects. Many antibiotics have similar side effects: Probably the most common side effect that can occur with all antibiotics taken in tablet form is gastrointestinal distress. These usually manifest themselves in the form of nausea, abdominal pain, flatulence and/or diarrhoea.

Less common side effects include fungal infections of the mouth or gastrointestinal tract, headaches, insomnia, dizziness, drop in blood pressure or even joint problems and torn tendons. The possible side effects often vary from antibiotic to antibiotic. Please always refer to the package insert of the antibiotic in each individual case. In general, it is also recommended not to do any sports while taking antibiotics. With some antibiotics it is also important to note that you should not drink some foods, milk or alcohol in order to avoid side effects as far as possible.