Antibiotics - Uses, Resistance, and Side Effects
                     Antibiotics: Uses, 
resistance, and side 
effects
What are 
antibiotics?
Antibiotics are powerful medicines that 
fight certain infections and can save 
lives when used properly. They either 
stop bacteria from reproducing or 
destroy them.
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Resistance
Some medical professionals have concerns 
that people are overusing antibiotics. They 
also believe that this overuse contributes 
toward the growing number of bacterial 
infections that are becoming resistant to 
antibacterial medications.
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
How do 
antibiotics 
work?
• A bactericidal antibiotic, such as penicillin, 
kills the bacteria. These drugs usually 
interfere with either the formation of the 
bacterial cell wall or its cell contents.
• A bacteriostatic stops bacteria from 
multiplying.
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Uses
• A doctor can prescribe a broad-
spectrum antibiotic to treat a wide 
range of infections. A narrow-
spectrum antibiotic is only effective 
against a few types of bacteria.
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Side effects
• diarrhea
• nausea
• vomiting
• rash
• upset stomach
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Less common 
side effects
• formation of kidney stones, when taking 
sulphonamides
• abnormal blood clotting, when taking some 
cephalosporins)
• sensitivity to sunlight, when taking 
tetracyclines
• blood disorders, when taking trimethoprim
• deafness, when taking erythromycin and the 
aminoglycosides
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Allergy
• Anyone who has an allergic reaction 
to an antibiotic must tell their doctor 
or pharmacist. 
• Reactions to antibiotics can be 
serious and sometimes fatal. They 
are called anaphylactic reactions.
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Interactions
• Individuals taking an antibiotic 
should not take other medicines or 
herbal remedies without speaking 
with a doctor first. Certain OTC 
medicines might also interact with 
antibiotics.
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
How to use?
• People usually take antibiotics by 
mouth. However, doctors can 
administer them by injection or apply 
them directly to the part of the body 
with infection.
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
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