Antibiotics
Kill bacteria or stop them growing. Antibiotics do NOT act on viruses, so they do nothing for an ordinary cold.
Why it gets prescribed
Prescribed for bacterial infection; which one is chosen depends on the site, your allergy history, and your previous courses.
What to watch for
Rash, swelling of the lips or face, or breathlessness after a dose means being seen immediately. So does severe or bloody diarrhoea during or after a course.
Stopping — read this before you stop anything
Take it exactly as prescribed and ask THEM when to stop. Do not stop early because you feel better, and do not extend it yourself. Guidance on course length has changed over time, so avoid absolute rules.
Tell the prescriber and the pharmacist
Declare every previous reaction, even one you only heard about from childhood. Also mention anticoagulants, contraceptives, and cholesterol medicines.
Worth asking
- Is my illness bacterial or viral
- Until when do I take this
- Which signs mean calling back straight away