Antibiotics
Antibiotics help cure infections caused by bacteria. So antibiotics do not work against viruses such as the flu. They kill the bacteria or inhibit their growth. A course of antibiotics must always be finished, otherwise pathogenic bacteria can remain in the body. A few facts about antibiotics and pharmacy.
Ten well-known types of antibiotics
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Doxycycline
In addition to killing bacteria, doxycycline also fights malaria. Doxycycline works on respiratory infections, various STDs, skin infections and gastrointestinal tract infections, among others. A course of treatment usually lasts one week but sometimes up to three weeks.
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Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin is commonly prescribed for bladder infections, ear infections and infections of the kidneys or prostate, among others. Ciprofloxacin falls under the quinolone antibiotics. These cause the bacteria to stop making DNA, killing them.
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Nitrofurantoin
Nitrofurantoin inhibits the production of DNA in a bacterium. Therefore, it has a bactericidal effect. This antibiotic works specifically against bladder infections or preventing them.
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Penicillin
Penicillin breaks down the wall of the bacteria, causing the bacteria to die. Penicillin works against lung, throat and ear infections, among other things. It usually works within hours, but again it is important to finish the entire course of treatment.
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Azitromycin
Azitromycin inhibits the growth of bacteria. For example, it fights respiratory infections, some STDs and skin conditions.
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Clindamycin
The doctor sometimes chooses clindamycin for respiratory infections, skin infections and bacterial vaginosis.
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Fusidic acid
Fusidic acid acts on the same mechanism of the bacteria, which is to inhibit growth. This antibiotic is particularly effective in infections caused by the so-called staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
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Trimethoprim
Trimethoprim blocks the bacteria's production of folic acid. Bacteria need folic acid to stay alive. They do not absorb it from external sources like humans do. Therefore, trimethoprim kills the bacteria. It works against cystitis and some respiratory infections.
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Cotrimoxazole
Cotrimoxazole is a medication that combines two antibiotics (trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole). The doctor prescribes this antibiotic only when only one of the two antibiotics does not work adequately.
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Clarithromycin
Clarithromycin works against respiratory infections and skin infections, among other things. It inhibits the growth of the bacteria, severely weakening them. It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic and therefore has relatively many side effects.
What do we do for you in the pharmacy when you are prescribed an antibiotic?
- We advise on use.
- We check if you can safely use the antibiotic in combination with other medicines. Or maybe you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- We look very carefully at the dosage. If you have impaired kidney function, we may need to adjust the dosage. In children, we check the dosage based on the child's weight and age.
Side effects
Antibiotics sometimes cause side effects. Common side effects include:
- Diarrhea. Note that thin stools are not always a side effect of the antibiotics. It can also be the result of the disease for which the antibiotic was prescribed.
- Sensitivity or an allergic reaction. Symptoms of this include shortness of breath, fever or fainting. Red spots on the skin can be signs of an allergy, but can also be a common side effect. In case of such symptoms, contact your doctor.
Do you know that you are hypersensitive to a particular antibiotic? Then report this to us. We will put it in the computer, so that the next time you come to our pharmacy you will not accidentally receive the same antibiotic.
Hypersensitivity
Antibiotics from the tetracyclines group can cause hypersensitivity to sunlight. These include, for example, doxycycline and minocycline. If you are in the sun while taking these medications, you can get a significant sunburn.
In that case, stay out of the sun as much as possible and make sure you have extra protection: tightly woven clothing, something on your head and sunscreen with a high protection factor. Even in cloudy weather, because even then the harmful UV radiation is present.
We can find out for you whether it might be possible to treat your condition with another antibiotic that does not have this side effect.