Antibiotics is a term that was derived from a combination of two Greek words: anti – against and bios – life. Antibiotics are potent drugs that allow for the killing or stopping the growth of bacteria. As a result, they help the body’s own immune system fight and eliminate the bacterial infection. It’s important to remember, however, that antibiotics are ineffective against viruses.
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The 10 Most Prescribed Antibiotics
According to statistical data gathered by CDC, the most popular antibiotics in the USA are:
- Amoxicillin
- Azithromycin
- Clavulanate
- Ciprofloxacin
- Cephalexin
- Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim
- Doxycycline
- Metronidazole
- Cefixime
- Levofloxacin
Classes of Antibiotics
Different kinds of antibiotics work differently by targeting various processes or parts of the microbial organism. Consequently, there are many different classes of antibiotics:
- Penicillins (e.g., amoxicillin, penicillin)
- Cephalosporins
- Macrolides (e.g., erythromycin, azithromycin)
- Fluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin)
- Tetracyclines
- Aminoglycosides
- Sulfonamides and Trimethoprim
- Antimycobacterials (e.g., rifampicin, isoniazid)
Antibiotics Usage: A Note of Caution
Antibiotics are a life-saving medication; however, this doesn’t mean that taking them is always good for your health. Taking them when it is not necessary can damage your gut bacteria and gradually build antibiotic resistance. This happens when the bacteria are not killed off entirely and, due to improper antibiotic use, they have the time to adapt. This causes the bacteria to be much more resistant to treatment and much harder to kill, increasing the severity of the illness, chances of it spreading to other people, and even death.
Consequently, antibiotics should only be prescribed by a healthcare professional when the situation truly calls for it and should be taken exactly as instructed. It is vital to never take antibiotics to treat viral infections such as flu or cold.
Proper Antibiotics Usage
Here are the steps you should take to use antibiotics effectively:
- Antibiotics should only be used when prescribed by a doctor.
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations to the letter.
- Never skip doses or discontinue your treatment even if you feel like you have gotten better.