Key takeaways:
Antibiotics should only be taken for bacterial infections. They shouldn’t be used for viral infections.
Your healthcare provider and pharmacist can provide tips about how to take antibiotics safely and effectively. For instance, many antibiotics — like doxycycline (Vibramycin, Doryx, others) — can be taken with food to prevent stomach upset.
Do your best to take your antibiotic exactly as prescribed. Don’t stop taking it too early, try not to double up on doses, and don’t save any doses for future use. This helps prevent serious side effects and antibiotic resistance.
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Antibiotics treat bacterial infections of all severities. They often manage mild to moderate infections to prevent serious health complications down the road. But they can also fight serious infections and get you back to feeling healthy.
Even though these medications are essential treatment tools, they can cause problems if not used properly. Knowing more about taking antibiotics can help you get the most out of your medication.
When are antibiotics usually prescribed?
You may be prescribed an antibiotic after a clinic appointment or telehealth visit. You may also be given one during or after a hospital stay. Regardless of the situation, antibiotics should only be prescribed to treat bacterial infections.
In some cases, an antibiotic may be prescribed based on your symptoms. After running tests, your healthcare provider may change or stop the antibiotic when they learn more about what’s causing your infection.
11 things to know before taking an antibiotic
There are many different types of antibiotics. For instance, penicillin antibiotics treat strep throat, ear infections, and more. Amoxicillin, penicillin, and Augmentin (amoxicillin / clavulanate) are a few examples. Antibiotics also come in many dosage forms, ranging from pills and creams to intravenous (IV) injections.
The antibiotic that’s right for you or your child depends on the type of infection you have, your age, and your allergies. These factors also impact on how long you’ll take an antibiotic. You may take antibiotics for days to weeks at a time. But there are some other important things to know before starting an antibiotic.
1. Antibiotic resistance is real
Antibiotic resistance happens when an antibiotic no longer works against a bacteria. This happens because they’ve adapted and become resistant to the treatment. Over time, this can turn into a dangerous situation — making it more difficult to treat certain bacterial infections.
There are many causes of antibiotic resistance. In many situations, it can stem from taking antibiotics improperly. For example:
Using antibiotics for viral infections
Not taking the right dose
Stopping your antibiotic sooner than prescribed
Taking old antibiotics that you have at home
2. Check to see if you should take your antibiotic with food
Nausea, upset stomach, and diarrhea are common side effects that you may experience while taking antibiotics. That’s why you should take certain antibiotics with food — to help lessen these side effects. For example, you could take doxycycline (Vibramycin, Doryx, others) with food if you experienced a stomach ache after taking it. And in some cases, taking certain antibiotics with food can help them work better.
Certain types of food can also help relieve stomach problems. Try eating food high in fiber — like leafy greens, beans, and fruit. Bland foods, like rice and toast, could also help.
Reach out to your pharmacist or healthcare provider to see if you should take your antibiotic with or without food if the instructions aren’t clear.
3. Ask your pharmacist when you should take the antibiotic
Most antibiotics work in a unique way. So, each one can have different directions for when and how to take it. Talk with your pharmacist or provider about when to take your specific antibiotic. Some antibiotics work best before or after meals. And taking an antibiotic at the same time every day can help make sure you don’t miss a dose.
In some cases, antibiotics are taken 2 times a day or more. These antibiotics are usually evenly spread throughout the day. You and your pharmacist can decide the best times for you to take your antibiotic. This will help ensure that it works properly.
4. Know when to avoid dairy products, fruit juices, and antacids
Dairy products and fruit juices can affect how your body absorbs certain antibiotics. Tetracyclines like doxycycline and fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin (Cipro) are top examples.
Why? Dairy products contain calcium. And calcium can bind to tetracycline and fluoroquinolone antibiotics in your gut. This can lower the absorption of these antibiotics, making them less effective. This is also true for calcium-fortified fruit juices and antacids that contain calcium, such as Tums (calcium carbonate).
If your pharmacist says that you shouldn’t have dairy products or fruit juices with your medication, it’s best to separate them from each other. Wait at least 2 hours after taking your antibiotic before eating or drinking these products. You may want to wait even longer after taking an antacid.
5. Take all of your prescribed medication — even if you’re feeling better
One of the most important things to know about antibiotics is that you should take all the medication prescribed to you. Even if you start to feel better, your body may still have bacteria leftover. If you stop your antibiotic early, this bacteria can become resistant to one or more antibiotics — making it harder to treat in the future.
Unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise, don’t stop taking your prescription too early.
6. Don’t stockpile your antibiotic for future use
It’s important to take all of the medication that you’re prescribed for your infection. If for any reason you have antibiotic pills or liquid left over, don’t store the remaining medication for future use. It’s better to discard it. This is because there are many factors that your healthcare provider considers when choosing an appropriate antibiotic. This includes:
Type of infection
Age
Kidney and liver function
Pregnancy status
Allergies
Previous antibiotic use
These factors make each bacterial infection unique. Don’t assume that a medication used for a past infection can or should be used for future infections.
If you have leftover medication, consider using Dispose My Meds to find a secure drop-off location near you. If you can’t make it to a drop-off site, you can dispose of your antibiotic in the household trash. To make the discarded medication less desirable, it’s a good idea to mix your antibiotic with used coffee grounds, cat litter, or dirt.
7. You may be prescribed more than one antibiotic
It’s preferred to use only one antibiotic at a time when possible. But there may be times when more than one is needed. Situations where combining antibiotics may be helpful include:
If you’re severely ill and your healthcare provider doesn't yet know what's causing your infection.
The infection is caused by more than one type of bacteria.
To prevent antibiotic resistance by using two medications that work differently.
If an antibiotic would tackle an infection more effectively when used with another antibiotic.
8. Don’t take antibiotics for a viral sickness
It’s important to understand the difference between a viral infection and a bacterial infection. This is because antibiotics don’t kill viruses. Antibiotics fight bacteria.
Bacteria are small organisms that are found everywhere — including in plants, animals, and water. Some bacteria can even be helpful to your body. But many bacteria are harmful and can lead to an infection. Examples of bacterial infections include strep throat, some ear infections, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
A virus is an organism that requires a living cell or tissue to survive. It infects cells or tissues and makes copies of itself. Viruses are made up of many components and work differently than bacteria. Examples of viral infections include COVID-19, measles, and the flu. Vaccines and antiviral medications can prevent and treat viral infections.
9. Be aware of potential side effects
Antibiotics may cause a number of side effects. Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and skin rashes.
In some cases, people may experience allergic reactions to antibiotics. Non-severe allergic reactions may include a mild rash or bothersome itching. Nausea and headache are not considered allergic reactions to antibiotics. Symptoms of severe allergies include difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and skin peeling.
What’s more, if you experience severe diarrhea while taking an antibiotic, contact your healthcare provider right away. This may be caused by a serious bacteria known as Clostridioides difficile (“C. diff”).
Contact your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing a bothersome side effect from your antibiotic. Even though the side effects should resolve after you’ve completed treatment, they can give you tips for managing them in the meantime.
10. Your allergy to a certain antibiotic may not be a true allergy
Antibiotics can cause several different types of reactions in the body. For some people, certain antibiotics can cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. For others, they can cause reactions that seem like an allergic reaction — but this isn't necessarily the case.
If you believe you have an allergy to an antibiotic and don’t remember your reaction, communicate that to your healthcare provider. This conversation helps your healthcare provider choose the best antibiotic for you.
For example, penicillin allergies are one of the most common antibiotic allergies. But, one study showed that an average of 95% of people who were labeled allergic to penicillin didn’t have a true allergy. Because having a penicillin allergy can limit the type of antibiotic you’re treated with, it’s important to know if you truly have an allergy. Your healthcare provider can perform a test to know for sure.
Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can help you learn whether you have a true allergy to certain antibiotics. If you don’t have an allergy, you’ll want to know so that your treatment options aren’t limited if you have an infection in the future.
11. Know if it’s safe to drink alcohol while taking your antibiotic
In general, it’s a good idea to avoid alcohol while you’re taking an antibiotic. Alcohol can weaken your immune system, and this makes it harder for antibiotics to do their job.
Side effects are another layer. That’s because the combination can worsen side effects, or even cause serious reactions. So, it’s important to know if it’s safe to drink alcohol while taking your antibiotic.
Some antibiotics may lower alcohol’s ability to be broken down, so it’s in your body for longer than expected. This may cause side effects like facial flushing, nausea, and vomiting. It may also cause low blood pressure or shock in some cases. This is called a disulfiram-like reaction. Metronidazole (Flagyl), Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim), and cefotetan are a few examples of antibiotics that can cause this reaction.
Reach out to your pharmacist or provider if you have questions about antibiotics and alcohol.
What should you avoid when taking antibiotics?
These are the top four things to avoid while taking antibiotics:
Avoid taking antibiotics for viral infections.
Avoid stockpiling antibiotics for use.
Avoid stopping your antibiotic before the treatment is finished.
Avoid taking alcohol with your antibiotic
The bottom line
Antibiotics can save lives when used as intended. But there are many things to consider when taking an antibiotic. Have a conversation with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about how to take the antibiotic you’re prescribed. Always take your antibiotic as directed. Don’t store any leftover medication you may have.
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References
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InformedHealth.org. (2020). Using medication: Using antibiotics correctly and avoiding resistance. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).
Lee, R. A., et al. (2021). Appropriate use of short-course antibiotics in common infections: Best practice advice from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine.
Leekha, S., et al. (2011). General principles of antimicrobial therapy. Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Maideen, N. M. P. (2019). Clinically important and pharmacologically relevant drug interactions with alcohol. American Journal of Research In Medical Sciences.
Petric, Z., et al. (2020). Food-drug interactions with fruit juices. Foods.
Sacco, K. A., et al. (2017). Clinical outcomes following inpatient penicillin allergy testing: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019). Combating antibiotic resistance.
