Health

1. Prepared by: Samantha Mae S. Chu, RPh
1.Myth: There is no harm in giving antibiotics.
Fact: Antibiotics can cause side effects, from the most common diarrhea
to rare cases of severe, life threatening allergic reactions. Because of
antibiotic resistance, some cases require stronger antibiotics giving more
side effects.
Recommendation: Be knowledgeable on the reasons why an
antibiotic is prescribed for you as well as the risks and benefits of
taking such medications.
2.Myth: There is no harm in stopping early.
Fact: Stopping early or missing a dose may cause the bacteria to still
replicate making the course of treatment ineffective. The bacteria may
become resistant when the amount of antibiotic present is less than the
required concentration needed to kill or stop its growth.
7MYTHS ON
ANTIBIOTIC USE
7MYTHS ON ANTIBIOTIC USE

2. Recommendation: It is best to take all the doses as prescribed,
regardless of the time the symptoms may have stopped. Do not
hesitate to ask the doctor for the lowest dose and the shortest
course effective to treat an infection.
3.Myth: It's a good idea to save leftover antibiotics.
Fact: Leftover antibiotics may not be the best choice for another illness
and can even make it worse because the infection is not being treated
correctly. This possibly allows growth of resistant bacteria which are
more difficult to treat. Also, antibiotics in liquid preparation lose their
potency over time.
Recommendation: Discard excess antibiotics. Do not take leftover
antibiotics or worse, share them with family or friends. Always take
antibiotics correctly and appropriately so that there will be no
leftover medications.
4.Myth: Antibiotics can treat colds and flu.
Fact: Antibiotics are not effective in treating common cold and flu
which are caused by viruses. Taking such will only harm you with its
side effects and also lead to an increase in resistance problems.
Recommendation: Be mindful of when to start antibiotics
especially in what cases. It is still best to contact your doctor for
safety purposes.
5.Myth: Antibiotics are always effective
7MYTHS ON ANTIBIOTIC USE

3. Fact: Antibiotics are only effective against certain type of diseases, not
all. When an antibiotic given is not effective againstthe bacteria, taking
such will only give harm by experiencing its side effects as well as
contribute to an increase in resistant bacteria present in the body.
Recommendation: Not all infections need antibiotic because
some may just go away without treatment after a period of time. If
symptoms still persist after completing the course of antibiotics,
inform the doctor. This happens when the bacteria are resistant to
the antibiotic given thus needs an alternative.
6.Myth: People who use antibiotics regularly are the
ones at risk for antibiotic resistance.
Fact: Antibiotic resistance does not only occur from repeated use of a
medication but can also arise even when you take antibiotic on a single
course.
Recommendation: When prescribed with antibiotics, make sure
to finish taking the required dosage and frequency to reduce
incidence of antibiotic resistance. Also, make sure that the
antibiotic prescribed is effective in treating the infection.
7.Myth: Antibiotics can prevent bacterial illness
Fact: Taking an antibiotic even if there is no bacterial infection will not
improve the course of illness. The overuse of such may cause bacteria
to become resistant to antibiotics which are harder to treat.
Recommendation: Refer to a doctor to ensure what type of
antibiotic is best, when to take it and for how long.