Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can be helpful or harmful. Antibiotics are medicines used to treat bacterial infections but not viral infections. There are different types of antibiotics that work in various ways such as killing bacteria or stopping their growth. It is important to only take antibiotics as prescribed and to complete the full course to avoid antibiotic resistance developing.

1. SCHOOL OF
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
ABOUT ANTIBIOTICS

2. SCHOOL OF
What are bacteria?
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
• Bacteria are organisms consist of only one cell.
• They can increase in number with varying
shapes.
• Bacteria can be found everywhere, inside and
on our bodies.
• Some bacteria are useful and some are
harmful.

3. SCHOOL OF
What are antibiotics?
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
Antibiotics are medicines used to treat infections caused
by GERMS called bacteria. Antibiotics have the ability to
kill or stop the growth of bacteria. However, antibiotics are
not effective against viral infections
Bacterial infections: Viral infections:
• Bladder infection • Bronchitis
• Throat infection • Common cold - stuffy
• Severe sinus infection - lasting nose, sneezing, headache
two or more weeks • Flu (influenza)
• Skin infections • Most coughs
• Urinary tract infections

4. SCHOOL OF
What are antibiotics?
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
•In Malaysia, antibiotics are poison B medicines.
• Antibiotics can only be prescribed by:
 Registered Medical Practitioner
 Dentist
 Veterinary doctor

5. SCHOOL OF
Types of antibiotics
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
Macrolides
•Azithromycin (Zithromax)
•Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
Cephalosporins
•Cephalexin (Celexin)
•Cefuroxime (Efurox, Zinacef)
Fluoroquinolones
Ciprofloxacin (Ciprox)
Norfloxacin (Noroxin)
Penicillin
Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
Cloxacillin (Tegopen, Cloxacap)

6. SCHOOL OF
Types of antibiotics
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
Tetracyclines
Tetracycline (Sumycin)
Doxycycline (Doxycap)
Aminoglycosides
Amikacin (Amikin)
Neomycin (Mycifradin)
Carbapenems
Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
Ertapenem
Imipenem-Cilastatin (Primaxin)
Rifampin (Rifadin)
Sulfonamide
Trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)
Sulfamethoxazole (Gantanol)

7. Formulations of antibiotics
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PHARMACEUTICAL
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8. SCHOOL OF
Administration
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
Oral
• The most preferred, cheap and easy to administer but it not
reliable in patients with severe infections and non-compliant
patients.
• Not all antibiotics are available for oral administration.
Injection
• Antibiotics can be given intravenously or intramuscularly.
• This is the best method to the patient that has severe
infections. However, it is painful.
• Some antibiotics are not available for parenteral use.
Topical
• Application on the skin.

9. SCHOOL OF
Uses of antibiotics
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
Treatment of an infection caused by bacteria
Prevent bacteria from reproducing
Not effective against viruses

10. Irrational use of antibiotics
SCHOOL OF
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
Inappropriate
route of
administration
of antibiotics
Failure to
Inadequate
prescribe in
dosage for non
accordance with
bacterial infection
clinical guidelines
Use too many Irrational use Inappropriate
medicines of antibiotics self-medication

11. Factors that need to be considered
SCHOOL OF when taking antibiotics
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
Baby
Antibiotics for example chloramphenicol and sulphonamides are not
suitable for babies and cause adverse effects such as ‘Gray Baby
syndrome’ and kernicterus.
Children
Tetracycline and quinolone affect the bone and teeth development and
should be prevented.
Adult
Most antibiotics can be taken by adults but it must be for the right patient
at the right dose, dosage form and time.
Pregnant and breastfeeding mother
Certain antibiotics may harm the growing fetus and the baby.
Antibiotics considered safe for use during pregnancy are
penicillin, cephalosporin (cephalexin) and erythromycin.
However, tertacycline should be avoided.

12. Factors that need to be considered
SCHOOL OF when taking antibiotics
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
Hypersensitivity
in patient Drug-drug or
towards certain drug-food
antibiotics interaction
Drug
Dose of antibiotics
must be right in
accordance to Cost of antibiotics
patients’ age/weight must be
and medical economically cost-
condition effective

13. SCHOOL OF
Side effects
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
Common side effects
Severe watery White patches Nausea
diarrhea on tongue
Vomiting Abdominal
cramps

14. SCHOOL OF
Side effects
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
Allergic reactions
Swelling of Shortness of
lips breath
Fainting Rash

15. Importance of taking full
SCHOOL OF
PHARMACEUTICAL
course of antibiotics
SCIENCES
Prevent spread and
development of Make sure all bacteria
bacterial resistance are killed
towards antibiotic
To prevent

16. What is antibiotic resistance?
SCHOOL OF
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
• Antibiotic resistance is a condition occurs when
antibiotics lose ability to kill bacteria and no longer
effective to treat infection.
•This condition happens when antibiotics are used :
Too often
Repeated use
Inappropriate use such as not taking a full course
of antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor

17. SCHOOL OF
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
Function of antibiotics If do not take full course
antibiotics, antibiotics resistance
occur.
You’re gonna die!
haha
You think you are
clever? I’m
cleverer than
you..haha
Oh no..! Help
me
…………
…...

18. Does patient that has bacteria infection
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be given the same antibiotics?
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
Patient may have the same sign and
symptom of an infection but it is
caused by different bacteria.
Hence, we should seek the doctor to
identify the type of bacteria and give
suitable antibiotic to fight the bacteria.
Nature and seriousness of the
infection, patient’s age, disorder
present, other drugs being taken also
influence the choose and effectiveness
of the antibiotic.

19. Guideline for rational used of
SCHOOL OF antibiotics
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
Practice your rights as a smart consumer - Ask your doctor/pharmacist about
your medications.
When a doctor prescribes antibiotics to you, ask him or her about the
indication of the antibiotics and possible side effects.
Make sure to take the full course of antibiotics to prevent the existence of
antibiotics resistance. Do not skip doses.
Avoid taking antibiotics in double amount if you forget to take it.
Never take antibiotics without a prescription.
Do not "demand" antibiotics from your doctors if they do not prescribe it to
you.
Practice good personal hygiene to prevent common infection.

20. Where to find the information
SCHOOL OF about antibiotics?
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
If you have any
problems regarding
antibiotics, you can
refer to your nearest
pharmacists and
doctors.

21. SCHOOL OF
PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCES
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.