Antibiotics are drugs used to treat bacterial infections. If used incorrectly, Antibiotics can cause various side effects. Eside effects of antibiotics it can be mild, it can also be dangerous and have a broad impact, for example making bacteria immune.
Every drug has its uses and side effects, and antibiotics are no exception. Antibiotic side effects occur as a form of reaction that occurs unexpectedly when reducing or increasing the dose, taking antibiotics at the same time as certain drugs, or using them for a long time.
However, side effects of antibiotics can also sometimes appear on initial use or use of small doses.
A number of Side Effects of Antibiotics That Can Occur
Antibiotics have many types and groups. In general, antibiotic drugs work by killing germs or inhibiting the growth of germs in the body.
Each type and class of antibiotics can cause different side effects in each person. Side effects that appear can be mild to severe. The following are some of the side effects of antibiotics that can occur:
- IndigestionIndigestion is the most common side effect of antibiotics. Symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders due to the use of antibiotics include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. This side effect is more common with the use of penicillin antibiotics. cephalosporin, and fluoroquinolones.
- Allergic reactionAllergic reactions to antibiotics are rare. However, when they do occur, an allergic reaction to antibiotics is usually severe and dangerous. Some people who have an allergic reaction to antibiotics can develop severe complications such as anaphylactic shock and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
- fungal infection
In women, the side effects of antibiotics can be in the form of vaginal yeast infections that cause complaints of itching and burning in the vagina, pain during intercourse, anyang-anyangan, to vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor.
- Sensitive to lightThe use of certain antibiotics, especially the tetracyclines, can make you more sensitive to light, including light and sunlight. As a result, all the light that you see will be blinding and make the eyes uncomfortable.
- Teeth change colorSome types of antibiotics, such as tetracycline and doxycycline, can cause side effects in the form of permanent discoloration of teeth when given to children under 8 years of age.
- Antibiotic resistance
When the germs that cause infection are resistant to antibiotics, bacterial infections will be difficult to cure. Because of their immunity, germs are also at high risk of causing severe infections, such as sepsis.
In addition to some of the side effects above, there are still many side effects of antibiotics that can appear, namely:
- Connective tissue damage, such as tendonitis and tendon rupture. These side effects can occur with the use of -type antibiotics fluoroquinolones, cephalosporin, sulfonamide, and azythromycin.
- Headache.
- Heart problems, such as an irregular heartbeat and low blood pressure.
- Blood disorders, such as leukopenia or a decreased white blood cell count and thrombocytopenia or a low platelet count.
- seizures.
- Mouth tastes sour or bitter.
To reduce the risk of side effects of antibiotics, make sure you take antibiotics as prescribed until they run out and don't buy antibiotics over the counter without a prescription or doctor's supervision.
The consumption of antibiotics should not be stopped suddenly even though the symptoms of the infection have disappeared. If antibiotics are not taken, the bacteria causing the infection can become resistant to the antibiotics.
Also avoid taking antibiotics that are prescribed to others and do not give your antibiotics to others without consulting a doctor first.
In general, antibiotics are quite safe to use, as long as you follow the instructions for use from your doctor. However, if you feel the side effects of antibiotics after using them, consult your doctor again, especially if the side effects of antibiotics are felt to be quite severe and do not go away.