Side effects after taking antibiotics. Adverse reactions to taking antibiotics

Instructions

One of the side effects from taking antibiotics is gastrointestinal disorders. Manifest in the form of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or. These occur immediately after taking the medicine and disappear some time after absorption. They are associated with the irritating effect of the pharmacological agent on the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. If after each medication you are bothered by these symptoms, replace the drug with another one, preferably in the form of injections.

A fairly typical manifestation of side effects from taking antibiotics is intestinal dysbiosis. It is connected with the fact that in addition to the destruction of pathogenic bacteria, the drug kills beneficial microflora, which ensures a smooth digestion process. Dysbacteriosis manifests itself in the form of constipation or diarrhea, and feelings of discomfort. Unlike a simple reaction of the gastrointestinal tract, these phenomena occur much later, most often after the end of the course of treatment. To avoid such reactions, during treatment with antibiotics, take medications that contain live lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. In addition, drink kefir, yogurt or fermented baked milk on an empty stomach, 1 glass 3 times a day.

Often, when taking antibiotics, allergic reactions of varying severity occur, up to anaphylactic shock. Itching, redness and rash on the skin may occur on the second day of treatment. Dermatitis and eczema appear later, 2 weeks after starting treatment. If, after starting treatment, you notice manifestations of allergic reactions, immediately stop taking the drug and replace it with a drug from another group of antibiotics. In addition, start taking antihistamines to eliminate the effects of an allergic reaction.

Another common side effect of antibiotics is the occurrence of vaginal candidiasis. Antibacterial drugs suppress normal microflora and cause active proliferation of candida, a fungus that is not sensitive to antibiotics. If, some time after treatment, symptoms of candidiasis appear, such as itching and curdled discharge from the genital tract, start taking antifungal medications. Local treatment will be most effective - such products are available in the form of vaginal suppositories. To prevent such side effects, start taking antifungal drugs at the same time as antibiotics.

Taking antibiotics is a necessary measure in the presence of some serious diseases that threaten human health. Since their discovery, antibacterial drugs have saved countless lives.

However, despite the high effectiveness of treating certain diseases, they can also cause a number of negative consequences that disrupt the functioning of some organs and systems of the human body. How to minimize side effects from the use of antibiotics? What foods can help with this?

It should be understood that antibiotics are natural or artificially synthesized substances that can affect the growth and development of bacteria. Unfortunately, the beneficial microflora of the body is also destroyed, so its restoration after a course of antibacterial therapy is mandatory.

Only a doctor should decide whether to take antibiotics. It is he who selects the necessary drug, release form, dosage and sets the duration of treatment. Antibiotics are most often prescribed for:

• Pneumonia;
• Tuberculosis;
• Blood poisoning;
• Acute gastrointestinal infections;
• Postoperative complications;
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

The main contraindications for taking antibacterial drugs are early dates pregnancy and infancy.

Negative consequences of taking antibiotics include:

• Disturbance of intestinal microflora

Synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotics are aimed at the massive destruction of bacteria, including those necessary for normal human life. Since beneficial microflora can be restored rather slowly, its place in the intestines can be taken by new pathogenic bacteria and fungi, which leads to a decrease in immunity and increases the risk of developing various chronic diseases.

• Malfunctions of the digestive system

Taking antibiotics negatively affects the digestive system due to the lack of enzymes produced by beneficial bacteria. This, in particular, leads to irritation of the gastric mucosa and also disrupts the functioning of the exocrine glands.

• Allergic reactions

Individual intolerance to the drug can lead to acute allergic reactions: itching, redness, rash and swelling.

• Disorders of the nervous system

The use of antibiotics in rare cases can lead to malfunctions in the peripheral part of the vestibular analyzer, as well as the possible appearance of auditory or visual hallucinations.

• Impaired cellular respiration

It has been proven that taking antibacterial drugs has a strong negative impact on the process of oxygen delivery to human organs and tissues, disrupting their normal functioning.

In order to minimize the negative consequences of taking antibiotics, you should follow a number of simple rules that are effective in preventing damage to health. These include:

• Antibiotics are taken only as prescribed by a doctor.

The use of antibiotics is justified only in cases of diseases caused by bacterial infections. It should also be recalled that viral diseases Antibacterial drugs are not treated and their use to combat them is inappropriate.

• Keep a log of antibiotic intake

It is necessary to record which drug was taken, for how long and for what disease it was prescribed. It is also necessary to write down everything side effects and manifestations of allergies. This information should be provided to the attending physician for more precise prescribing of subsequent treatment.

• Strictly follow the schedule and rules for taking the drug

To maintain the optimal amount of antibiotic in the blood, it is necessary to maintain equal periods of time between doses. Some medications are taken before meals, while others are taken after. Detailed information about the specifics of use must be carefully studied and strictly followed.

• Take a full course of antibiotics

It is strictly forbidden to interrupt taking the drug after the first signs of improvement. The course of treatment must be completed completely.

• Do not try to adjust the dosage of the medicine yourself

Taking antibiotics in insufficient quantities only increases the resistance of pathogens to the drug. Uncontrolled use and increase in the amount of antibacterial drugs can lead to a number of negative consequences for human health.

• Make adjustments to your diet

While using antibiotics, you must adhere to a gentle diet and avoid fatty, fried, spicy, sour foods, as well as alcohol.

In order to minimize the negative consequences for human health from taking antibiotics, it is necessary to seriously reconsider your diet and introduce into it foods that help improve the functioning of the digestive system and strengthen the immune system. Such food products include:

• Fermented milk products containing probiotics

The introduction of foods rich in “live cultures” into the diet will allow the body to gently get rid of stool disorders (one of the most common companions to the use of antibiotics). Probiotics also help generate lactic acid, which helps remove bacterial toxins from the body.

• Fermented food

These are products obtained using a fermentation process. These include, sauerkraut and various pickles. They are already partially processed by bacterial enzymes and are easily absorbed by the body. In addition, such food improves appetite, speeds up metabolism and improves immunity.

• Garlic

Garlic is a food with strong antimicrobial properties that help fight bacterial infection. In addition, it contains substances that protect the kidneys and liver from possible damage antibacterial drugs.

• Ginger

Ginger is known for its antimicrobial properties and ability to prevent and treat many health problems associated with various infections. Fresh ginger has antibiotic effects against foodborne pathogens and respiratory infections. It is also effective in eliminating nausea, vomiting and diarrhea associated with antibiotics.

Antibiotics help cure many pathologies, even the most complex ones, which could previously lead to death. But when using antibiotic therapy, you need to take into account the possibility of side effects.

How can the action manifest itself?

Side effects of antibiotics can manifest themselves in different ways: from ordinary nausea to pathological fatal conditions. And, as a rule, such manifestations are caused by incorrect prescription of medications or undisciplined use of such medications by the patient.

Allergic reaction to antibiotics

Side effects, manifested by symptoms of allergic formation when using antibiotics, are increased sensitivity (sensitization) of the body to such drugs.

The most common allergic reaction is caused by penicillins. This phenomenon is observed due to the high sensitization ability of the products, as well as the widespread use. The use of other types of antibiotic drugs does not cause allergies as often.

It can be noted that increased sensitivity of the body is observed when taking one group of drugs that are related in chemical components (penicillin, tetracycline, etc.). Side effects, manifested by allergy symptoms, can be observed not only in a sick person, but also in those whose professional activities are associated with antibiotics. These include doctors, nurses, pharmacists and employees of pharmaceutical companies.

If a person works in such an enterprise or in a medical institution, it is necessary to prevent the contact of medications on unprotected skin.

If the antibiotic causes an allergy, you should consult your doctor about changing the medication. It is not advisable to stop treatment on your own.

If a mild allergic reaction is observed (itching, rash or hives), the doctor will prescribe antihistamines and calcium-containing medications. If the allergic manifestation is of moderate severity (swelling, serum sickness), glucocorticoids are prescribed.

When there is anaphylactic shock, parenteral administration of adrenaline is prescribed. Afterwards, intravenous administration of glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone, prednisolone), antihistamines, and calcium-containing drugs is performed. Oxygen inhalation and warming the human body are also used. If the situation requires it, artificial respiration is performed.

Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract

The gastrointestinal tract is a rather vulnerable part of the body to taking antibiotic drugs. This section is the center of passage of the entire composition of the drug, and irritation and disruption of the natural microflora occurs.

You can note nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation - those reactions that occur primarily when the body is incompatible with the antibiotic. The most severe reaction is observed when taking medications on an empty stomach: direct contact with the stomach and intestines provokes severe irritation.

If possible, the doctor replaces antibiotics in tablet form with an intravenous method of administration. Often antibiotics can destroy beneficial microflora, after which dysbacteriosis is diagnosed, requiring long-term treatment. This disease causes great discomfort: bloating, unstable stool, colic.

Strong antibiotics in tablet form cause severe dysbiosis. In this case, bleeding gums and rupture of capillaries under the skin are observed.

The cause of severe disease is a lack of vitamin K, which is destroyed by antibiotics in the intestinal environment.

To eliminate dysbiosis, if it is impossible to cancel treatment with antibiotic drugs, the doctor prescribes such medicines, which are able to restore beneficial bacteria in the intestines (probiotics, prebiotics).

Manifestation of thrush

Side effects may include the appearance of thrush. Thrush is popularly called candidiasis, in which specific discharge from the vaginal area is observed, which looks like a cheesy mass.

If treatment with antibiotics is necessary, if the development of thrush is observed in parallel, not only drugs that restore the microflora are used, but it is also recommended to take antifungal drugs to suppress pathogenic flora.

Doctors prescribe topical agents (ointments, suppositories).

Effect on internal organs

Side effects may include negative impact and on internal organs. The action of the antibiotic itself is toxic. Its accumulation in the body occurs through organs such as the liver, kidneys, and spleen, thereby poisoning both the pathogen and the structural cells of these organs.

Hemotoxic effects are observed on the liver, especially in cases where there were previously problems with its functioning. The same effect occurs on the kidneys. A nephrotoxic effect may be observed, which causes disruption of the functioning of the entire body.

For existing renal and hepatic pathologies, before treatment with antibiotic drugs, the doctor must assess the risk of such treatment, constantly monitoring the progress of therapy.

Hemotoxicity and nephrotoxicity are accompanied by pain in the kidney area, irregular or increased secretion of urinary fluid.

A urine test determines the level of elevated creatinine. With liver damage, pain occurs in this area, general malaise, yellowing of the sclera and skin, darkening of the urine.

An equally common side effect is the appearance of neurotoxicosis. In this case, the development of deafness, blindness, and dysfunction of the vestibular apparatus is sometimes noted. With a moderate level of neurotoxicosis, only dizziness and heaviness in the head may occur. With a strong side effect, the auditory and visual systems and facial nerves are affected. Such damage may not be recoverable.

Other types of side effects on the human body

A hematological disorder may occur, which is considered in medicine the most severe adverse reaction to taking antibiotics. A hematological disorder consists of the development of a hemolytic type of anemia, in which the destruction of blood cells occurs when the molecular substance of drugs settles. Taking a drug such as Levomycetin can lead to severe damage.

An equally common reaction to the use of antibiotics is a local reaction, which directly depends on the method by which the drug was administered.

Many antibiotics, when administered, cause tissue irritation, thereby provoking a local inflammatory reaction, abscesses, and allergic manifestations.

If intramuscular administration of the drug is observed, a painful infiltrate or compaction may form in the injection area.

In the case where sterility is not observed when administering the drug intramuscularly, the formation of suppuration (abscess) is possible. If intravenous administration of the drug is observed, an inflammatory process may occur in the venous walls: the development of phlebitis, which is accompanied by compacted painful formations along the line of the veins.

When using local products such as ointments, gels and aerosols, dermatitis or conjunctivitis may develop.

In any case, you should consult your doctor before using an antibiotic as treatment. The simplest rule for preventing side effects is to strictly follow the recommendations of your treating specialist.

The consequences of taking antibiotics can be very different and manifest themselves in the form of diarrhea, nausea or rash on the skin. Such medications are used to treat many pathologies, but often provoke the development of side conditions. After antibiotic therapy, a set of measures is necessarily selected aimed at eliminating the consequences of such treatment and restoring normal intestinal functioning. There may be antibiotics in meat and animals, so they can enter the human body without his knowledge. What dangerous consequences can cause taking such drugs, and how often can you take antibiotics?

Digestive problems

Treatment of pathology with the help of such drugs often leads to the development of negative reactions from the gastrointestinal tract. The patient begins to complain of the appearance of:

• diarrhea;
• diarrhea;
• constipation;
• flatulence.

Such side effects appear after the use of many broad-spectrum drugs and this is due to their irritating effect on the mucous surface of the digestive system. Usually like this unpleasant consequences appear during treatment with antibiotics in the form of capsules or tablets, so to avoid them, you should take the medicine after meals or in the form of injections.

After completing the course antibacterial treatment Usually the functioning of the digestive system is restored. If this does not happen, this may indicate a violation of the intestinal microflora. Dysbacteriosis is considered the most common consequence of antibiotics, and develops as a result of the inhibitory effect of antibiotics on pathogenic microorganisms and natural inhabitants, which are simply necessary for the proper functioning of the intestines. To restore microflora, specialists can prescribe the use of probiotics, and they are often taken simultaneously with antibiotics.

The danger of dysbiosis after the use of antibiotics lies not only in the appearance of unpleasant sensations in the digestive system, but also in the development of more dangerous consequences. The intestine is the site of synthesis of vital vitamins and parahormones, and disruption of this process negatively affects the functioning of various organs and systems. In order to avoid this, when carrying out antibiotic therapy in adults, multivitamin complexes are prescribed in tablets. It is imperative to check with your doctor which antibiotic is best to take for a particular disease, and which ones should be avoided.

Allergies and decreased immunity

Some people may develop allergies to antibacterial drugs such as cephalosporins and penicillin. In addition, experts say that it is possible that meat contains antibiotics. Characteristic manifestations of an allergic reaction when taking antibiotics are:

• rash on the skin;
• swelling of tissues;
• rhinitis;
• wheezing;
• fever.

Studies have confirmed the existence of a connection between fetal exposure to antibacterial drugs during pregnancy or early childhood and the subsequent development of asthma. If a person has allergies, antibiotics should be used as little as possible to treat pathologies. If any adverse reactions occur, you must inform your doctor and change the medicine to a safer one.

It is in the gastrointestinal tract that a large number of bacteria live, which take an active part in the formation of the human body’s immunity. The course of treatment usually lasts 7-10 days and it is better to take the medicine 3 times a day. Indiscriminate and uncontrolled use of antibiotics leads to the destruction of both harmful and beneficial bacteria. All this reduces the effectiveness of the immune system and increases the risk of developing secondary bacterial pathologies.

Intoxication of organs and tissues

Such drugs have negative action on the functioning of many organ systems, and which antibiotics to take are determined only by a doctor. This is due to the fact that the medicine itself is toxic and at the same time the body is poisoned by particles of cells destroyed by bacteria. The greatest danger to the body are those antibiotics that act directly on the liver and kidneys, and disruption of their functioning can cause the following symptoms:

• pain in the lumbar region;
• feverish condition;
• loss of appetite or its complete absence;
• high levels of creatinine and urea in blood tests;
• decrease or increase in urine volume;
• strong thirst;
• yellow coloring of the skin;
• dark urine and colorless stool.

Many antibacterial drugs also negatively affect the functioning of the nervous system. Self-medication with antibiotics can cause the patient to experience headaches and dizziness, as well as problems sleeping. Among the dangerous consequences of taking antibiotics are damage to the auditory and visual nerves.

Other effects of treatment

With prolonged and uncontrolled use of antibacterial drugs, oxidative stress is possible, which increases the risk of developing various cancers in men and women. It is important to remember that such medications are not allowed to be taken when fighting viral infections, or at will.

Some drugs that can be used to treat many pathologies can provoke the development of urinary tract infections, especially in childhood. This is due to the fact that under the influence active substances the beneficial bacteria living near the urethra are destroyed. All this contributes to the fact that dangerous microorganisms begin their active growth in the organs of the urinary system. It is possible to avoid the development of a urinary tract infection by observing good personal hygiene.

It should be remembered that taking antibacterial drugs may affect the effectiveness birth control pills. It is for this reason that if such treatment is necessary in women, they should switch to other methods of contraception for a while.

Taking antibacterial drugs can cause the development of diseases such as thrush or candidiasis. Fungi live on the mucous membrane oral cavity and vagina, and when beneficial bacteria die, their number begins to grow rapidly. Characteristic features candidiasis become:

• white discharge;
• unpleasant odor;
• itching and burning in the genital area;
• pain during urination;
• discomfort during sexual intercourse.

With the development of candidiasis in the mouth, you may notice the formation of a white coating both on the tongue and on the gums and cheeks.

Rules for antibacterial treatment

When treating with antibiotics, you need to remember that taking them can cause various side effects and complications, and this is determined by the individual characteristics of the human body. During this treatment, it is recommended to consume as much fluid as possible to prevent dehydration. In addition, you will have to give up coffee, alcohol and spicy foods for a while.

It is important to remember that all antibacterial drugs should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor. In case of an overdose of antibiotics, the consequences can be very different, so you should follow the treatment prescribed by your doctor and not take medications for longer than prescribed. It is not allowed to stop treatment when the patient is relieved, but you must complete the entire course to the end.

Usually, three doses of medication are prescribed and it is best to do this at the same time, which will allow maintaining a constant level of medication in the body. In order to avoid problems with intestinal function and the negative effects of the drug on the body, it is best to combine the use of such medications with probiotics. Some drugs that are successfully used to treat adults can be quite dangerous for newborns and infants.