Antibiotics have revolutionised medicine by providing effective treatments for bacterial infections, leading to significant advancements in healthcare and increased life expectancy. However, just like any other drug, they too pose certain risks, especially if not taken as directed by a doctor.
The common mistake people make with antibiotics, knowingly or unknowingly, is stopping the medication as soon as they start feeling better, whereas doctors usually recommend completing the course – and for some good reasons. In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Vichar Nigam, Consultant - Internal Medicine, Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune, sheds light on the role of antibiotics and why one must complete their course as prescribed by the doctor.
Also Read: Fungal Vs. Bacterial Acne: How To Differentiate Between The Two
Why Is It Important To Complete The Full Course Of Antibiotics?
"Antibiotics are given for a certain amount of time and at a certain dose to kill the bacteria that is causing the infection," explains Dr Nigam, adding that if treatment is stopped too soon, some germs can thrive and re-proliferate, leading to a recurrence of the infection, generally in a more severe form.
In addition to ensuring that the infection is successfully cleared, finishing the entire course is also crucial, according to the doctor. This is because doing so lowers the possibility of the germs developing resistance to the medication over time.
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve to resist the effects of antibiotics, meaning these medications become less effective or even ineffective at killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), antibiotic resistance was directly responsible for 10.27 lakh global deaths in 2019 and contributed to 40.95 lakh deaths.
What Happens If You Stop Taking Antibiotics Midway?
Dr Nigam explains that the bacteria that causes the infection can live and adapt if antibiotics are stopped before the recommended amount of time has passed. “In the future, these partially exposed germs could become more resilient and challenging to treat.”
Therefore, a recurrence of the same sickness, usually with additional complications, could be the immediate result.
“Recurring partial treatments over time lead to the development of resistant bacteria, which reduces the number of available treatments and makes it more challenging to treat common infections with conventional medications,” he adds.
Also Read: When Kidney Infections Don't Respond To Antibiotics: What It Means And What To Do About It?
Side Effects Of Incorrect Antibiotic Use
Using antibiotics improperly or incorrectly can lead to several types of health issues. These include:
- Rashes
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
- Diarrhoea
In more extreme situations, antibiotics could:
- Disrupt the body's delicate bacterial balance.
- Increase the risk of fungal infections or dangerous intestinal disorders such as Clostridium difficile colitis.
- Cause allergic reactions from minor skin eruptions to potentially fatal anaphylaxis.
Therefore, antibiotic safety is important because prolonged abuse can damage essential organs like the liver or kidneys.
A Final Word
Dr Nigam advises:
“Antibiotics should always be taken precisely as directed by a doctor, in the recommended dosage, and for the permitted quantity of time. Since various infections require different treatments, it is important to avoid sharing medications or implementing leftover tablets from a prior sickness. For consistent effectiveness, it's also important to take antibiotics on a regular basis and to abstain from alcohol and superfluous medications that could interact with them. Instead of stopping the medication on one's own, one should seek a doctor as soon as possible if an unusual reaction happens.”