As mentioned before, antibiotics stop or kill harmful bacteria in our bodies. It is normal to have a certain amount of bacteria. As bacteria multiplies, our immune systems usually kick in to fight and kill them.
White blood cells go to battle with the multiplying army of bacteria and usually win. However, sometimes the amount of bacteria overpowers the strength of our immune system. This is where antibiotics come into play. Antibiotics work in one of two ways:.
It is important to be aware that though antibiotics work against many life-threatening illnesses, they do not work against viruses. You must first determine whether the illness is bacterial or viral to determine the proper medication. If someone has coronavirus and also develops a bacterial infection as a complication, antibiotics can help cure the bacterial infection, but not the coronavirus.
Antibiotics have not been around all that long. The first natural antibiotic was penicillin, which was first discovered in by Sir Alexander Fleming of England.
And the discovery happened purely by accident! Fleming, known to be a careless lab technician, had been experimenting with the influenza virus. While he was away for two weeks on vacation, upon his return he discovered mold had been growing on the staphylococcus culture.
And the mold had prevented its growth. This accidental breakthrough changed the face of medicine as we knew it. At the time of the discovery, bacterial endocarditis, bacterial meningitis, and pneumococcal pneumonia were all fatal diseases.
After the penicillin was discovered, these illnesses could be easily treated. And this group of drugs has continued to save millions of lives since the first discovery. Today penicillin-based antibiotics are still very much in use.
Penicillin is, in fact, the most widely used antibiotic in the world. Some common penicillin-based antibiotics include ampicillin, amoxicillin, and penicillin G. Antibiotics are diverse. There are many types of modern antibiotics and some that are still being invented today. Then there are also topical antibiotics in the form of over-the-counter ointments, lotions, and creams that are used for skin infections. Antibiotics can be taken orally in the form of liquids, tablets, or capsules.
They can also be given by injection. Some antibiotics work for a broad spectrum of illnesses, while others treat a few specific bacterias. Some attack aerobic bacteria that need oxygen, while others attack anaerobic bacteria which does not need oxygen.
Antibiotics are incredibly useful in that they are fast-acting. Some will even begin working within a few hours.
This is so important when dealing with a quickly-spreading illness. As you can see, the convenience, diversity, and availability make antibiotics practically a miracle drug for the modern-day.
Feeling fatigued can happen when taking some antibiotics. This rare but potentially serious side effect occurs in some common antibiotics prescribed today. The exact reason as to why fatigue occurs in some individuals is still not known today. Since the helpful bacteria have been wiped out, the body may become fatigued. However, not all antibiotics cause fatigue.
We will discuss a few of the most common ones that do. And the side effect of sleepiness or tiredness is said to be relatively rare. Pay attention if you are taking the following medications and are feeling fatigued:.
Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:. Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare professional who knows your medical history. Cephalexin oral capsule can interact with other medications, vitamins , or herbs you may be taking.
An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Side effects from cephalexin: Taking cephalexin with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from cephalexin.
This is because the amount of cephalexin in your body is increased. An example of these drugs is probenecid. Side effects from other drugs: Taking cephalexin with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from these drugs. An example of these drugs is metformin. Taking metformin and cephalexin together may cause kidney problems. Your doctor may adjust your dose of metformin to reduce this risk.
However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. Always speak with your healthcare professional about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room.
Taking it again could be fatal cause death. For people with kidney problems: If you have kidney problems or a history of kidney disease, you may not be able to clear this drug from your body. This may increase the levels of this drug in your body and cause more side effects. Your doctor may adjust your dose if you have kidney disease. Talk with your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you. For pregnant women: Cephalexin is a pregnancy category B drug. That means two things:.
Cephalexin should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. For women who are breastfeeding: Cephalexin passes into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk with your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication. For seniors: The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to.
This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of the drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Ask your doctor if you should use a backup method of birth control while taking antibiotics. The most common side effects of antibiotics include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps, so yes, antibiotics can make you feel unwell. Fatigue is one possible side effect of amoxicillin, but not everybody who takes amoxicillin will feel tired after taking it.
Some antibiotics may cause dizziness. A dizzy feeling may also be caused by your illness or dehydration. If the doctor thinks antibiotics are appropriate, they can send an electronic prescription to your pharmacy. The relationship between short-term antibiotic treatments and fatigue in healthy individuals.
Harvard Health Publishing. Most PlushCare articles are reviewed by M. Ds, N. Click here to learn more and meet some of the professionals behind our blog. The PlushCare blog, or any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. For more information click here. Antibiotic Resistance — Everything You Need to Know In the presence of a bacterial infection, your doctor will likely prescribe….
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