01/12/2014

Whatareantibiotics?Howdoantibioticswork?MedicalNewsToday

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What are antibiotics? How do antibiotics work?

Last updated: 11 September 2014
Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses

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Knowledge center

Antibiotics, also known as antibacterials, are types of medications that destroy or slow down
the growth of bacteria. The Greek word anti means "against", and the Greek word bios
means "life" (bacteria are life forms).
Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Bacteria are microscopic organisms,
some of which may cause illness. The word bacteria is the plural of bacterium.
Such illnesses as syphilis, tuberculosis, salmonella, and some forms of meningitis are caused by
bacteria. Some bacteria are harmless, while others are good for us.
Contents of this article:
1.

What are antibiotics?

2.

How do antibiotics work?

3.

What are antibiotics for?

4.

What are the side-effects of antibiotics?

5.

Allergic reactions to antibiotics

6.

Antibiotics may clash (interact) with other medicines

7.

How to use antibiotics

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What are antibiotics?

The US National Library of Medicine 1 says that antibiotics - powerful medicines that fight bacterial
infections - can save lives when used properly. Antibiotics either stop bacteria from reproducing or kill
them. "Your body's natural defenses can usually take it from there."
Before bacteria can multiply and cause symptoms, the body's immune system can usually destroy
them. We have special white blood cells that attack harmful bacteria. Even if symptoms do occur, our
immune system can usually cope and fight off the infection. There are occasions, however, when it is
all too much and some help is needed.....from antibiotics.
The first antibiotic was penicillin. Such penicillinrelated antibiotics as ampicillin, amoxicillin and
benzylpenicilllin are widely used today to treat a
variety of infections - these antibiotics have been
around for a long time.
There are several different types of modern
antibiotics and they are only available with a
doctor's prescription in most countries.
Overusing antibiotics - There is concern worldwide
that antibiotics are being overused. Antibiotic
overuse is one of the factors that contributes
towards the growing number of bacterial infections
which are becoming resistant to antibacterial
medications.

Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the first

natural antibiotic, in 1928.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), outpatient antibiotic overuse in
the USA is a particular problem in the Southeast.
The ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) says that antibiotic resistance
continues to be a serious public health threat worldwide. In a statement issued in 19th November
2012, the ECDC informed that an estimated 25,000 people die each year in the European Union from
antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
New ECDC data has shown that there has been a considerable increase over the last four years of
combined resistance to multiple antibiotics in E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in over one third of EU
and EEA (European Economic Area) nations. Consumption of carbapenems, a major class of last-line
antibiotics, increased significantly from 2007 to 2010.
Antibiotic resistance: how has it become a global threat to public health? Then there is the danger
that the ignorant man may easily underdose himself and by exposing his microbes to non-lethal
quantities of the drug, make them resistant," said Alexander Fleming, speaking in his Nobel Prize
acceptance speech in 1945. As predicted almost 70 years ago by the man who discovered the first
antibiotic, drug resistance is upon us.

How do antibiotics work?

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Although there are a number of different types of antibiotic they all work in one of two ways:
A bactericidal antibiotic kills the bacteria. Penicillin is a bactericidal. A bactericidal usually either
interferes with the formation of the bacterium's cell wall or its cell contents.
A bacteriostatic stops bacteria from multiplying.

What are antibiotics for?

An antibiotic is given for the treatment of an infection caused by bacteria. Antibiotics target
microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and parasites. However, they are not effective against viruses.
If you have an infection it is important to know whether it is caused by bacteria or a virus. Most upper
respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold and sore throats are generally caused by viruses
- antibiotics do not work against these viruses.
If antibiotics are overused or used incorrectly there
is a risk that the bacteria will become resistant the antibiotic becomes less effective against that
type of bacterium.
A broad-spectrum antibiotic can be used to treat a
wide range of infections. A narrow-spectrum
antibiotic is only effective against a few types of
bacteria. There are antibiotics that attack aerobic
bacteria, while others work against anaerobic
bacteria. Aerobic bacteria need oxygen, while
anaerobic bacteria don't.

Electron micrograph of clumps of methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria,

which are becoming more resistant to antibiotics.

Antibiotics may be given beforehand, to prevent

infection, as might be the case before surgery. This
is called 'prophylactic' use of antibiotics. They are commonly used before bowel and orthopedic
surgery.

What are the side-effects of antibiotics?

Below is a list of the most common side-effects of antibiotics:
Diarrhea - researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine found that a rise in sugars in
the gut following antibiotic treatment allows harmful bacteria to get a foothold and cause
infection. Harmful bacteria thrive on sugar.
Feeling and being sick.
Fungal infections of the mouth, digestive tract and vagina.
Below is a list of rare side-effects of antibiotics:
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Formation of kidney stones (when taking sulphonamides).

Abnormal blood clotting (when taking some cephalosporins).
Sensitivity to sun (when taking tetracyclines).
Blood disorders (when taking trimethoprim).
Deafness (when taking erythromycin and the aminoglycosides).
Some patients, especially elderly ones, may experience inflamed bowels (a type of colitis) which can
lead to severe diarrhea. Clindamycin, an antibiotic used for the most serious infections, commonly has
this side effect. However, although much less common, penicillins, cephalosporins and erythromycin
might do too.
In August 2012, Scientists from the NY School of Medicine found that babies who are exposed to
antibiotics have a greater risk of becoming overweight or obese children. Their study was published
in the International Journal of Obesity.

Allergic reactions to antibiotics

Some patients may develop an allergic reaction to antibiotics - especially penicillins. Side effects might
include a rash, swelling of the tongue and face, and difficulty breathing.
Allergic reactions to antibiotics may be immediate or delayed hypersensitivity reactions 2 .
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic you must tell your doctor and/or pharmacist.
Reactions to antibiotics can be very serious, and sometimes fatal - they are called anaphylactic
reactions.
Use antibiotics with extreme caution and ensure you inform your doctor/pharmacist if:
You have reduced liver or kidney function.
You are pregnant
You are breastfeeding

Antibiotics may clash (interact) with other medicines

If you are taking an antibiotic do not take other medicines or herbal remedies without telling your
doctor first. OTC (over the counter, non-prescription) medicines might also clash with your antibiotic.
Penicillins, cephalosporins, and some other antibiotics may undermine the effectiveness of oral
contraceptives. If the antibiotic has caused diarrhea/vomiting the absorption of contraceptives may
also be disrupted. If you are taking any of these drugs you should consider taking additional
contraceptive precautions.

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How to use antibiotics

Antibiotics are usually taken by mouth (orally); however, they can also be administered by injection, or
applied directly to the affected part of the body.
Most antibiotics start having an effect on an infection within a few hours. It is important to remember
to complete the whole course of the medication to prevent the infection from coming back.
If you do not complete the course, there is a higher chance the bacteria may become resistant to
future treatments - because the ones that survive when you did not complete the course have had
some exposure to the antibiotic and may consequently have built up a resistance to it. Even if you are
feeling better, you still need to complete the course.
Some antibiotics should not be consumed with certain foods and drinks. Others should not be taken
with food in your stomach - these would normally be taken about an hour before meals, or two hours
after. It is crucial that you follow the instructions correctly if you want the medication to be effective. If
you are taking metronidazole do not consume alcohol.
Dairy products should not be consumed if you are taking tetracyclines, as they might affect the
absorption of the medication.

Video - Antibiotics
In this video, by the Open University, UK, scientists explain how the natural processes of microbes are
used to fight disease.
Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission.
References

1.

"Antibiotics" , US National Library of Medicine.

2.

"Update on the Management of Antibiotic Allergy" , Bernard Yu-Hor Thong, Allergy Asthma Immunol
Res. 2010 April; 2(2): 7786.

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