Nowadays, everyone who turns to doctors has been conditionally divided into two camps. The first half includes those who do not take antibiotics and rely on traditional medicine and body reserves. The second - on the contrary, considers any treatment without antibacterial drugs ineffective and requires a mandatory prescription from the doctor. Where is the truth and is it possible to use antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription? Let's try to figure it out.
When are antibiotics needed?
Of course, the brilliant invention of pharmacological science - an antibiotic - has saved more than one life. Previously, it was practically a panacea that lifted the dying from bed. Today it is commonplace: in any pharmacy you can easily buy antibiotics without prescriptions, for every taste and budget.
But before you run for an antibacterial drug with any sneezing and pain in the side, it is worth remembering when their use makes sense.
- Complications after respiratory viral infections. It is complications, since an antibiotic is powerless against a viral disease. Typically, a secondary infection is manifested by a sharp deterioration in health after a short recovery period.
- Laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections and the inflammatory processes that they cause.
- Chronic inflammatory diseases and their relapses.
- Acute manifestation of inflammatory processes.
- Prevention of infectious inflammation after surgery.
In serious situations, the attending physician prescribes the antibiotic regimen. But with seasonal ailments and exacerbations of chronic diseases, we tend to prescribe antibiotics for ourselves without prescriptions.
Application features
Antibacterial drugs quite quickly and effectively help calm the symptoms of the disease. But besides the fact that they must be correctly selected, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules of antibiotic treatment, otherwise they will not be able to act or the side effect of the drugs will appear.
- Antibiotics sold without a doctor’s prescription should be taken strictly according to the scheme described in the instructions for the drug. Dosage is calculated depending on the weight or age of the patient. You can be guided by the regimen prescribed by the doctor individually for the patient.
- It is undesirable to skip doses of the drug. If you need to take an antibiotic two or three times a day, it is best to do this at the same time.
- Antibiotic treatment should take a course of at least 5 days. The course of admission must be brought to an end, even if the visible symptoms of the disease no longer bother. If the effect of treatment does not occur, then the doctor may extend the course of treatment with the drug or recommend a change in the drug.
- During treatment, the use of alcohol in any form is unacceptable. It not only creates an enormous load on the liver, but can also weaken the effect of the antibiotic. As a result, there will be no benefit from the treatment, but only harm.
Reviews of patients who have to be treated with antibiotics are almost always positive. But the key to the success of treatment is, first and foremost, the right choice of the drug.
Groups of antibacterial drugs
Depending on the nature and severity of the disease, antibiotics of different groups are used: they have different effects and affect different types of bacteria. The stronger the drug, the more dangerous it is to use antibiotics without prescriptions or doctor's recommendations.
The following antibiotic groups are most popular:
- Penicillins. Not only bacteria are affected, but also able to stop their growth and reproduction. Virtually no toxic effect on the body. Quite quickly, they are eliminated and lost their effectiveness with prolonged use: bacteria develop resistance to the drug. Allergic reactions are possible.
- Cephalosporins. They have a wide spectrum of action and are effective in many bacterial infections. The advantage of antibiotics in this group is the ability to destroy penicillin-resistant bacteria. Among the side effects, an allergic reaction and a violation of microflora are observed.
- Macrolides. Block the growth and reproduction of bacteria; able to penetrate into the cells and fight the causative agents of complex diseases. Almost non-toxic: suitable for long courses of treatment, but can be used in short courses of taking antibiotics.
- Tetracyclines. Also affect the reproduction and growth of bacteria, however, with prolonged use, they can have a destructive effect on the body. Most often used for external use in the form of ointments and creams.
How to choose an antibiotic?
Taking antibiotics without prescriptions on your own is always a risk. The right drug is always the first step towards recovery.
Penicillin antibiotics are used to treat infections of the oral cavity, chronic tonsillitis, tonsillitis, scarlet fever, as well as infection of wound surfaces and pneumonia . The most popular representatives of such drugs are ampicillin and amoxicillin. These drugs are resistant to the action of hydrochloric acid of the stomach, therefore, are effective in the form of capsules or tablets. They should be used twice a day, regardless of food intake.
When there is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract, respiratory tract, inflammatory processes of acute and chronic nature with ENT diseases, antibiotics of a number of cephalosporins are used. The most popular drugs: ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, cefuroxime. The effectiveness of treatment increases with intramuscular injection of drugs 2 times a day at regular intervals.
An over-the-counter antibiotic that has been shown to be highly effective in treating chlamydia, genital infections, and SARS is azithromycin. He is the most popular member of the macrolide group. Also, this group of antibiotics is widely used to treat infectious diseases in children and pregnant women due to low toxicity against the background of a pronounced antibacterial effect. Take azithromycin according to the scheme described in the instructions for the drug. Most often this is a single use per day of a tablet or suspension.
In inflammatory skin diseases, infection of wounds, as well as bacterial infections of the mucous membranes, ointments containing tetracycline are widely used. They are relatively safe for local use and quite effective.
Features of treating children
Children taking antibiotics without prescriptions is even more dangerous: an improperly selected drug may not have the expected effect, and the disease will progress.
Many mothers know their children well: in babies, frequent respiratory infections are accompanied by the same complications. The pediatrician prescribes an antibiotic according to the standard scheme. And when the story repeats, parents rush not to the pediatrician for a prescription, but to the pharmacy for salvation in the form of an antibiotic.
In this case, self-medication is acceptable, but subject to constant monitoring of the baby's condition. If symptoms persist after three days of treatment, and health deteriorates, a pediatrician should be consulted immediately.
Most often, parents themselves take antibiotics of the penicillin group: amoxicillin, flemoxil, ampicillin. They are quite effective for diseases of the throat and upper respiratory tract.
You should not take more complex drugs on your own: the pediatrician will not only prescribe an antibiotic regimen, but also prescribe additional medications to reduce the harmful effects of drugs on the child's body.
Be careful!
If you decide to take antibiotics yourself, without waiting for a doctor’s recommendation, then you need to remember a few key points of treatment.
- Antibiotics require regularity and severity of admission.
- Some drugs affect not only the "bad" bacteria that cause the disease, but also the "good" microflora. Be prepared for disruptions in the intestines, you may have to combine antibiotics and lactobacilli.
- Do not take alcohol or fatty or heavy foods. The antibiotic is excreted by the liver, the load on it is increased due to illness and treatment, do not abuse its hard work.
- Closely monitor the state of health: at the slightest sign of an allergic reaction, worsening of the condition or the emergence of new symptoms - the drug should be stopped and seek medical advice.
Which antibiotics without prescriptions can be taken, and which are not worth it - it's up to you. If you know your body well and can say that this or that antibiotic will help you, take it according to the instructions. But if in doubt, it is better not to take the time and consult a doctor: the result will be faster and more effective.