By Marlee Luck, PharmD, RPh
Pharmacy Resident, Blanchard Valley Health System

Have you ever forgotten to take a couple of doses of your antibiotics? Have you ever saved your antibiotics “just in case” you need them in the future? Have you ever taken someone else’s antibiotic? Answering yes to any of these questions contributes to increased antibiotic resistance, which is a worldwide issue.

Bacteria are a type of germ that can be spread from person to person or contracted from the environment. Antibiotics are a class of medications that are used to treat bacterial infections. Each bacteria has different medications that will kill or weaken it and allow for the infection to improve. Medical professionals are able to match the bacteria in the infections to an antibiotic that is likely to treat the infections, but there are ways that bacteria can overcome treatment. Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria develop ways to survive the use of medicines meant to kill or weaken them.

Not all illnesses require treatment with antibiotics. Common viral infections that do not require antibiotics include the common cold and the flu. Infections caused by viruses will not be cured with antibiotics, and treatment with antibiotics can also contribute to antibacterial resistance. Your healthcare provider will be able to recommend proper treatment. 

During a bacterial infection, it is common that after the first few doses of medication, you will start to feel better. Stopping a course of antibiotics early increases the risk that bacteria will develop resistance because they will survive and continue to multiply. If the bacteria are resistant to the treatment, the infection will not resolve. Sometimes, your healthcare provider will change your medication if they receive more information about the infection and there is a more effective medication. In that case, the previous antibiotics should be stopped and safely discarded. 

Taking someone else’s antibiotic or saving previous medications for future use can also contribute to resistance because your infection might not be caused by bacteria, or the medication you are taking might not be effective at killing the bacteria causing your infection. It is important to talk to a healthcare provider if you are sick and need treatment. 

Antibiotic resistance is a concern because antibiotic-resistant bacteria become more difficult to treat, and there are only a limited number of medications that can kill or weaken these bacteria. Since these infections have fewer effective medications, they can lead to serious disability or death. 

Do your part to help combat antibiotic resistance and finish your antibiotics.