Anti biotic

Effects, symptoms of overdose, mode of action

Antibiotics Introduction
Antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed medications in modern medicine. Antibiotics cure disease by killing or injuring bacteria. The first antibiotic was penicillin, discovered accidentally from a mold culture. Today, over 100 different antibiotics are available to cure minor, as well as life-threatening infections. Although antibiotics are useful in a wide variety of infections, it is important to realize that antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics are useless against viral infections (for example, the common cold) and fungal infections (such as ringworm .)Your doctor can best determine if an antibiotic is right for your condition.

How do antibiotics work?

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.

Types of Antibiotics
Although there are well over 100 antibiotics, the majority come fromonly a few types of drugs. These are the main classes of antibiotics: Penicillins such as penicillin and amoxicillin Cephalosporins such as cephalexin Macrolides such as erythromycin Fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin Tetracyclines such as tetracycline Aminoglycosides such asgentamicin

Side Effects of Antibiotics

Antibiotics may have side effects. Some of the more common side effects may include: Soft stools or diarrhea Mild stomach upset You should notify your doctor if you have any of the following side effects: Vomiting Severe watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps Allergic reaction (shortness of breath, hives, swelling of lips, face, or tongue, fainting) Rash Vaginal itching or discharge White patches on the tongue

Mode of administration
Oral antibacterials are orally ingested, whereas intravenous administration may be used in more serious cases[citation needed ,]such as deep-seated systemic infections .Antibiotics may also sometimes be administered topically ,as with eye drops or ointments .

Symptoms of over use

If antibiotics are overused or used incorrectly there is a chance 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 . 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 .