Posts Tagged ‘antibiotics’

Derived from microorganisms like germs (for example fungi and bacteria) and bugs, antibiotics are drugs designed to fight multiply types of bacteria. Bacteria and viruses differ in that the former can live on its own while the latter can only live and multiply within the cells that they invade. Also, viruses tend to be harmful while most bacteria within humans are completely harmless. For those that are damaging to the body’s tissues, antibiotics are prescribed to eliminate the threat since some of these can result in death.

Antibiotics work mainly in two ways. Many simply retard bacterial growth by prohibiting the bacteria’s ability to multiply and spread while others attack and kill the invading bodies by affecting their structures. One of the reasons antibiotics are effective is that they cause no interference in the body. Instead, they work with the body’s own immune system by boosting or initiating the responses needed to eliminate the bacteria.

Uses of Antibiotics

Antibiotics can be administered in oral (tablets and liquids), topical (like ointments or eye drops) and intravenous (IV) forms. Classes of antibiotics include Cephalosporins, Penicillins, Macrolides, Tetracyclines, Aminoglycosides and Fluoroquinolones.

Conditions that are effectively fought with antibiotics include multiple types of the stomach flu, the common cold and influenza, infections of the ear, lungs (like pneumonias), skin, tonsils (tonsillitis), throat (pharyngitis), urinary tract (kidneys and bladder) and open cuts and bruises especially when accompanied by tenderness, redness, pain and swelling. Fevers surpassing 100.4°F in babies under three months are also be treated with antibiotics once proven to be a result of bacterial infections.

Also on the list are upper-respiratory infections especially bronchitis and sinus attacks exceeding 10 days or any upper airway infection that causes the depositing of phlegm. These infections are often characterized by thick, yellow or green secretions from the nose or chest with blood oftentimes being present.

For an antibiotic to be effective, the bacteria it is chosen to fight must be sensitive to it. This is so because any immunity to the chemical on the bacteria’s part will prevent the actions that need to be carried out. Antibiotics must also be geared towards the specific strain of bacteria being treated and not just the type if falls under. How fast the antibiotic takes to enter the site of infection or reach its ‘therapeutic level” is also a factor.

Choosing age appropriate forms of antibiotics is important since giving those made for adults to children can result in health threats. Pregnant and nursing mothers must also avoid some types because defects such as permanent teeth discoloration in children may result from usage. These are seldom the responsibility of patients since antibiotics have to be prescribed by a certified doctor.

Key also to the effectiveness of these chemical is strict adherence to dosage; amounts and prescribed times, as well as meal accompaniment since some bacteria can build up defense mechanisms that will render the antibiotic useless if taken haphazardly. Therefore, make sure that you understand the necessary information before leaving the doctor’s office or your pharmacy.

Medications commonly used for acne treatment include the following:

• Benzoyl peroxide kills the skin bacteria that cause inflammation and helps open the ducts through which sebum passes to the skin surface. It is available without a prescription in 2.5, 5, and 10percent strengths in several forms. Liquids and creams are better for dry skin, while gel forms are more helpful for oily skin. Benzoyl peroxide can be applied once or twice daily after washing the affected area with mild soap and water. It will improve the majority of acne cases if used consistently. If using benzoyl peroxide for one or two months doesn’t help, a doctor should be consulted. A family physician or pediatrician can manage most cases of acne, but for more severe outbreaks, a dermatologist may be needed.
• Tretinoin (Retin-A in various forms and strengths) is extremely effective in unplugging pores and even causing comedones (blackheads) to be expelled from the skin. This can be alarming at first, because the new appearance of comedones on the surface will suggest that the medication is making the acne worse. But this effect is only temporary. Tretinoin typically causes some redness and peeling of the skin. Skin treated with tretinoin sunburns more easily, no avoiding the sun or using a strong sunscreen is important. The combination of tretinoin applied at bedtime (thirty minutes after washing and drying the face) and benzoyl peroxide every morning should control 80 to 85 percent of acne in adolescents.
• Antibiotics applied topically or taken orally some-times help acne treatments by reducing the population of bacteria on the skin. Oral forms of tetracycline or erythromycin are particularly helpful when inflammation is intense. Tetracycline and similar drugs cannot be given to pregnant women or the teeth of a developing fetus or a child.
• Isotretinoin (Accutane), an extremely potent derivative of vitamin A, is used in the most severe cases of acne. Isotretinoin acts essentially like an enhanced version of tretinoin, and 90 percent ofeven the worst cases of acne will respond to treatment over a four to five-month period.

  This drug has a number of potential side effects, including dry skin, itching, and changes in liver function. Most important, it can cause significant deformities in a developing fetus if taken during pregnancy. Any woman who plans to take iso-tretinoin must consider this fact very carefully. Some physicians will not prescribe isotretinoin to an adolescent or adult female unless she agrees to take oral contraceptives.

• Azelaic acid (Azelex) is a newer topical medication that is unrelated to the others listed above. Derived from cereal grains, it inhibits skin bacteria, decreases the sebum that blocks pores, and reduces inflammation. It is applied twice daily to skin that has just been washed and should be continued for four weeks before deciding whether or not it is helpful.

Whatever approach is taken, it is important to remember that (1) treatment can only control acne, not cure it. For most people, this problem will fade away before adulthood. (2) Once treatment is started, it might be several weeks before there is a visible change for the teenager who is agonizing over the latest crop of facial bumps, this news may bring little comfort. Parents (and a physician, when appropriate) will need to be empathetic and supportive. Sometimes support will involve a gentle reminder to be consistent with treatment.