By Barbara Pierce

Antibiotics are powerful, lifesaving medications.
Knowing when you need antibiotics and how to take them properly can help you benefit from these medications with the least risk.
Antibiotics come in several different forms, including tablets or capsules that you swallow or liquids that you drink, topical antibiotics that you apply to your skin, eyes or ears, and injections to treat serious infections.
Pharmacist David Jones is Mohawk Valley Health System’s’ pharmacy program director. He shared important things we should know about antibiotics: Antibiotics can be lifesavers — or life threatening.
What you need to know to keep them working for you, and not against you:
1: For what conditions are antibiotics effective?
A: “Nowadays, people have a better understanding of this,” said Jones. “Understanding of what to take antibiotics for. Ten to Fifteen years ago, doctors did overprescribe antibiotics — people wanted them for everything; parents wanted them whenever their kids were sick.
“Antibiotics are medications that fight bacterial infections. Bacteria are microscopic germs that live inside your body, on your skin and all around you. Most types of bacteria won’t hurt you. But certain bacteria can make you sick, with the effects ranging from a mild infection to a severe one that lands you in the hospital.
“An antibiotic refers to any substance that stops bacteria from growing. Antibiotics work by killing bacteria or stopping them from multiplying. The antibiotics you take may be entirely made from natural products. Or, they may include synthetic [made in a lab] substances. Scientists are constantly researching and developing new antibiotics to fight infections.
“Examples of the types of bacterial infections that are killed by antibiotics include skin infections like cellulitis or staph infections, respiratory infections like strep throat or whooping cough, urinary tract infections, eye infections, Lyme disease.
“Antibiotics don’t work against viral infections like cold or flu. Antibiotics target bacteria, not viruses. So, they won’t work against conditions like the flu, a cold, bronchitis, or sinus infections.”
2: Are shorter periods of time taking the antibiotics as effective?
A: “Yes, shorter periods of time are better. You will optimize the treatment without the possible side effects. In the past, doctors treated infections for a long period of time. For instance, in years past, antibiotics were given for pneumonia for about two weeks; now the typical course is five days.”
3: When I feel better, can I save the rest for the next time I get sick?
A.: “It’s important to not stop early, said Jones. “You’ll feel better in 48 hours, but you do need to take it the seven to 10 days that your doctor has prescribed. If you stop early, you’re running the risk of reinfection, of not eradicating the bacteria.
“A lot of people do still hoard their antibiotics, he added. This is not okay. Also, don’t share your antibiotics with others. Don’t self-medicate. Talk with your doctor about any concerns.
“Take them exactly as your provider instructs. They’ll tell you the total course of your treatment (how many days you need to take the antibiotics). They’ll also tell you how many times per day you need to take them, and whether or not you should take them with food. Ask if anything is unclear.”
4: What about side effects or interaction with my other medications?
A.: “Yes, like any medication, there are side effects with antibiotics, said Jones. Most side effects are GI related. (Gastrointestinal side effects are negative effects that affect the gastrointestinal system. They can include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, mucositis, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, dyspepsia, peptic ulcer, and gastrointestinal bleeding.) Those you can fix with probiotics.
“Some people are allergic to some antibiotics. If the antibiotic is new to you, you won’t know if you’re allergic to it until you’ve taken it.
“A skin rash or a need to use sunscreen when outside are other common side effects of antibiotics.
“In terms of interaction with your other medication, or even food, every antibody is different. Some don’t work with thyroid medication, calcium, even some vitamins.”
5: If my health care provider prescribes a new antibiotic for me, what’s the best way to deal with my concerns?
A.: “Your pharmacist will talk with you; he or she will talk with you to make sure you understand, so that you don’t render this important treatment ineffective. So that you’ll have a good outcome.
“Improper use of antibiotics can cause bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics. Antibiotic-resistant infections are a global problem.”
Writer’s Note: The answers were slightly. edited for clarity and conciseness.