Antibiotic therapy: when to use it and how to stay safe

Antibiotic therapy treats infections caused by bacteria. Not every sore throat, cough, or earache needs one. Using antibiotics the right way keeps you healthy and helps prevent antibiotic resistance — which makes future infections harder to treat.

When antibiotics are needed

Your doctor decides if an antibiotic is needed based on symptoms, exam, and sometimes tests. For example, bacterial pneumonia, a urinary tract infection, and some skin infections often need antibiotics. Viral illnesses — common colds, most sore throats, and many bronchitis cases — do not.

Doctors may pick a specific drug after a culture (a lab test that grows the germ) or start a commonly effective drug right away if the infection looks typical. Common first choices include amoxicillin (often called Amoxil) for many ear and throat infections, and ciprofloxacin (Cipro) for certain urinary or bowel infections. Cephalexin is another common option when penicillin-type drugs aren’t right.

How to use antibiotics safely

Follow the full prescription. Stopping early because you feel better can leave survivors that grow back tougher. Take meds at the times directed, finish the course, and don’t save leftover pills for next time.

Tell your prescriber about allergies, current medications, and conditions like kidney disease. Some antibiotics interact with common drugs or supplements. For example, antacids and certain minerals can reduce absorption of some antibiotics, and fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin have specific safety notes — including tendon problems in certain patients. If you get a rash, shortness of breath, severe diarrhea, or new muscle pain after starting an antibiotic, contact your doctor right away.

Don’t share antibiotics or use someone else’s prescription. The right drug and dose depend on the exact infection and your health. Buying antibiotics online without a prescription risks fake or unsafe products.

Antibiotic resistance grows when antibiotics are overused or misused. You can help by accepting watchful waiting when your doctor recommends it, asking if a culture or narrow-spectrum drug is an option, and avoiding antibiotics for viruses. Vaccines, handwashing, and safe food handling also lower your chance of getting infections that need antibiotics.

If symptoms don’t improve in 48–72 hours after starting treatment, or if they worsen, return to your healthcare provider. They may need to change the drug, get a culture, or look for complications. When used correctly, antibiotic therapy rapidly clears many bacterial infections and keeps you on the mend — but only if we use them wisely.