The Disastrous and Dangerous Side Effects of Self-Medicating with Antibiotics

In fact, self-medication is not a problem for many people because they believe that visiting a doctor is time-consuming and expensive, but they are unaware of the many side effects and dangers of self-medication. These individuals tend to consume pills like candy, unaware of the serious consequences hidden behind this incorrect usage. Drugs such as painkillers, cough syrups, laxatives, antibiotics, allergy medications, vitamins, and even antacids are sold in pharmacies without a prescription and can easily be used for self-medication. There is no doubt that antibiotics are very important for fighting illness, but if you consume them excessively, it becomes difficult to assess their role in combating disease. Therefore, they should be taken in appropriate quantities.

Serious and Dangerous Side Effects of Self-Medication with Antibiotics

What happens if we take antibiotics without a prescription? The answer is that you will become resistant to them. This means harmful bacteria responsible for illness will not be eradicated. Therefore, if you want to get better, you must ensure that you take antibiotics in the right amount and according to your doctor's prescription.

By self-medicating with antibiotics, not only do harmful bacteria get eliminated, but good bacteria also die off. This can lead to infections and expose the body to significant risks.

For this reason, it's essential to consult a medical specialist before taking antibiotics. Self-medication is not only incorrect but also very dangerous, as you don’t know when or how much antibiotic to take.

People self-medicate with antibiotics because they notice some immediate benefits from them. After seeing improvement, they may think about taking antibiotics in larger doses and quantities.

In fact, this increase in dosage should not be done by the patient themselves but rather based on a doctor's recommendation. The doctor must assess the patient's health condition and determine the appropriate dosage.

Doctors can diagnose whether your illness is caused by bacteria or a viral infection. In fact, they perform several tests to identify the nature of the bacteria causing an infection.

Based on the results of these tests, the correct type of antibiotic is prescribed. Therefore, there is a proper relationship between the diagnosed infection and the prescribed medication, which can only be identified and assessed by a medical professional.

Individuals who self-medicate often make mistakes during the prescribed course of treatment. You should not take too much or too little of antibiotics, as this will not affect harmful bacteria and will only harm your body.

You might think you're better after taking a few antibiotics, but you don’t realize that by not completing the prescribed course, you’re harming yourself. A proper balance between high and low dosages of medication needs to be maintained, and the doctor’s prescription and advice will help you combat the infection and restore the right balance.

Another result of not taking the correct dose is that the next time you need to use antibiotics for an infection, the medication will be ineffective because excessive use leads to antibiotic resistance, while underuse won't eradicate the infection.

Important Points About Using Antibiotics

Tell your doctor:
If you feel unwell while using antibiotics, you should immediately inform your doctor and avoid taking them again.

Ask your doctor:
If you feel you don’t need antibiotics, ask your doctor whether it is necessary to take them. When meeting your doctor, explain why you think you don’t need antibiotics and ask them to assess your condition.

Be self-aware:
It’s crucial to know the situations in which you need to take antibiotics and avoid those situations.

Get enough rest:
If you're ill, your doctor will recommend plenty of rest and avoiding unnecessary activities, as this could aggravate your illness.

Make dietary changes:
To prevent unnecessary use of antibiotics, try modifying your diet. Homemade, healthy foods might be one way to avoid the need for antibiotics.