Antibiotics - action, types, uses and side effects

The action of antibiotics can effectively inhibit a progressive infection on a bacterial basis. After the use of an antibiotic, the patient’s condition improves significantly, usually within 2 days. Fever subsides, mood improves, symptoms of the disease decrease or disappear. Without antibiotics, it would be impossible to treat some infections, such as strep throat, pneumonia, or urinary tract infections.

While antibiotics can effectively treat many conditions, they can cause side effects. The use of antibiotics should always be under the supervision of a doctor, since antibiotics destroy the natural bacterial flora of a person and disrupt the digestive tract. What exactly is the action of antibiotics and what can be done to protect the intestinal microflora during and after antibiotic therapy?

What is an antibiotic?

Antibiotics are drugs that are used to treat bacterial diseases. They fight pathogenic microorganisms, showing a bactericidal effect and killing the microorganisms responsible for the development of infection. Antibiotics work by stopping the growth of bacteria and stopping them from multiplying by interfering with protein synthesis, thereby stopping the progression of the disease. This is the so-called bacteriostatic effect on our body. It is worth remembering that these substances are found in low concentrations (so-called minimum inhibitory concentration), so low that they achieve their intended purpose and inhibit bacterial growth. For this reason, they are safe for the body, although, of course, they can cause side effects.

Unfortunately, antibiotics also have side effects, cause allergic reactions and burden the digestive tract by destroying the bacterial flora. Most antibiotics can adversely affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, contributing to the occurrence of diarrhea and / or constipation, so antibiotic therapy is necessary. They can also cause problems with nutrient absorption.

History of Antibiotics - Penicillin

Antibiotics are an invention of the 20th century. In 1928, Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered penicillin. While experimenting with bacteria, he discovered that certain types of mold can neutralize bacteria. The first drugs appeared in 1929, and the treatment of a number of types of infections became much easier.

Until 1929, mainly natural antibiotics were used, the effect of which was similar to that of penicillin. Such antibiotics included, for example, methods of applying cobweb bread to wounds, which also led to the natural formation of penicillin. Similar effects were given by treatment with garlic or oak bark.

Antibiotics - virus or bacteria?

Antibiotics work against bacteria, so they are used to treat bacterial infections. Most often, they proceed much faster than viral diseases (although this is not the rule). In some infections (for example, urinary tract, ear, or lung infections), the disease may progress rapidly, and the patient’s condition worsens from hour to hour. Without the introduction of an antibiotic, it is impossible to control the inflammation and cure the infection, so in the case of such a disease, the doctor prescribes an antibiotic without hesitation. Usually on the second or third day of treatment, the fever subsides and the patient feels much better.

However, antibiotics are not effective against viral diseases. A three-day sickness, a cold, as well as the flu or COVID-19 are not usually an indication for prescribing an antibiotic to a patient. The exception is situations in which the course of the disease is rapid or when there is a bacterial superinfection. However, in such cases, the doctor always decides.

Types of antibiotics

Pharmacies sell many different antibiotics. They differ in chemical structure and act on different types of bacteria. Basically, antibiotics are also divided into:

• bacteriostatic antibiotics that inhibit the development of bacteria, their growth and reproduction in the body

• bactericidal antibiotics that kill bacteria that cause infections

• Peptide antibiotics are antimicrobials of various structures.

Antibiotics are also divided into:

• β-lactamase inhibitors

• anti-tuberculosis drugs

• aminoglycosides

• macrolides

• tetracyclines

• amphenicols

• rifamycin

• fusidic acid

Do antibiotics work on all bacteria?

Antibiotics have a different spectrum of action and fight different types of bacteria. For this reason, the decision to include an antibiotic should always be made by a physician who knows what type of antibiotic will work for a given infection.

However, when an antibiotic is given, it affects all types of bacteria in the body. This means that it fights not only those that are the culprits of the infection, but also the beneficial bacteria living in the intestinal microflora in the digestive tract. For this reason, during antibiotic therapy, it is necessary to take probiotics so as not to lead to a dysbacteriosis of the bacterial flora. Antibiotics put a lot of strain on the digestive tract and can cause indigestion, abdominal pain, bowel problems, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.

How many days does the antibiotic work?

The antibiotic usually begins to work on the second or third day after the start of antibiotic therapy. It depends both on how advanced the disease is, and on the type of drug and its spectrum of action. However, usually already on the second day you can notice a clear improvement in the patient’s condition, a decrease in temperature and an increase in strength.

How does the doctor know which antibiotic to prescribe?

The doctor always knows which antibiotic will work in the treatment of a particular type of infection. From here? In Poland, most infections are caused by certain groups of bacteria. For this reason, additional tests are rarely ordered to determine which bacterium is responsible for the disease. Usually, a doctor needs to take a thorough history and describe the symptoms of the disease. Each year, the National Institute of Drugs also compiles a list of pharmaceuticals with recommendations that work for a given infection.

Antibiotics and probiotics

During antibiotic therapy, it is necessary to take probiotics to support the functioning of the digestive organs and the gastrointestinal tract. Your doctor will often inform you about which probiotic to take, as well as how to properly dose it. On the market, you will find probiotics that are taken 2 hours before taking the drug, as well as those that are taken at the same time or that can be taken at any time of the day. Taking good probiotic bacteria is essential to avoid gut dysbiosis. The disturbed balance of the intestinal microflora is difficult to restore in the future.

Antibiotic and coffee, antibiotic and alcohol - what can not be combined with an antibiotic?

Antibiotics should not be combined with dairy products, which may interfere with the absorption of drugs and adversely affect their effect. Preparations are recommended to be washed down with water, and not dissolved in other drinks. It is strictly forbidden to give them simultaneously with milk, kefir or yogurt.

Similarly, it is not recommended to take antibiotics with coffee. The caffeine in coffee can also interact with the drug and interfere with its absorption. Of course, during antibiotic therapy, the use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

Antibiotics are becoming more expensive and less effective

Diseases are on the rise, which means that although we are producing more and more different types of antibiotics, they are less and less effective. Every year the number of strains of bacteria resistant to all antibiotics is increasing. Experts warn that antibiotic resistance could become a very big problem in 20 years. The cause of this phenomenon is the abuse of drugs and the too frequent use of antibiotics, even when it is not necessary.

The worst situation is in the US, while in Europe the problem is growing in the countries of the Mediterranean basin (France, Portugal, but also in Greece). Currently, Poland is somewhere in the middle of the list of countries where antibiotic resistance may be a problem. Scientists point out that 6 types of bacteria are dangerous for us, including bacilli or pneumococci. Our country has a National Antibiotic Protection Program that aims to reduce the use of antibiotics.