An antibiotic is a type of medicine that is prescribed to a patient to destroy and / or slow the growth of bacteria. Depending on the infection, the patient will be given the antibiotic.
Bronchitis is a respiratory disease in which the airway between the nose and the lungs becomes inflamed. It is of two types: short-term or acute, long-term or chronic. Chronic bronchitis is the worst condition in which any individual finds himself.
Antibiotics when prescribed in cases of bronchitis, do not exactly treat bronchitis. They decrease infections that aggravate the symptoms of the ailment. Medical experts explain that some antibiotics have been very helpful in reducing the cough just after a week or two of decreasing the infection in the patient.
Some antibiotics that are used quite frequently to cure acute and chronic bronchitis include the following:
1. Ampicillin
It is used to treat infections that develop with acute bronchitis. In case you are prescribed this medicine, you should drink a full glass of water within 30 minutes or 2 hours, after meals.
Common side effects of amcipillin include skin irritation, diarrhea, sore tongue and / or mouth, vomiting, etc.
This medicine is most often given to adults.
2. Trimethoprim
This antibiotic is mainly used to cure respiratory tract infections. Other uses for trimethoprim include treating ear and urine infections.
Some of the commonly known side effects of this antibiotic are stomach pain, diarrhea, swelling of the tongue, and it can sometimes lead to lack of a proper diet due to difficulty in eating properly.
Some types of pills included in this heading are: Septra, Bactrim, etc.
3. Azithromycin
It is most often used to treat patients with bacterial infections arising from bronchitis and pneumonia.
It is taken in the form of a tablet and also in the form of an oral suspension.
Side effects of azithromycin include:
I. Irritated stomach
ii. Loose bowel movement
iii. Vomiting
iv. Pain in the stomach and abdomen of patients.
v. Skin irritations such as rashes that are usually mild.
The common brands that make this antibiotic are Zitromax, Aztrin, and Zmax.
4. Amoxicillin
This drug is prescribed quite often for many ailments. Amoxicillin is available in the form of capsules, tablets (which are chewable for children), liquid suspension, pediatric drops, etc.
Its side effects include stomach irritation, diarrhea, vomiting, etc. In extreme cases, this drug causes some very serious side effects, such as atypical bleeding, seizures, and too much fatigue.
The brands that manufacture this type of antibiotic are Trimox, Amoxil, Sumox, etc.
This is generally prescribed for young children with bronchitis.
5. Telithromycin
While chronic bronchitis is quite a serious disease and needs very significant treatment, telithromycin is commonly used to treat it today.
This antibiotic acts mainly on mild and moderate infections that occur in the course of the functions of the respiratory system.
The brand related to this antibiotic is Ketek.
This medicine can be taken as a tablet or oral suspension.
Commonly known side effects of this drug are lightheadedness, headache, irritated stomach, loose stools, strong taste, unclear vision, etc.
Safety precautions when taking antibiotics
In case you are diagnosed with bronchitis and it has now become a necessity for you to take antibiotics, there are many precautions you should take to minimize side effects. Bronchitis and other infections can be relieved very effectively with specific and prescription antibiotics, as long as you take them as prescribed. Ways to deal with common side effects are as follows:
1. Be precise when informing your doctor about the severity of the extent of bronchitis. This would allow them to decide whether or not to take the antibiotic and, if so, which type to take.
2. Make sure you clearly mention your allergies to all kinds of items, mainly food and medicine.
3. Make sure you complete the dose prescribed by the doctor and do not leave it in the middle, otherwise the infection would continue to persist in the body.
4. In case you missed a dose, make sure you take it and get back to the normal cycle soon enough.
5. In case the patient is pregnant, she should consult an obstetrician-gynecologist to check if the medications are suitable for her condition.
6. When the side effects get too high, consult your doctor, as he can change or stop the medicine.
7. Medicines have their own advantages and disadvantages. If the dose is taken well enough with the help of a caregiver or a family member, all the positives and minimal negatives will appear.