Can Antibiotics Make You Tired
Antibiotics are medications that fight off bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections , strep throat, and more.
But despite their ability to treat potentially dangerous infections, many people can experience uncomfortable side effects when taking antibiotics, including bloating, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting. Though less common, some antibiotics can also make you feel tired or weak.
In this article, Ill describe how antibiotics work, the different groups of antibiotics, and what theyre used to treat. Ill also cover which side effects are most commonly seen with antibiotic useas well as some of the less common side effects.
Finally, Ill cover when you may want to speak with a doctor for more personalized care.
Ask Your Doctor Or Pharmacist About Ways To Feel Better If An Antibiotic Isnt Needed
For more information on common illnesses and how to feel better, visit Common Illnesses.
Antibiotics arent always the answer when youre sick. Sometimes, the best treatment when youre sick may be over-the-counter medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for tips on how to feel better while your body fights off an infection.
Can I Take Ibuprofen With Antibiotics
For example, antibiotics that may affect your kidney or stomach could interact with ibuprofen, which can also be toxic to the kidney in some patients. Certain antibiotics can also increase your risk for bleeding, and ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , can also increase the risk of bleeding.
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Watch For Signs Of An Allergic Reaction
Allergic reactions are among the most common side effects of amoxicillin and other penicillin antibiotics. Most are mild reactions, but they should be taken seriously. Watch for signs of an allergic reaction such as:
Get medical advice if any allergic reaction is noticeable. Get emergency medical help at any sign of trouble breathing, wheezing, lightheadedness, clammy skin, confusion, fever, sore throat, skin pain, or blistering.
What Should I Eat With An Upset Stomach From Antibiotics
Yogurt is the best of best in reducing the side effects of antibiotics on your stomach. It is made by milk fermentation and contains many live enzymes that help digestion and provide a rehabilitating environment to gut flora. Some other fermented foods that may contain good bacteria are tempeh, salami, cheese.
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Why Antibiotics Aren’t Always The Answer
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or seek care at an emergency room.
When you get a cold or the flu, you want to get better as soon as possible. Many people, at the first sign of illness, call their primary care physician looking for an antibiotic. But antibiotics dont work for every illness and may do more harm than good.
A lot of people think that no matter what their symptoms are, antibiotics will speed up the recovery process, explains Primary Care Physician Robert Dart Jr., MD. Antibiotics truly are wonder drugs, but they are only helpful if you have an infection caused by bacteria. Common health problems, such as colds and the flu, are caused by viruses. Antibiotics dont work against viruses. While taking an antibiotic may make you feel like youre doing something to get better, its not helping at all.
In fact, taking antibiotics may make you feel worse. Like every other drug, antibiotics can have bad side effects, including severe diarrhea and serious allergic reactions.
Up to one-half of antibiotic use in humans is inappropriate, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Each year in the United States, 47 million unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions are written, which has led to another serious problem: drug-resistant bacteria.
What Illnesses Are Caused By Viruses And Cant Be Treated By Antibiotics
Viruses cause most upper respiratory infections, which include head colds, sore throats, bronchitis, and sinus infections. Viruses cannot be treated by antibiotics.
The common cold and flu do not respond to antibiotics. Less than 10% of acute bronchitis cases are caused by bacteria. Most cases of acute ear infections also resolve without antibiotics.
Sore throats are usually caused by viruses as well. Antibiotics are not recommended unless you have strep throat. Only about 15% to 30% of sore throat cases in children and up to 10% of cases in adults are due to strep throat.
Almost all cases of acute bacterial sinusitis resolve without antibiotics.
The bottom line: Taking antibiotics for most acute upper respiratory tract infections does little or no good, and the downsides are real.
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Do Not Use Amoxicillin For Other Infections
Amoxicillin is effective against some bacterial infections, but will not help eradicate other bacterial or viral infections. To avoid unnecessary side effects, only take amoxicillin for the bacterial infection indicated. If any medicine is left over, dont save it. Ask a pharmacist how to safely dispose of unused amoxicillin.
Using Antibiotics Responsibly: Our Commitment
At Atrium Health, we spread antibiotic education to our doctors through our Antimicrobial Support Network and patient care collaborative, which both work with doctors to make sure patients are prescribed the most appropriate antibiotics. The ultimate goal is to improve your care and safety.
About Atrium Health
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When Are Antibiotics Needed
This complicated question, which should be answered by your healthcare provider, depends on the specific diagnosis. For example, there are several types of ear infectionsmost need antibiotics, but some do not. Most cases of sore throat are caused by viruses. One kind, strep throat, diagnosed by a lab test, needs antibiotics.
Common viral infections, like coughs or a cold, can sometimes become complicated and a bacterial infection can develop. However, treating viral infections with antibiotics in order to prevent bacterial infections is not recommended because of the risk of causing bacterial resistance:
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Remember that antibiotics do not work against viral colds and the flu, and that unnecessary antibiotics can be harmful.
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Talk with your healthcare provider about antibiotics and find out about the differences between viruses and bacteria, and when antibiotics should and should not be used.
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If your child receives an antibiotic, be sure to give it exactly as prescribed to decrease the development of resistant bacteria. Have your child finish the entire prescription. Don’t stop when the symptoms of infection go away.
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Never save the left over antibiotics to use “just in case.” This practice can also lead to bacterial resistance.
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Do not share your antibiotics with someone else or take an antibiotic that was prescribed for someone else.
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Antibiotic resistance is a problem in both children and adults.
Missing A Dose Of Antibiotics
If you forget to take a dose of your antibiotics, take that dose as soon as you remember and then continue to take your course of antibiotics as normal.
But if it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
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Tell The Doctor About All Medical Conditions And Medications
Start by informing the healthcare provider prescribing amoxicillin about all past and present medical conditions, especially:
- Kidney problems
- Drug allergies or reactions to antibiotics
- Any history of diarrhea when taking antibiotics
- Gastrointestinal problems
Some problems may arise when amoxicillin is combined with other drugs, but these drug interactions are uncommon. Always give the healthcare provider a complete list of all prescription and nonprescription medications being taken, especially birth control pills, antibiotics, or drugs that require precise dose adjustments such as methotrexate, or warfarin.
How Do You Stop Your Stomach From Hurting When Taking Antibiotics
Try supplementing with probiotics, or probiotic foods.
While the point of an antibiotic is to kill bacteria, studies have shown that taking a probiotic supplement can reduce symptoms of diarrhea and stomach pain. You can also eat probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, tempeh and kombucha.
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Ways To Reduce The Symptoms
If you feel that your nausea is not going away anytime soon, consider giving these a try:
If your nausea persists for more than 24 hours and causes vomiting, keep taking fluids to stay hydrated. Above all, see a doctor without delay to determine if your symptoms signify an allergic reaction to the medication, or if there is a more serious underlying condition that merits immediate medical attention.
Take Antibiotics Exactly As Prescribed If You Need Them
Dispose of Unused Medicines
If your doctor decides an antibiotic is the best treatment when youre sick:
- Take them exactly as your doctor tells you.
- Do not share your antibiotics with others.
- Do not save them for later. Talk to your pharmacist about safely discarding leftover medicines.
- Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else. This may delay the best treatment for you, make you even sicker, or cause side effects.
Talk with your doctor and pharmacist if you have any questions about your antibiotics.
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Can Antibiotics Make You Feel Better In A Few Hours
Most antibiotics will take effect within the first few hours of administration, and you should feel better within the first day. If you do not feel better or if your symptoms do not improve within the first few days, contact your doctor. You may require a different antibiotic or may have been misdiagnosed.
How Long Do Antibiotics Take To Start Working
Antibiotics will typically show improvement in patients with bacterial infections within one to three days, says Kaveh. This is because for many illnesses the bodys immune response is what causes some of the symptoms, and it can take time for the immune system to calm down after the harmful bacteria are destroyed.
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When Antibiotics Are Needed
Antibiotics may be used to treat bacterial infections that:
- are unlikely to clear up without antibiotics
- could infect others
- could take too long to clear without treatment
- carry a risk of more serious complications
People at a high risk of infection may also be given antibiotics as a precaution, known as antibiotic prophylaxis.
Read more about when antibiotics are used and why they are not routinely used to treat infections.
Why Do Antibiotics Cause Side Effects
All medication comes with potential side effects, and there are various aspects that can trigger them. It could be your bodys immune system overreacting to the medication, which in turn causes an allergic reaction. Some medications have a chemical structure that could be impact your body in unpredictable ways.
Another reason antibiotics may cause side effects is their bacteria-fighting properties. The human body is full of good bacteria that benefits and aids your body, especially in the digestive tract which is why stomach problems are such a common side effect of antibiotics. Taking probiotics while you are taking antibiotics may lessen the side effects of losing beneficial bacteria.
Its important always to follow your doctors advice when taking antibiotics. Since some antibiotics must be taken with food, and other antibiotics must be taken on an empty stomach.
If need to speak to a doctor about the side effects youre experiencing, download the Air Doctor app on or the Apple Store.
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Accidentally Taking An Extra Dose
There’s an increased risk of side effects if you take 2 doses closer together than recommended.
Accidentally taking 1 extra dose of your antibiotic is unlikely to cause you any serious harm.
But it will increase your chances of getting side effects, such as pain in your stomach, diarrhoea, and feeling or being sick.
If you accidentally take more than 1 extra dose of your antibiotic, are worried or you get severe side effects, speak to your GP or call NHS 111 as soon as possible.
Amoxicillin And Clostridium Difficile
Nearly all antibiotics alter the microorganism environment of the colon, allowing an overgrowth of C. difficile bacteria colonies that are normally kept low by other bacteria in the colon. C. difficile-associated diarrhea, or CDAD, is a common and potentially serious side effect of amoxicillin therapy, occurring in 5% of people taking drugs like amoxicillin. In mild cases, CDAD can cause little more than mild diarrhea. In severe cases, bacterial overgrowth can lead to potentially fatal swelling of the colon.
As a side effect, C. difficile-associated diarrhea can occur during amoxicillin treatment or as much as two months after treatment has ended. If diarrhea occurs during or after any antibiotic treatment, talk to a doctor or other healthcare professional. If the diarrhea is watery or bloody, get immediate medical attention.
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Amoxicillin Side Effects And How To Avoid Them
Amoxicillin side effects | Hypersensitivity | Superinfections | Clostridium difficile | How long do side effects last? | Warnings | Interactions | How to avoid side effects
Amoxicillin is a generic antibiotic that treats a wide range of bacterial infections: upper respiratory tract infections such as sinusitis, lung infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia, skin infections, middle ear infections, urinary tract infections, as well as H. pylori stomach infections.
Also prescribed under the brand names Amoxil and , amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that kills bacteria by blocking their ability to make and repair their protective cell walls. For most infections, amoxicillin will only be given for a few days. Many people taking amoxicillin will experience minor side effects, but serious side effects, and drug interactions with existing medical conditions are also possible.
Talk With Your Doctor If You Develop Any Side Effects Or Allergic Reactions While Taking An Antibiotic
In children, reactions from antibiotics are the most common cause of medication-related emergency department visits.
Common side effects range from minor to very severe health problems and can include:
More serious side effects can include:
- C. diff infection, which causes diarrhea that can lead to severe colon damage and death
- Severe and life-threatening allergic reactions
- Antibiotic-resistant infections
If you need antibiotics, the benefits usually outweigh the risks of side effects and antibiotic resistance.
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Can You Take Ibuprofen With Antibiotics
For example, antibiotics that may affect your kidney or stomach could interact with ibuprofen, which can also be toxic to the kidney in some patients. Certain antibiotics can also increase your risk for bleeding, and ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , can also increase the risk of bleeding.
What To Do When Antibioticsmake You Feel Lousy
IT’SONE of winter’s rawest deals: You have to take antibiotics fora bacterial illness. Then, just when you’re starting to get well, the sideeffects from the antibiotics make you miserable again.
Indigestion, yeast infection and caffeine nerves are among common sideeffects of antibiotics. But some rare and bizarre reactions have beenreported recently, such as a torn Achilles tendon. And antibiotics can havedangerous interactions with other medications.
Infectious-disease specialists say it helps to know what drug reactionsto expect, plus a few strategies to make recuperation as painless aspossible. “With some antibiotics, you can avoid stomach upset by taking itwith food,” says William Marshall, infectious-disease consultant at theMayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Other antibiotics should be taken on anempty stomach.
“For people who can’t take erythromycin due to stomach upset, they canask about one of the newer drugs such as Biaxin or Zithromax,” he adds, butthey cost more.
With drugs such as doxycycline, he adds, the trick is to wash it downwith a lot of water so it doesn’t irritate the stomach. Antacids candisrupt an antibiotic’s effectiveness, so always ask a doctor or pharmacistabout how to take a drug.
Unfortunately, says Dr. Marshall, there’s no such thing as an antibioticwith no potential side effects. “A lot of these side effects aren’t reallypreventable, except for stopping the drug and taking an alternative iftherapy is still needed,” he says.
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Antibiotics That May Have A Side Effect Of Tiredness
Response to antibiotics or any medication varies by individual. Side effects, such as fatigue, arent uniform or universal.
Although its rare, some of the antibiotics that may have a side effect of tiredness or weakness include:
Discuss the potential for fatigue with your doctor when they prescribe you antibiotics.
You can also discuss this with your pharmacist, and review the safety and prescribing information to see if unusual tiredness or weakness is listed as a possible side effect.
If you start any new medication that makes you drowsy, consider:
- discussing alternative medications or dosages with your doctor
- avoiding activities like driving that require you to be alert, until you fully understand how the medication affects you
- avoiding over-the-counter medications that list drowsiness as a side effect
- avoiding alcohol and other substances that can make you tired
- keeping healthy sleep habits and making sure you get a full nights rest
If the fatigue doesnt get better, or if it gets worse, within a few days of starting an antibiotic, call your doctor.
Your doctor may want you to come in for a follow-up to make sure the antibiotic is appropriate for you or to determine if youre experiencing one of the more serious side effects.
