What Happens If You Don't Finish Antibiotics?

Roughly 270 million antibiotics are prescribed each ear by doctors and health providers.

Antibiotics treat common bacterial infections, like strep throat, urinary tract infections, ear infections, and some sinus infections. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics for pneumonia.

If you're sick with a bacterial infection, your doctor will likely prescribe a round of antibiotics. Treatment can last anywhere from one to two weeks.

What happens if you don't finish antibiotics? This concern is a common question among patients.

Learn more about antibiotics and what happens when you cut your round short.

What Are Antibiotics?

Let's take a closer look at what antibiotics are and aren't.

By definition, antibiotics are a type of antibacterial medication. The goal of antibiotics is to stop bacterial growth or kill bacteria altogether.

Patients typically consume antibiotics as pills. However, a doctor may prescribe an antibacterial shot or topical for bacterial skin infections.

There are more than 100 types of antibiotics available. Here are the most widely known medications:

• Penicillin
• Amoxicillin (a type of penicillin)
• Azithromycin
• Tetracycline
• Metronidazole
• Fluoroquinolone
• Gantanol and Trimethoprim
• lincosamide antibiotic
• Cephalosporin

Some antibiotics are synthetic, like Clindamycin, which is a semi-synthetic lincosamide medication. Amoxicillin is a synthetic form of penicillin.

How Do Antibiotics Work?

You already know that antibiotics kill bacteria, but how do they work in the body? How are they activated?

Once your body absorbs the antibiotic, the medication breaks down the bacteria's cell wall. This action immediately disrupts bacterial growth in the body. The medicine also halts bacterial protein production, which is essential for killing the infection.

What Happens If You Don't Finish Antibiotics?

Doctors recommend that patients complete the entire round of antibiotics. Let's be honest: not everyone follows doctors' orders. Plus, it's not uncommon to cut treatment short if an infection clears up quickly.

So, what happens if you don't finish antibiotics?

For starters, your bacterial infection may not get better. You risk prolonging recovery time. This decision can take time away from work, family, and other obligations.

Bacterial infections are sneaky. You may feel better, but that doesn't mean your infection has gone away entirely. If you stop your treatment, there's a chance your infection may come back.

However, the key word here is "may." Stopping antibiotics isn't the end of the world, especially if you have a minor bacterial infection. Recent research shows that stopping treatment may even be a good thing.

Bacteria evolve like other living organisms. A crucial part of evolution is adaptation. It's natural for bacteria to resist antibiotics over time.

The longer bacteria is exposed to antibiotics, the faster it'll resist the medication. Thus, more members of the medical community recommend stopping treatment as soon as the infection clears.

A 6-day round of antibiotics may be just as effective as a 10-day treatment or more. Results also depend on the infections themselves. Study results for pneumonia are different than the results for bacterial skin infections.

When Not to Use Antibiotics

Of the 270 million antibiotics prescribed each year, 47 million of them are unnecessary. Not every infection calls for antibiotics. This data comes on the heels of a recent CDC report.

One of the biggest misconceptions about antibiotics is that they treat viral infections. Antibiotics are strictly for bacterial infections only.

Doctors aren't supposed to prescribe antibiotics for common colds, the flu, bronchitis, chickenpox, skin warts, measles, or HPV. Vaccines also exist for such viral infections as HPV and measles.

Another problem to consider is the type of antibiotic. The recent CDC report found that pediatric doctors prescribe the wrong antibiotics to millions of children each year. This problem frequently happens to adults with respiratory illnesses too.

Side Effects of Antibiotics

Another reason to stop antibiotic treatment is possible side effects. You may be allergic to antibiotics and not realize it before it's too late. This issue is an important topic to discuss with your doctor before treatment.

Side effects depend on the type of treatment and condition. You may experience the following symptoms:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Skin rashes
• Difficulty breathing
• Irritated vaginal discharge
• Concerning white patches on your tongue
• Hives
• Face swelling
• Fatigue and fatigue
• Diarrhea

Stop treatment immediately if you experience side effects. Don't wait to call your doctor. Your reaction may be an emergency.

A slight upset stomach isn't uncommon. However, if your upset stomach lasts, that is a problem. If you start vomiting, call your doctor right away.

The possibility of side effects is no joke. Discuss your concerns with a doctor or pharmacy professional before taking antibiotics.

Most side effects are minor and treatable. However, some reactions can have severe health consequences. Severe reactions include colitis, seizures, and kidney failure.

A critical side effect to watch is Anaphylaxis. This reaction typically occurs within a few minutes of taking an antibiotic. Call a doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms:

• Severe throat swelling
• Itching all over your body
• Increased heart rate
• Body tingles
• Severe respiratory problems
• Anaphylaxis seizures

This condition can be fatal if left untreated. Call a doctor or ambulance right away if you experience these symptoms right after ingesting an antibiotic.

Do Antibiotic Alternatives Exist?

If you're interested in antibiotic alternatives, there are holistic treatments available. However, it's best to talk to a doctor, integrative health specialist, or pharmacist about holistic options first.

First, you could try dietary alternatives. Some foods have natural antibiotic properties.

Possible natural antibiotics include the following:

• Garlic
• Ginger
• Echinacea
• Oregano
• Honey
• Clove
• Goldenseal

Make sure to read scientific studies before starting holistic treatments. Some of these alternatives contain natural antibiotic properties, like berberine, which aren't recommended for babies or pregnant individuals.

Learn More About Antibiotics

Research is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle. Understand what happens if you don't finish antibiotics. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about possible side effects too.

Do you need more facts to make informed decisions? Check back often for the latest news in health, science, and the world around you.