subject: Broad Spectrum Antibiotic: Everything You Need To Know To Make The Safest Choices [print this page] Antibiotics are the first line of management for bacterial infections. To make the safest choices for you and your familys health, know what they actually are, what theyre for, their upside and downside, and practical tips you must know in using them.
An antibiotic is a chemical substance with the capacity to destroy bacteria, or at least stop them from further reproduction.
There are two general types:
1. Broad-spectrum types are those that act effectively against a wide range of infectious microorganisms. They can target both Gram-negative and Gram-positive types.
2. Narrow-spectrum types are those that are effective against a smaller range of microorganisms, as they target more specific families.
Uses
A broad spectrum antibiotic may be used to handle the following medical situations:
- when there are multiple bacterial agents involved in causing the illness, like in cases of superinfections.
- when drug-resistant bacteria do not respond to narrow-spectrum drugs.
- when there is a need to initiate immediate therapy before the specific causative agent can be identified, such as in cases of meningitis. Patients with meningitis can become seriously ill within a few hours if management is delayed.
Advantages
Their broader spectrum of activity can successfully treat a wider range of bacterial diseases.
- There is less need to identify the specific causative agent, and treatment can start immediately. This is in contrast to using narrow spectrum ones where there is a need to take a culture and wait for the culture results before initiating the antibiotic regimen.
Disadvantages
- Some may indiscriminately attack not only harmful microorganisms, but also the bodys naturally-occurring harmless ones.
- They may contribute to the rise of drug-resistant microorganisms, if the prescribed regimen is not completed by the patient. This is why it is important for patients to finish off their antibiotic prescriptions even after they feel well.
The Best Known Broad Spectrum Antibiotic
Among the long list of antibiotics, one of the most commonly prescribed by doctors is amoxicillin. It is a broad spectrum antibiotic belonging to the penicillin group of drugs. It is used for the management of the following:
- Bronchitis
- Bacterial pneumonia
- Bacterial skin disease
- Ear inflammation
- Gonorrhea
- UTI
It is available in tablets, capsules, liquid suspensions, pediatric drops, or chewable tablets. It can be taken either with or without food, usually every 8 hours or every 12 hours for 7 days. Take it as directed on the prescription label, carefully noting the following points:
- Shake suspension liquids and pediatric drops well before using in order to mix the medication evenly. This will ensure a consistent and accurate drug dosage for each use.
- Swallow tablets and capsules whole and take them with a full glass of water.
- For chewable tablets, crush or chew them thoroughly first before swallowing.
- Take your doses at around the same time daily to form a habit and prevent you from missing doses.
