Table of Contents

Author:

Eddie Hedrick, MS, MT (ASCP), CIC

School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia

Misuse of Antibiotics

Don'ts about antibiotics
DO NOT	...pressure your doctor to prescribe an antibiotic
DO NOT	...take antibiotics that have been sitting around the house unless prescribed by your doctor for a current illness
DO NOT	...give your antibiotics to other people. Their illness is probably different than yours, and so your antibiotics will not help them to get well. Also, they might even be harmed by your medicine
DO NOT	...take antibiotics simply because you were exposed to someone with a disease. You are only increasing your chances of picking up a resistant infection. If you are exposed to an infectious disease, seek medical advice.

Do's about antibiotics
DO	...ask your doctor whether your infection or your family member's infection will respond to antibiotics.
DO	...ask your doctor about antibiotic-resistant bacteria and what you can do to help prevent its occurrence. Let your doctor know what you appreciate being given only medicine that is needed.
DO	...follow the instructions for taking your antibiotic. Always take the exact amount specified on the label. If the instructions on the label say to take the medication at a specified time, be sure to follow these directions. Take the medicine for the entire time that your doctor has prescribed. Even if you feel better, take all of the medicine!

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Last Update: August 29, 2006