Dr Prabhjot Gill- Why You Should Talk to Your Doctor Before Taking Antibiotics

1. DrPrabhjot Gill- Why You Should Talk to Your Doctor Before Taking Antibiotics DrPrabhjot Gill

2. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, should you take them without asking any questions? Probably not. Up to one-third of all antibiotics prescribed are deemed medically unnecessary by the CDC. Many people also suffer from reactions that range from mild to severe. CareDash spoke with Dr. PrabhjotGill, about what consumers need to know before they take their next round of prescribed antibiotics.

3. CareDash: What are some common side effects of antibiotics? DrPrabhjot Gill : Although most people will suffer no side effects from taking an antibiotic, some studies have shown up to 20% of patients prescribed an antibiotic will notice some side effects. The severity of these side effects can vary widely. Antibiotic side effects can range from mild upset stomach, nausea, stomach cramps, itching, rash, or mild fever to vomiting or watery diarrhea. More severe side effects may include hives; swelling of the lips, face, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing; photosensitivity; oral or vaginal yeast infections; and even discoloration of teeth in children or adolescents. A few antibiotics can cause central nervous system effects including dizziness, headache, or insomnia. More severe side effects may include damage to muscle tissue, tendons, and joints. DrPrabhjot Gill

4. CD: What are the problems with overprescribing antibiotics? DrPrabhjot Gill: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that up to one-third of antibiotics prescribed are unnecessary treatment. This translates to roughly 47 million patients being put at unneeded risk of side effects or allergic reactions from antibiotics they don’t really need. Overprescribing of antibiotics can lead to bacterial organisms becoming resistant to them. As this resistance increases, we see higher doses or other stronger antibiotics being used to treat infections previously treatable with older, lower cost antibiotics. DrPrabhjot Gill

5. CD: Why do doctors often prescribe antibiotics unnecessarily? DrPrabhjot Gill: There are a number of reasons antibiotics are prescribed unnecessarily. Many patients just expect to receive a prescription for an antibiotic and are dissatisfied when they don’t get one. Sometimes there is uncertainty as to the diagnosis of the illness. Sometimes a prescriber will prescribe an antibiotic to save time rather than wait for diagnostic lab tests. CD: When is it clear that antibiotics are truly necessary? DrPrabhjot Gill: Diagnostic lab tests are the best way to determine if an antibiotic is needed. A positive test for strep throat is a clear indicator of a need for an antibiotic. The presence of bacteria in the urine as determined by a lab test is another good indicator. DrPrabhjot Gill

6. CD: What kind of conversation should you have with your doctor when they prescribe antibiotics? DrPrabhjot Gill: You should ask your doctor or healthcare provider if the antibiotic is really needed. Ask if your infection is a bacterial or viral infection which would not respond to an antibiotic. Discuss the risk of not receiving the antibiotic as well as risks of side effects or adverse drug reactions if you do take an antibiotic. DrPrabhjot Gill