What are Side effects of antibiotics and How to Manage?
Antibiotics can cause side effects like diarrhoea, nausea, yeast infections, rashes, and, in rare cases, severe allergic reactions.
While long-term or unnecessary use may also lead to risks like antibiotic resistance.
To manage side effects, taking antibiotics exactly as prescribed is necessary.
You must stay hydrated, eat probiotic-rich foods to support gut health, and contact a doctor if symptoms worsen.
Understanding the potential side effects of antibiotics is key to using them safely.
In this blog, we’ll explore common adverse effects of antibiotics, know how to reduce discomfort during treatment, and when to seek medical advice.
Quick Intro: What are Antibiotics?
Antibiotics kill or inhibit bacteria to treat infections like pneumonia, bronchitis, and UTIs. They are highly effective but may cause side effects and should be used under proper medical guidance.
Common side effects of Antibiotics:
Stomach upset is the most common side effect associated with most antibiotics.
They might also include gastrointestinal side effects like:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Cramps
- Diarrhea
However, Macrolide antibiotics, cephalosporins, penicillins, and fluoroquinolones are more likely to cause stomach upset than other antibiotics.
Find out the reason why antibiotics cause diarrhoea.
How to manage these common side effects of antibiotics:
To reduce stomach-related side effects like nausea or cramps, take antibiotics such as doxycycline and amoxicillin with food.
However, some antibiotics, like tetracycline, work best on an empty stomach.
If you experience severe abdominal pain, fever, cramps, nausea, or notice mucus or blood in your stool, seek medical advice.
These may signal harmful bacterial overgrowth in the intestines and require immediate attention.
Know about Amoxicillin and its generic brand Cimpmox 500mg, and learn how it's effective against bacterial infections.
Less Common Side Effects of Antibiotics:
Certain antibiotics may induce the following side effects:
Photosensitivity
Antibiotics like tetracycline can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
It may increase the risk of sunburn and light sensitivity.
This side effect usually fades after stopping the medication.
Precautions:
- Use broad-spectrum sunscreen (UVA/UVB) and reapply as directed
- Limit sun exposure
- Wear protective clothing and sunglasses
Fever
Drug-induced fever can occur with antibiotics like beta-lactams, cefalexin, minocycline, and sulfonamides.
It often resolves on its own.
If the fever lasts more than 24–48 hours, consult your doctor.
You may use acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) for relief.
Seek immediate medical attention if your fever goes above 104°F (40°C) or you develop a rash or trouble breathing.
Vaginal Yeast Infections
Antibiotics can disrupt vaginal flora, leading to an overgrowth of Candida fungus and a yeast infection.
Common symptoms of Vaginal yeast infection includes:
- Vaginal itching and swelling
- Burning during urination or sex
- Redness, rash, soreness
- Clumpy, whitish-grey discharge
Treatment options include antifungal creams, suppositories, or oral tablets like fluconazole, clotrimazole, or miconazole.
These are often available over the counter, but consult a doctor before use.
For severe or recurring infections, you may need longer treatment.
If the infection keeps returning, both partners may need treatment and use barrier protection (e.g., condoms) during sex.
Explore the connection between antibiotics and yeast infection.
Tooth Discoloration
Antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline can cause permanent tooth staining.
It can especially happen in children under eight and pregnant women, as they affect the development of teeth.
If prescribed these drugs during pregnancy or for a child, consult a doctor about risks and alternatives to avoid long-term discolouration.
Serious side effects of Antibiotics:
Serious side effects don't commonly appear and are very rare.
The chances of having severe side effects from antibiotics are low when treating mild bacterial infections.
In case of long-term use or incorrect use, the chances are high.
Some of the widely reported severe side effects that antibiotics may induce are:
Allergic Reactions
Antibiotics can trigger allergic reactions, ranging from mild to severe.
Common symptoms of allergies include:
- Breathing difficulty
- Hives
- Swelling of the tongue or throat
Stop the medication immediately and contact your doctor if you suspect an allergic reaction.
Seek emergency care if severe symptoms occur.
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare but serious reaction affecting the skin and mucous membranes.
Antibiotics like beta-lactams and sulfamethoxazole often trigger the condition.
SJS Symptoms include:
- Flu-like signs (fever, sore throat)
- Painful rash, blisters, peeling skin
- Hives, cough, facial or tongue swelling
SJS can’t be fully prevented; your risk is higher if you have a weakened immune system, have had SJS in the past, or have a family history.
Inform your doctor before starting antibiotics. If symptoms appear, seek immediate medical care.
Blood Reactions
Some antibiotics, especially beta-lactams and sulfamethoxazole, may cause blood-related side effects like:
- Leukopenia (low white blood cells, increased infection risk)
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelets, causing bruising, bleeding, slow clotting)
These are more likely in people with weakened immune systems. Discuss your risk with your doctor before starting treatment.
If you notice sudden infections, unusual bleeding, rectal bleeding, or persistent cough, seek medical help immediately.
Heart Problems
Antibiotics like erythromycin, ciprofloxacin (a fluoroquinolone), and the antifungal terbinafine can rarely cause heart-related side effects, such as:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
If you have a pre-existing heart condition, inform your doctor before starting treatment.
Contact your doctor if you experience:
- New or worsening chest pain
- Irregular heartbeat
- Breathing difficulty
Call 911 for severe symptoms or emergencies.
Seizures
Some antibiotics, like ciprofloxacin, imipenem, cefixime, and cephalexin, may rarely trigger seizures.
It can especially occur in people with epilepsy or a seizure history.
Inform your doctor beforehand and report any new or worsening seizures during treatment.
Tendonitis
Certain antibiotics, especially ciprofloxacin, can cause tendonitis or even tendon rupture.
The risk for Tendonitis is higher in people over 60, those on steroids, or with kidney issues or past tendon problems.
Inform your doctor and report any severe tendon pain during the antibiotic treatment.
Do You Know:
You are at higher risk of antibiotic side effects if you have a history of allergies to antibiotics, are elderly, have underlying health conditions (like kidney or liver issues), or are taking multiple medications that may interact. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
Ways to Manage Side Effects of Antibiotics:
Fortunately, there are other ways to help you reduce the risk of side effects while taking antibiotics.
Here are five simple steps to deal with side effects caused by antibiotic drugs.
How to Reduce Side Effects While Taking Antibiotics
Managing antibiotic side effects is possible with simple lifestyle and dietary steps:
Take Probiotics (e.g., Yoghurt)
Probiotics restore healthy gut bacteria and help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Choose Yoghurt with live cultures or probiotic supplements to support digestion and detox.
Drink Ginger Tea
Ginger soothes the stomach and reduces nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Drink fresh ginger tea up to three times daily to ease gastrointestinal discomfort.
Include Garlic in Your Diet
Garlic acts as a natural antibiotic with minimal side effects. Its compound allicin may protect organs and help detoxify antibiotic residue. Consider garlic in meals or a 500 mg supplement after consulting your doctor.
Eat Bland Foods
To avoid nausea and diarrhoea, eat bland foods like white rice, plain bread, and dry crackers during and after antibiotics. Avoid spicy, sugary, or rich foods that may worsen symptoms.
Explore: food that supports antibiotic treatment.
Take Antibiotics as Prescribed
- Follow your doctor’s instructions exactly.
- Some antibiotics must be taken with food, while others must be taken on an empty stomach.
- Complete the full course; stopping early may cause reinfection or resistance.
- Avoid prolonged use unless advised; it can lead to fungal infections.
- Be cautious of drug interactions and inform your doctor about allergies.
Find out: Is it safe to consume alcohol with antibiotics?
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You may heal your Gut after using antibiotics by following these simple ways
- Eat probiotic and prebiotic foods
- Add probiotic supplements to your diet
- Avoid processed foods and try to eat bland food
- Do plenty of rest and exercise
When taking antibiotics, you should avoid food that contains high acid content. Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, tomatoes, and soda may have high acid content. Having these high-acid items with antibiotics may affect the absorption of these drugs in your body.
You need to wait at least 3 hours before eating or drinking any dairy products after taking an antibiotic. However, using grapefruit and dietary supplements with calcium may dampen the effects of the antibiotics.
If you experience severe side effects or an allergic reaction (such as difficulty breathing, swelling, or hives), stop the medication immediately and seek medical help. For persistent or moderate symptoms, consult your doctor before discontinuing the antibiotic.
Most common side effects, like nausea, diarrhoea, or upset stomach, typically go away shortly after completing the course. Photosensitivity may last up to a week after treatment ends. However, taking antibiotics with food can help ease some symptoms.
No, you should complete the full course unless your doctor advises otherwise. Stopping early can lead to reinfection or promote antibiotic resistance, even if your symptoms improve.