antibiotics for cold and flu usually won't help

antibiotics are over-prescribed in canada  and  worldwide , often for infections that do not need their help,  particularly respiratory conditions . while these unnecessary prescriptions may contribute to the development of  resistant bacteria , there is another reason to be cautious about antibiotics: direct harms caused by these drugs.

our group — a family physician, an infectious disease specialist and a health sciences student — has published  a review of the evidence about adverse effects of antibiotics commonly used in the community . even though two of us are experienced physicians, and knew about many problems with drugs, we were surprised by the frequency and severity of some of these effects.

gut reactions, allergies and skin rashes

in rare cases, antibiotics cause other serious reactions, including some that are fatal. they can cause serious damage to lungs, liver, kidneys, nerves and joints. for example quinolones, a common group of antibiotics (the most well known is ciprofloxacin), can cause ruptured tendons and damage to nerves that causes tingling and numbness. minocycline, often used to treat acne, can cause  dark pigmentation of the face, as well as neurological effects .

benefits vs. risks

as the fall and winter  respiratory infection season approaches , both prescribers and patients must remember how harmful these drugs can be. antibiotic use should be minimized, and used only when there is good reason. they must be chosen carefully, and when prescribed, they should be taken for the minimum effective time. so rather than visiting a doctor asking for antibiotics, ask whether one could help, and ask what other treatments will soothe symptoms and reduce the misery.