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Nov 26, 2019 · For one, medications are often formulated specifically for certain animals — though not always — and may not work in humans or even in other animal species, says Claire Fellman, a veterinary...
- Overview
- What is antibiotic overuse?
- Effects of overusing antibiotics
- Preventing antibiotic overuse
- Summary
Using antibiotics unnecessarily or excessively is known as antibiotic overuse. Some effects of overuse can include an increased risk of antibiotic-resistant infections and other antibiotic-related complications.
Overuse of antibiotics is both an individual and public health problem. Individuals who overuse antibiotics may be more vulnerable to antibiotic-related complications such as digestive problems, yeast infections, and allergic reactions.
From a public health perspective, widespread antibiotic overuse allows bacteria to evolve resistance to antibiotics rapidly. This can create infections that do not respond to typical treatments. Many public health agencies have published guidelines to help prevent antibiotic overuse.
Read on to learn more about the effects of overusing antibiotics.
Antibiotic overuse is when a person uses antibiotics too often or for the wrong reasons. Some examples of overuse include:
•taking leftover antibiotics or someone else’s antibiotics
•pressuring a doctor to prescribe antibiotics when they say it is unnecessary to do so
•taking the wrong dose of antibiotics, such as by taking them irregularly or stopping taking them too soon
•taking too many antibiotics, such as when a doctor prescribes an excessively high dose or IV antibiotics when they are not necessary
•taking antibiotics for a virus or other nonbacterial infection
Antibiotic resistance
Bacteria, as with all organisms, evolve in response to environmental pressures. Some bacteria possess mutations that allow them to resist antibiotics and gain an advantage. Typically, when only a few bacteria have natural resistance, the body can fight them off. But as more bacteria become resistant, an infection can overwhelm the body. When there is widespread antibiotic use, resistant bacteria become more common. This can cause antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be very dangerous. A person might need to take several antibiotics before one works. And an untreated infection can lead to serious health outcomes and even death. Learn more about antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic side effects
No drug is without risk or side effects. Every drug a person uses increases their risk of experiencing side effects. Antibiotics can cause various side effects, depending on individual circumstances and the specific drug. These can include: •diarrhea •gastrointestinal disturbances •constipation •heart rhythm changes •organ damage People can also have dangerous, sometimes life threatening allergic reactions to antibiotics. Taking antibiotics is also a risk factor for developing a Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection. C. diff is a bacteria that can cause serious digestive issues such as colon inflammation. People with weakened immune systems may be at increased risk. Learn more about the side effects of antibiotics.
Drug interactions
Antibiotics can interact harmfully with some other drugs. The more medications a person takes, the more likely those medications are to interact. A doctor can advise on possible interactions a person’s medications may cause. Drug interactions are especially likely when a person takes antibiotics outside of the supervision and guidance of a doctor. Learn more about drug interactions.
Antibiotic stewardship refers to the practice of using antibiotics wisely and only when necessary.
It requires healthcare professionals and people who are unwell to work together. Doctors and other prescribers should:
•only prescribe antibiotics when there is clear evidence of infection
•give clear instructions about how to use antibiotics and the risks of misuse
•get a medical history and ask about other drugs
•ask about past and current antibiotic use
Antibiotic overuse can damage an individual’s health, causing immediate complications such as side effects and drug interactions. It is also a public health threat that can increase antibiotic resistance, leading to resistant bacterial infections.
People with infections should seek medical care if they think it might be bacterial. A doctor can best advise on the right course of treatment.
Apr 29, 2021 · Despite widespread agreement among animal and public health experts and clear guidance from the Food and Drug Administration that antibiotic use without limits is not judicious, 1 in 3 of such drugs approved for use in agriculture can be administered for excessively long or undefined periods of time. 2 In fact, available evidence suggests that ...
Oct 8, 2021 · Antibiotic use in both human and animal populations is coming under increasing scrutiny due to its role as a driver in the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a phenomena through which bacteria have or acquire the ability to withstand the effects of these important medicines ( 1 ).
- Alice C. Tompson, Ana L. P. Mateus, Dave C. Brodbelt, Clare I. R. Chandler
- 10.3389/fvets.2021.719547
- 2021
- Front Vet Sci. 2021; 8: 719547.
May 6, 2021 · However, many food animals continue to receive medically important antibiotics for unnecessarily long periods of time—or even indefinitely. Such practices do not meet the two principles set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defining judicious use in these animals, which say that:
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Dec 14, 2021 · New federal data released Tuesday shows that efforts in the United States to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in livestock—a persistent generator of drug-resistant superbugs that can harm...
Animals are vulnerable to some of the same bacterial infections as people, such as pneumonia and skin infections, and can be treated with antibiotics. Just like in people, antibiotics are used in animals to treat, control and prevent diseases.
