Some antibiotics are losing their effectiveness against highly resistant bacteria due to overuse and misuse. Antibiotic resistance is unavoidable to some extent, but the more antibiotics used, the more opportunities bacteria have to evolve to defeat them.
According to the CDC, up to 50% of antibiotics prescribed in medicine and agriculture are unnecessary or inappropriate, resulting in a slew of "superbugs." Antibiotics are frequently misused due to the misconception that they are safe drugs and that patient satisfaction is contingent on being prescribed an antibiotic.
The following are the five most commonly prescribed antibiotics according to experts.
1. Azithromycin
This azithromycin 500 is frequently prescribed incorrectly for viral infections like the common cold, sinus infections, and acute bronchitis. Azithromycin tablet is a simple drug to prescribe with few side effects, which often leads to its misuse in order to appease a viral infection patient who often wants an antibiotic regardless of the fact that their illness is caused by a virus. Cough suppressants and medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen would be more beneficial to these patients.
2. Amoxicillin
This antibiotic is frequently overused to treat viral infections such as acute bronchitis, mild ear infections, and viral pharyngitis. Cough suppressants and medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen would be more beneficial to these patients.
3. Cephalexin
This antibiotic is over prescribed for skin conditions that do not require an antibiotic because they are non-infectious, resolve on their own, or can be treated with topical antibiotics.
4. Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX)
This antibiotic is over prescribed for urinary tract infections that may not be true because many elderly people, for example, have bacteria in their urine on a regular basis. It's also given for skin boils that don't usually require antibiotics once they've been adequately drained.
5. Ciprofloxacin
This antibiotic is frequently over prescribed for urinary tract infections that are not actually urinary tract infections, or when a simpler antibiotic such as TMP/SMX or nitrofurantoin would suffice. With so many agencies involved in the regulation and use of antibiotics, comprehensive solutions must focus on developing a coordinated plan that includes aspects of research and development, infection prevention and control, and stewardship to ensure the proper use of these drugs in various settings.
