What should you know about injectable antibiotics?

An antibiotic injection may be given into a muscle or through a vein. It can be considered when an infection is severe, when medicine by mouth is unsuitable, or when a specific medicine is needed promptly. The choice depends on the suspected bacteria, infection site, allergies, kidney and liver health, and previous antibiotic exposure. Injections do not treat viruses such as most colds, and using an antibiotic without assessment can delay the right care or cause side effects.

Give the clinician a complete list of medicines and any history of antibiotic allergy, rash, breathing difficulty, kidney disease, pregnancy, or previous resistant infections. Ask what infection is being treated and whether further doses or tablets are needed. Keep the follow-up plan, even if you feel better. Report diarrhoea that is severe or persistent, a spreading rash, or pain and swelling at the injection site. Never share leftover antibiotics or use an injection prescribed for someone else.

Seek emergency help for wheezing, throat or facial swelling, collapse, or widespread blistering rash after an antibiotic. Contact a clinician promptly for worsening fever, confusion, severe weakness, increasing redness around an infected area, or inability to keep fluids down. A clinician may need to reassess the diagnosis, the medicine, or the route of treatment.

Ask which bacteria or infection is being targeted, how the medicine will be monitored, what side effects matter, and when the next dose or review is due. Ask whether testing is needed before changing treatment.