Antibiotics after surgery

The right medicine depends on the operation, the body site, timing, allergies, kidney function, other medicines, and whether an infection is suspected. A planned preventive dose is different from treatment for an infected wound. Antibiotics do not replace wound care or treat every cause of post-operative pain, swelling, or fever.

Possible infections can involve skin and soft tissue, the chest, or another surgical site. Conditions such as Cellulitis and Acute Bronchitis require different assessments, so a medicine prescribed for one problem should not be reused for another.

Follow the discharge instructions, keep the wound as directed, and take only medicines prescribed for you. If an antibiotic is supplied, follow its timing and finish or stop it only according to the prescriber’s instructions. Tell the team about rash, swelling, breathing difficulty, severe diarrhoea, or vomiting. Keep your follow-up appointment even if the wound looks better.

Do not share tablets, use an old prescription, or delay contacting the surgical team because you are unsure about a dose.

Contact the surgical team promptly for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus, wound separation, worsening pain, or fever. Seek emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, rapidly spreading swelling, or facial and throat swelling after a medicine.

Is this medicine preventive or treating an infection? How should I take it with my other medicines? Which wound changes are expected, and which need review? What should I do if I miss a dose or develop diarrhoea?