What should you know about oral antibiotics?

Oral antibiotics are medicines swallowed as tablets, capsules, or liquid. They work against particular bacteria, so the choice depends on the suspected infection, allergy history, age, kidney function, and other medicines. They may be used for conditions such as cellulitis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, or some stomach infections. A cough or sore throat can have a viral cause, where antibiotics will not help. Unnecessary use can also cause side effects and make future infections harder to treat.

Take each dose at the prescribed time and follow instructions about food, water, and storage. Finish or stop the course only according to the prescriber’s advice; do not share leftover medicine or save it for another illness. Tell the clinician about pregnancy, allergies, long-term conditions, and regular medicines. Nausea, loose stools, or mild stomach discomfort can occur. If you miss a dose, check the leaflet or ask a pharmacist rather than doubling the next dose.

Get emergency help for difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips or throat, faintness, or a rapidly spreading itchy rash after a dose. Contact a clinician promptly for severe or persistent diarrhoea, blood in the stool, yellowing of the skin, or worsening infection symptoms. If symptoms are not improving as expected, the diagnosis or medicine may need review rather than an unplanned dose change.

Ask what bacteria the medicine targets, how to take it with your other medicines, what improvement to expect, and what to do if a dose is missed or side effects develop.