What should you know about trich antibiotics?

Antibiotics act against certain bacteria, but they do not treat viruses or every cause of similar symptoms. A clinician may consider your symptoms, examination, tests, allergies, pregnancy status, kidney or liver problems and other medicines. Some infections need a specific antibiotic, while others need a different treatment or no antibiotic. Do not use leftover tablets or someone else’s prescription.

Take the prescribed dose at the stated times and follow the label about food, alcohol or interactions. Do not stop, extend or share treatment without advice. Ask a pharmacist before taking non-prescription products. Report troublesome diarrhoea, rash, vomiting, mouth swelling or breathing difficulty promptly; swelling or breathing difficulty is an emergency. Keep follow-up if symptoms do not improve as expected.

Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, facial or throat swelling, collapse, severe weakness or a rapidly spreading rash. Contact a clinician for persistent fever, worsening pain, dehydration, blood in stool or symptoms that continue after treatment. Do not delay assessment for a possible sexually transmitted infection or an infected wound.

Ask what infection is being treated, whether testing is needed, how to take each dose, what interactions to avoid and what improvement to expect. Ask what to do if you miss a dose or develop diarrhoea.