Antibiotics are screened for any negative effects on humans or other mammals before approval for clinical use, and are usually considered safe and most are well tolerated. However, some antibiotics have been associated with a range of adverse side effects. Side-effects range from mild to very serious depending on the antibiotics used, the microbial organisms targeted, and the individual patient. Side effects may reflect the pharmacological or toxicological properties of the antibiotic or may involve hypersensitivity reactions or anaphylaxis. Safety profiles of newer drugs are often not as well established as for those that have a long history of use. Adverse effects range from fever and nausea to major allergic reactions, including photodermatitis and anaphylaxis. Common side-effects include diarrhea, resulting from disruption of the species composition in the intestinal flora, resulting, for example, in overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, such as Clostridium difficile. Antibacterials can also affect the vaginal flora, and may lead to overgrowth of yeast species of the genus Candida in the vulvo-vaginal area. Additional side-effects can result from interaction with other drugs, such as elevated risk of tendon damage from administration of a quinolone antibiotic with a systemic corticosteroid. Some scientists have hypothesized that the indiscriminate use of antibiotics alter the host microbiota and this has been associated with chronic disease. COUNT 15
QSN1 What are two examples of minor side effects caused by some antibiotics? ANS1 fever and nausea QSN2 What causes diarrhea? ANS2 disruption of the species composition in the intestinal flora QSN3 What negative effects can antibiotics have on the vaginal area? ANS3 yeast QSN4 What is one example of antibiotics that may have a possible side effect of tendon damage? ANS4 a quinolone antibiotic with a systemic corticosteroid QSN5 What is one possible serious side effect of over-using antibiotics? ANS5 alter the host microbiota QSN6 What are antibiotics screened for on mammals and humans? ANS6 negative effects QSN7 What do antibiotics need approval for? ANS7 clinical use QSN8 What besides the individual patient is targeted when antibiotics is being used? ANS8 microbial organisms QSN9 Photodermatitis, nausea, allergic reactions and anaphylaxis are all what type of side effect? ANS9 Adverse effects QSN10 What was altered during the hypothesis of indiscriminate use of antibiotics? ANS10 host microbiota QSN11 Why are antibiotics checked before use? ANS11 negative effects on humans or other mammals QSN12 Name some adverse effects? ANS12 fever and nausea to major allergic reactions, including photodermatitis and anaphylaxis QSN13 Name some side-effects? ANS13 diarrhea QSN14 What can happen to vaginal flora? ANS14 overgrowth of yeast QSN15 What can happen when antibiotics are used with other drugs? ANS15 Additional side-effects