Unnecessary Overuse of Antibiotics

[Abe]

Fluoroquinolones do have more side effects than penicillin-based antibiotics (beta-lactams), and are really only second-line therapy for either penicillin-resistant bacteria or for severe infections. They aren't warranted for nearly all infections treated as an outpatient. So in summary, if you weren't recently hospitalized for _, you shouldn't be treated with a fluoroquinolone unless you have a documented, true allergic reaction to penicillin derivatives.

Hmm, someone needs to tell that to the specialists and just about every piece of literature on the type of infection I'm currently dealing with (and I've read dozens of them).  Fluoroquinolones are the defacto treatment option.  Don't get me wrong, I wish it weren't so.

 

I can't say what the treatment is for the infection you have, and it is a broad statement, but it's well known that the are over-prescribed. I would be interested in knowing what type it is that uses them as first line. Notice my qualification of "nearly all". Your illness may fall in that specific category. You can still ask your specialists to see if other options are available. I am trying to provide general advice for the forum community as a whole and not providing medical advice for your particular illness. I apologize if you interpreted my post as such.

[EnjoyIt]

In the US most medical personnel take the "better safe than sued" position.

Sad but true

[big_owl]

Fluoroquinolones do have more side effects than penicillin-based antibiotics (beta-lactams), and are really only second-line therapy for either penicillin-resistant bacteria or for severe infections. They aren't warranted for nearly all infections treated as an outpatient. So in summary, if you weren't recently hospitalized for _, you shouldn't be treated with a fluoroquinolone unless you have a documented, true allergic reaction to penicillin derivatives.

Hmm, someone needs to tell that to the specialists and just about every piece of literature on the type of infection I'm currently dealing with (and I've read dozens of them).  Fluoroquinolones are the defacto treatment option.  Don't get me wrong, I wish it weren't so.

 

I can't say what the treatment is for the infection you have, and it is a broad statement, but it's well known that the are over-prescribed. I would be interested in knowing what type it is that uses them as first line. Notice my qualification of "nearly all". Your illness may fall in that specific category. You can still ask your specialists to see if other options are available. I am trying to provide general advice for the forum community as a whole and not providing medical advice for your particular illness. I apologize if you interpreted my post as such.

Not to worry, the MMM forums probably wouldn't be the place I would go to determine medical treatment options - I knew what you were getting at.

[dougules]

Most of the other side effects like digestion problems and neurological problems are reversible when treatment is completed.

Neurological problems can be quite permanent. 

[I'm a red panda]

Most of the other side effects like digestion problems and neurological problems are reversible when treatment is completed.

Neurological problems can be quite permanent.

Of course they can be.
But most of the ones that present as side effects to this type of medication are reversible.

[Torgo]

I once had a doctor give me an antibiotic prescription, but a conditional one.  I'm very prone to sinus infections after viral nasal infections, and went in after being sick with a doozy of one for a week.  "It's probably still just viral and will go away quickly if it is.  If you don't get better in four more days, fill the prescription and start taking it".  Seems like a sane course of action that prevents more doctor visits, but potentially not scaleable.

[EnjoyIt]

I once had a doctor give me an antibiotic prescription, but a conditional one.  I'm very prone to sinus infections after viral nasal infections, and went in after being sick with a doozy of one for a week.  "It's probably still just viral and will go away quickly if it is.  If you don't get better in four more days, fill the prescription and start taking it".  Seems like a sane course of action that prevents more doctor visits, but potentially not scaleable.

I do this all the time. You do your best to educate the patient and hope for the best. The rest is up to them.