What are the negative effects of taking antibiotics long-term?

Question

I got a staph infection that hasn't cleared up after 10 days of antibiotics. They put me on for one more week. Bad?

Answer 1

no thats not bad at all,your not taking it long term.  

Answer 2

They make your body weak.Take them with vitamins.

Answer 3

Which antibiotics are you taking? and if you are taking Amox, stop taking it

Answer 4

You become immune to them, they also kill off the good bacteria, they make you alot more succeptible to sun burns, and can cause serious stomach problems.

Answer 5

NO  

Answer 6

it can be bad... only if your body gets immune to the antibiotics... but that just means that particular antibiotic wont work for you anymore.

but having the staph infection clear up is VERY important... and the doctors are right to keep you on for an extra week.

Answer 7

some staph are resilliant to antibiotics. At some point, the dr. will have to approach it differently. It's still pretty early though, i think. Antibiotics aren't good to take for a long time. They cause you to become more red in skin color, become yeasty, and kill all of the good bacteria in your system, also. I was on them for about a year, once, for acne. They did nothing to help me, messed me up, and i later found out that an anti-fungal pill prescribed to me was a health risk, while on antibiotics. You never know how effects may change as they discover more, in the future.  

Answer 8

I sort of dont have an answer to the question, but you lot seem to know you're stuff, so wondering if you can help with a similar question I have... Do antibiotics long term still affect the pill? I'm on them for like now, after having my spleen removed, but I'm on the contraceptive pill too. I asked my doctor about drinking, because you arent supposed to drink alcohol while on antibiotics, but he said because its long-term antibiotics, its ok to drink while on them. But is it the same with the pill?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 9

I wouldn't worry about it doctors know what they're doing they don't spend 10 years in medical school learning to sing and dance.

Answer 10

Not bad at all.. The staph infection is worse, trust me.. Over a long period of time (some people take antibiotics for life) it can kill the good bacteria in your gut and intestines..

Answer 11

Your body will build up an immunity to them and later in life when you really need them they may not work or you will need to take more and stronger doses. Taking them as perscribed is okay. Taking them for one week is not a problem.

Answer 12

That's okay but you should try to limit ABs overall.  2 weeks is not long term--many people take them for years.  You should get very good yogurt and other probiotics to restore the good bacteria in your gut after you finish the rounds of ABs.  I use oil of oregano tablets to reduce the chance of getting infections--usually works.  

Answer 13

In this case it is not bad it is to clear an infection it is not like your going to be on this med for years

Answer 14

You can build up an immunity to antibiotics that you take long term, but two weeks is not long term.

You should be fine.

Answer 15

no thats not bad.. thats not long-term at all..  

Answer 16

That your body builds up a tolerance, and so finally they will not work in the end.

Answer 17

You become immune to them.

Answer 18

that your germs in your body will generates antibody, when next time you're in emergency and want to use the antibiotics to save your life, it won't work like you took it first time

Answer 19

i was in the hospital not long ago for a staph infection.  they are tough.  ask your doc about zyvox  it is new  very very expensive  $2400.00  for 30 pills but it works.  designed for resistant staph.  if you don't have insurance, like me, the company will help with the cost.  stay on top of this. it is very serious. i may can help with more info e-mail me if you want more info.

Answer 20

you do become immune to them. also it is killing all the good bacteria inside you as well as the bad. so you will need to take pro biotic yoghurts and stuff to build them back up.

i would say yes, take it for another week , then see what happens. just eat lots of yoghurts!

seriously, though its not that bad for ya. no long term affects at all. just short term such as tiredness and you may pick up a few more colds. but thats it!

good luck!

x*x

Answer 21

Did you take all of the pills that were prescribed the first time around?  Staff can be very nasty and hard to get rid of so that is one reason to take all of the pills as prescribed.

Another reason is people can build up an immunity to some antibiotics by not taking the entire script.....not good...then that microbe comes back even stronger because it wasn't killed entirely, so then you need a stronger antibiotic to try to kill that....so it becomes a cycle.

Just take as prescribed.  But if you are getting worse while taking them, go back to your doctor and let him know!

Answer 22

I would think if it hadn't cleared up in 10 days, 3 weeks would not help.  The longer you take antibiotics, the more resistance your bugs develop to them.  

Are you in the hospital?  That's where most people get staph infections.  Talk to your doctor, not the hospital staff (staph?!) doctor.  Get a second opinion.  Staph is nothing to fool around with.

Answer 23

That's not very long for an antibiotic.  Make sure you finish the course. Staying on them for very long periods is not good as it's said your body can come to rely on them to fight infections (not sure how true that is, just heard it).  If no joy, try colloidal silver (liquid silver, some health food shops have it) I know it sounds crazy but silver atoms are among the best bug-killers out there, very effective, used a lot in wound care gels, etc.  

Answer 24

Take probiotics!!!!! the antibiotics have ruined all the good bacteria in your gut.

you can take it in pill form or eat yogurt.

You should also take measures to build your immunity since it takes a long time for your body to get over infections.

good luck.

Answer 25

you turn into a mutant.... like x-men