Antibiotics are meds that can fight bacterial infections. These meds can either kill infection-causing microbes or may stop them from multiplying further. But needless use of these antibacterial meds can make microbes develop resistance against such drugs. Also, signs of infections caused by bacteria and virus are quite similar. It hence needs expertise to detect the underlying cause. Most antibiotics are sold based on prescriptions; however, a few are available as over the counter antibiotics. It is helpful to know more on this.
Antibiotics are widely used for treating infections bacteria cause. When the root cause of an infection is not identified, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic of narrow-spectrum genre. However, once the reason in isolated – a definitive treatment plan is recommended. Most antibiotic meds are administered via the oral route. In case of severe spells of infections, an injectable or an intravenous route is taken.
Antibiotics for skin conditions are of topical form. These are sold as gels, cream or an ointment. Such offerings are applied on the affected surface. These meds are however not ingested. Some of these topical antibiotic meds are available as over the counter products i.e., you can procure them without a prescription.
Over the counter antibiotics for tooth infection
Foremost of all, all kind of tooth-related infections do not need antibiotics. In a few instances, your dentist may drain your abscess, and your infectious condition goes away. These infections can also be treated through a root canal treatment. If no other options exist, the tooth i.e., the damaged or infected one – is removed through an extraction procedure.
Antibiotics belonging to the penicillin genre – especially, amoxicillin is widely administered for tooth infections. Another med known as metronidazole is also prescribed to treat bacterial infections. This med is – at times – given along with penicillin to treat a wide range of bacterial strands.
Beware of possible allergies or hypersensitivity to penicillin-based meds. If your dentist is prescribing an antibiotic of the penicillin genre, tell him / her of your prior spells of allergies. Those who have such hypersensitivity are advise to take antibiotic meds like erythromycin and / or clindamycin.
Not many antibiotics for tooth infections are available as over the counter meds. As an excessive intake of antibiotics can trigger resistance to such meds in your body, it is a safe thing to take antibiotics as per your doctor’s medication plan.
Antibiotics for UTI over the counter
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) can occur at any point of your urinary system. It can be present at your bladder and can also reside in your kidneys. Your physician is most-likely to order a urine test to detect incidence of an UTI. This is also called as urine-culture test. Here, your lab will let microbes to grow in a dish-like container; it is assessed for 2 – 3 days to know what kind of bacteria has affected you.
Antibiotics for UTI are widely-available as prescription meds. Before the test results of your urine culture are received, your physician will prescribe antibiotics like doxycycline, cephalexin, etc. However, once culture test results are at hand, your doctor will change the antibiotic med that best suits the infecting strand.
If your UTI is a recurring condition, commonly-available antibiotics are of little use. Also, if your immunity cells are weak or if your ureters – pipes that transfer urine from kidneys to bladder – are narrowed, or if you have a renal problem, a different set of antibiotics are prescribed. These meds need to be taken for a fairly long duration.
UTIs of a severe form and / or infections of an acute-nature in your kidneys may necessitate treatment in a healthcare setting like your physician’s office or a hospital. For such treatments, antibiotics are administered via intravenous route or as an injection. If you want to know more about over the counter antibiotics for tooth infections and UTIs, consult with your caregiving team or pharmacist.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Michigan. Experience: Over 8 years of experience writing for health and wellness websites, including WebMD and Healthline, specializing in women’s health and nutrition.