If you do not complete the antibiotic treatment, the infection may return and be more difficult to cure. Most antibiotics require a specific regimen to be effective. Sometimes you may have to avoid certain foods which will interfere with the action of an antibiotic. With some antibiotics, such as those commonly used to treat kidney and bladder infections, you need to drink plenty of water to prevent possible unwanted side effects. A Health Center pharmacist will give you specific instructions on how to take the antibiotic prescribed for you.
Some people are allergic to antibiotics, especially the penicillins and the sulfa drugs.
These may be signs of an allergic reaction. Antibiotics are most effective when you maintain a continuous blood level of the medication. For example, if your prescription says to take the medication 4 times a day, it will work best if you take it every 6 hours. If this is not possible, take the medication at evenly-spaced intervals between the time you wake up in the morning and the time you go to bed at night. Although some antibiotics work well together, many do not.