'Amoxicillin' is a good medicine, but it is a treasure when used correctly, and it is only effective for 5 diseases when used wrongly.
"Doctor, I have a headache and a fever recently. It's hot even when I touch my forehead. Do I have a cold?"
"You should have a fever, not too serious."
"Then you can prescribe some amoxicillin for me. I don't need other cold granules and tablets."
This conversation was heard by Xiaojiu in the hospital last week, and it just showed the public's misunderstanding about "anti-inflammatory drugs". Whether it is a cold or tonsil inflammation, in short, the body is not feeling well, so take amoxicillin.
In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin. With the development, penicillin gradually evolved into ampicillin, and finally synthesized into amoxicillin. Nowadays, amoxicillin is a standing medicine at home and has become a universal "anti-inflammatory drug" in many people's hearts, but can amoxicillin really treat anti-inflammatory?
1. What is the difference between amoxicillin for a few dollars and tens of dollars?
When it comes to amoxicillin, many consumers will wonder why their prices vary, and what is the difference between different drug prices?
In fact, there are three main aspects that affect the price:
The first is the dosage form, which can be divided into tablets, capsules, injections, etc. Different dosage forms have different processes and technologies, and the prices are also different. The second is the dose, the more the dose, the more expensive the price. Just like buying milk, 250ml is 3.5 yuan, and 500ml is 6 yuan;
The last point depends on the manufacturer. Most of the current Western medicines are developed abroad. Generally speaking, the same medicine is more expensive to import than domestically produced medicines. Even the generic medicines after the patent period may be more expensive.
In addition, distribution links, packaging, advertising, etc. may increase costs and affect prices.
Are expensive medicines more effective? In fact, as a special commodity, the efficacy of medicine is not necessarily determined by the price. Only the right medicine can be effective. Therefore, the same content and the same dosage form, the cheap effect is not necessarily bad, as long as it can cure the disease, there is no need to buy expensive medicines.
2. Amoxicillin is a treasure when used correctly, and a harmful drug when used incorrectly
Many people have a cold and a fever, and if they don't get better in a day or two, they will find "amoxicillin" to eat, thinking that it is an anti-inflammatory drug and can get better quickly. But in fact, amoxicillin is not an anti-inflammatory drug, and it will cause side effects when taken indiscriminately.
According to Lin Yang, director of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Department of Beijing Anzhen Hospital, amoxicillin is not a cold medicine, nor an anti-inflammatory drug. It is actually an antibacterial drug, that is, an "antibiotic".
What is the difference between "anti-inflammatory drugs" and "antibacterial drugs"?
Inflammation is often manifested as redness, swelling, and heat pain in the body. The main role of anti-inflammatory drugs is to eliminate inflammation caused by trauma, allergies, and arthritis.
Inflammation may also be caused by infection. At this time, anti-infective drugs are needed, such as bronchitis and pneumonia caused by bacterial infection, fungal infection, and viral infection.
Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug among anti-infective drugs, which is mainly used to kill bacteria , such as common colds, flu, etc., which belong to viral infections. Amoxicillin has no effect.
On the contrary, the abuse of antibiotics has serious consequences.
Many people think that it is antibacterial or antiviral after all, and it is always okay to take some antibiotics for prevention. However, on the one hand, taking medicine without inspection may cause side effects, and the abuse of antibiotics may aggravate the drug resistance of bacteria. In the long run, there may be a situation where no medicine can be used again in the future.
This is definitely not an alarmist, because there are already some "signs".
On January 19, The Lancet analyzed data from 204 countries and found that antibiotic resistance is the leading cause of death globally . drug-resistant infections .
Therefore, we can't just take medicines without permission. Generally speaking, amoxicillin is only suitable for a few situations.
3. Amoxicillin is only effective for 5 diseases
As an antibacterial drug, amoxicillin is mainly used in clinical practice:
Ear, nose and throat infections: otitis media, sinusitis, etc. (ineffective for allergic rhinitis);
Urogenital tract infections: urethritis, bacterial vaginitis, etc. (ineffective for fungal vaginitis);
Skin infection: purulent skin tissue, etc. (ineffective for fungal and viral skin diseases);
Lower respiratory tract infections: acute bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. (ineffective against viral pneumonia such as COVID-19 pneumonia);
· Helicobacter pylori infection: Not only amoxicillin is required, but 3 or 4 antibiotics are required at the same time.
In addition, you should pay attention to:
First of all, amoxicillin is a penicillin drug with a high sensitization rate, so do a penicillin skin test before oral administration;
Secondly, amoxicillin cannot be used together with Huoxiangzhengqi water, antibacterial drugs, methotrexate, etc.
The reason is that Huoxiangzhengqi water contains alcohol, and it is prone to disulfiram reaction when used with amoxicillin; amoxicillin is a bactericide, and its bactericidal effect will be reduced when used together with antibacterial drugs; methotrexate is a Antineoplastic drugs, used with amoxicillin, can increase its toxicity.
Finally, when taking amoxicillin, it is best to take it with warm water. Water over 60°C is prone to produce allergy-causing polymers and increase the chance of allergies.
Especially children under 3 months, pregnant women and lactating women should take the medicine under the guidance of a doctor.
Amoxicillin may also have mild side effects, such as gastrointestinal reactions such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as allergic reactions such as rashes and asthma .
Fourth, taking medicine is not a trivial matter, remember 3 misunderstandings
When you are sick, you need to take medicine, but sometimes the medicine is useless, not only can not cure the disease, but may aggravate the disease. These "mine pits" must not be stepped on:
1. Taking cold medicine together will not get better faster
Many common cold medicines are compound formulations, that is, a combination of medicines to relieve various symptoms, and all of them need to be metabolized by the liver. Consuming a variety of cold medicines together is equivalent to doubling the ingredients. Not only will it not accelerate the improvement, but it will easily increase the burden on the kidneys and may cause liver failure.
2. Antibiotics cannot be stopped casually
Many people worry about antibiotic resistance, so when they feel good about themselves, they stop the drug immediately, but it causes the disease to recur again and again.
In fact, the course of antibiotics has a certain design rationale. Only when the bacteria are completely killed, can the use be stopped. Otherwise, if the bacteria are not killed, they will have to re-medicate, but it is more likely to develop drug resistance.
3. Do not take it with tea, coffee, etc.
For medication, it is best to take it with warm water. Taking medicine with coffee, tea, etc. may affect the metabolism and absorption of the medicine, thereby reducing the efficacy of the medicine.
The significance of drugs is to relieve pain and recover quickly. Different diseases are used to deal with the symptoms, but the abuse of drugs is not conducive to physical recovery, not to mention wasting money, and sacrificing health.
References:
[1] "Amoxicillin: What's the difference between 5 dollars and 30 dollars? 》. First Pharmacy Caizhi. 2022-08-07
[2] "Anti-inflammatory drugs ≠ antibiotics, amoxicillin can't be eaten casually! 》.Jingyitong. 2020-03-20
[3] "Amoxicillin: 90% of people are misusing it! In fact, it is only effective for these 4 types of diseases". Scientific Family Parenting. 2022-06-21
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