What is the effect of long-term use of antibiotics and how their side effects be minimized?
• Q: What do the antibiotics do to the body when taken for three weeks, and what shall we do to minimize their side effects? The pills I am using are clarithromycin with omeprazole and tinidazole. • A: Clarithromycin belongs to a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics and it fights bacteria in the body. Clarithromycin is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections affecting the skin and respiratory system. It can also be used together with other medicines to treat stomach ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). When it is used to treat H. pylori, it is usually combined with another antibiotic (such as tinidazole) and an acid-reducing medication (such as omeprazole). Common side effects of clarithromycin include mild stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach, unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth, dizziness, headache, anxiety, and confusion. Taking clarithromycin with food may help decrease stomach upset and pain. Contact your doctor if you
