Five Things to Ask Your Doctor BEFORE Asking for Antibiotics

Antibiotics are powerful, life-saving medications that have transformed modern medicine, extending the average human lifespan by more than 20 years, according to some estimates. From making complex surgeries like organ transplants possible to treating once-fatal bacterial infections, the impact of antibiotics is undeniable.

However, the effectiveness of entire classes of antibiotics is being threatened by a growing global issue: antimicrobial resistance, or AMR.

As part of the World Health Organization’s Antimicrobial Awareness Week, also referred to as Antibiotic Awareness Week (Nov. 18-24), an AMR expert with Baptist Health explains how we’ve arrived at this point and what you, the healthcare consumer, can do about it.

What is Antimicrobial Resistance?

“AMR is a very real issue that threatens success across all areas of healthcare and beyond,” says Timothy Gauthier, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP, Baptist Health’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Program Manager.

As a pharmacist with advanced training in infectious diseases, pharmacotherapy and antimicrobial stewardship program management, Dr. Gauthier works on the front lines of antimicrobial resistance and is passionate about finding immediate and long-term solutions.

Antimicrobial resistance is a naturally occurring process, Dr. Gauthier says, but the widespread and often improper use of antibiotics accelerates it. “Simply put, through a combination of misuse and overuse, the antibiotics we’ve relied on for generations are rapidly being rendered ineffective,” he says. “Even worse, there are no new ‘super drugs’ ready to replace them.”

AMR: The Rise of a Global Health Threat

After decades of progress enabled by antibiotics, clinicians are seeing rising rates of drug-resistant infections around the world. The repercussions of AMR are profound.

“When antibiotics lose their effectiveness, there are fewer options for treating serious infections,” says Dr. Gauthier. This can lead to extended hospital stays, more complex treatment regimens and a greater risk of adverse outcomes, he explains. “Moreover, routine medical procedures become much riskier if the antibiotics used to prevent infections are no longer reliable.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antimicrobial resistance was directly responsible for at least 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019. In the United States alone, more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur annually, resulting in nearly 36,000 deaths.

Safely Prescribing and Using Antibiotics

Antimicrobial Awareness Week underscores the urgent need for responsible use of antibiotics and other antimicrobials, Dr. Gauthier says. And this falls on both the patient and the physician, he emphasizes.

Data shows that a significant number of patients who request antibiotics for viral illnesses receive them, Dr. Gauthier says. This highlights a critical disconnect where patient expectations can inadvertently lead to improper treatment.

“A common scenario in doctors’ offices and urgent care centers involves patients requesting—sometimes even demanding—antibiotics for conditions such as acute bronchitis, which is characterized by a persistent, hacking cough,” he says. “However, studies have shown that roughly 90% of acute bronchitis cases are viral. Antibiotics are designed to fight bacterial infections and have no effect whatsoever against viruses.”

The Dangers of Misusing Antibiotics

Dr. Gauthier says it’s crucial to understand the importance of using antibiotics only when necessary. “Inappropriate use not only fails to treat the underlying illness but also contributes to significant health risks for both individuals and the global community.”

Taking antibiotics when they are not needed does more harm than good, Dr. Gauthier says. Beyond the immediate side effects, there are long-term consequences:

• Impact on Your Microbiome: Antibiotics are not selective; they kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria in your body. This collateral damage can disrupt your gut health and immune system.
• Increased Antibiotic Resistance: Each time you take an antibiotic, you contribute to the pressure on bacteria to develop resistance. This means the next time you genuinely need an antibiotic it may not work.
• Unnecessary Costs and Inconvenience: A prescription that is not needed is a waste of time and money, from the cost of the drug to the time spent picking it up from the pharmacy.

It is also extremely dangerous to take antibiotics that were not prescribed for your current illness, share them with others or use expired medications, according to Dr. Gauthier. He says these practices can lead to incorrect treatment, mask a more serious condition and contribute to AMR’s rise.

Five Questions to Ask Before Taking Antibiotics

To empower yourself as a patient and support the appropriate use of these vital medicines, Dr. Gauthier suggests asking your healthcare provider the following five questions when seeking care for an illness or infection:

1. What is my diagnosis? Understanding the specific cause of your illness is the first step toward effective treatment.
2. What is the best treatment for this diagnosis? The best approach may be symptomatic management, such as rest and fluids, rather than a prescription.
3. When are antibiotics indicated for this condition? Inquire about the specific signs or symptoms that would signal a bacterial infection requiring antibiotics.
4. What are the risks of this antibiotic treatment? All medications carry risks. Antibiotics can cause side effects ranging from nausea and diarrhea to severe skin reactions and sun sensitivity. They also disrupt the natural balance of your microbiome, which can lead to other health issues like C. difficile, a potentially life-threatening infection.
5. What are the potential benefits of this antibiotic treatment? Weighing the potential benefits—such as reducing symptom duration or preventing complications—against the risks is essential for making an informed decision.

Dr. Gauthier adds that clear communication with your provider supports safer, more effective use of antibiotics and ensures you receive the best care for your specific condition.

Let your doctor be your doctor and let your diagnosis guide your treatment, and if you want antibiotics to work for you when you need them, don’t take them when you don’t.

Timothy Gauthier, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP, Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Program Manager for Baptist Health