TITLE:
The Misuse of Antibiotics and the Rise of Bacterial Resistance: A Global Concern
AUTHORS:
Venkatesh Babu Kilari, Terry Oroszi
KEYWORDS:
Antibiotics, Rationality, Self-Medication, Resistance, Awareness
JOURNAL NAME:
Pharmacology & Pharmacy,
Vol.15 No.12,
December
30,
2024
ABSTRACT: Antibiotics are one of the basic drugs prescribed for hospitalized patients. Irrational prescription of antibiotics not only increases adverse drug reactions, but also helps for the development of resistance in bacteria. The rational prescription of antibiotics is necessary to control bacterial resistance that is developing throughout the world. Rationality means prescribing the clinically approved drug in a correct dose with exact knowledge of the drug and the disease, taking into account economic factors. In some conditions such as severe infections, we can see combination therapy with antibiotics, but this should be done according to the guidelines and we should also consider the characteristics and spectrum for prescribing combinational therapy with antibiotics. They are not recommended for minor infections. Bacteria use beta-lactamase enzyme to hydrolyze the beta-lactam ring, which is a type of resistance mechanism developed by bacteria against antibiotics that led to the development of antibiotics with new combinations. Self-medication of antibiotics and less compliance are one of the major reasons for the development of resistance along with irrational prescribing patterns. We must make sure that patients are always given evidence-based medicine. Physicians should be cautious about the consequences of the irrational antibiotic prescriptions before prescribing them to patients. The public should be more aware of the importance of antibiotics and their adherence.