Learn About Common OTC Antibiotics

Antibiotics are a great treatment for strep throat! Ladies, they'll even act as an effective UTI treatment. You'll get antibiotic treatment for many severe infections. All of these mean prescription antibiotics! The good news? There are OTC antibiotics! Most of them are topical antibiotic ointment, but some are antibiotic lozenges too. You'll get the best over-the-counter antibiotics when you know your options.

Why Many Antibiotics Are Prescription-Only

Ladies, many antibiotics are prescription-only in the US. Why? Doctors know what ones are right for their patients! Not all of them suit some conditions. Your doctor needs to consider your health and medical history too. Many people would take antibiotics when they don't need to, ladies. They don't work on viral infections, but if lots of antibiotics were over-the-counter ones, that's what many would take them for. Doing that is only going to increase your risk of antibiotic resistance! Ladies, misusing antibiotics also triggers severe side effects. Doctors stop all of this as much as possible with prescription-only antibiotics. Of course, some are OTC!

Polymyxin B

Polymyxin B is very common. This one treats UTIs and many other infections. Most of the time, it's given via injection, so you'll need a prescription for that! The good news? It is available over-the-counter too! Ladies, polymyxin B is mixed with bacitracin to make a good ointment. One of the brands of it is Polysporin! It's great for treating minor wounds on your skin. It'll handle burns, cuts, and scrapes! The ointment stops the wounds from getting infected. It'll even help when an infection is already there. Ladies, your wounds heal faster too!

Clean and dry your wound first. Use a thin layer of your ointment and seal it in with a bandage. Reapply up to 3 times in one day, ladies. Talk to your doctor if things persist after 7 days.

Bacitracin

Remember bacitracin? It's part of a common ointment: Polysporin! But ladies, this antibiotic is also used alone in other ointments. It also treats minor wounds in your skin and prevents them from getting infected. It just can't be used on things like severe burns, puncture wounds, and animal bites! Some allergies make bacitracin ointment unsuitable. Don't use it when you're allergic to mineral oil or petroleum jelly!

You can use this one just once a day or up to 3 times! Ladies, keep it to your wound in small amounts. Using lots at once isn't good! You have to watch for allergic reactions to it, even though they're rare. The signs are breathing issues, hives, and swelling. The swelling is going to be in your lips, tongue, and face! Get emergency help for a reaction like this. And ladies? If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor about this ointment first!

Neomycin

Neomycin is an OTC antibiotic in ointments, just like the others! Ladies, you'll find neomycin with bacitracin and polymyxin B most of the time. So guess what? That means it'll also help with minor burns, scrapes, and cuts. It'll stop them from getting infected! Neomycin even works on many minor sores! It makes all of these heal very fast. Of course, you have to know about side effects! Ladies, they are itchy skin, skin redness, burning, and irritated skin. Rashes are very rare! However, you have to tell your doctor about all the side effects you get right away!

Ladies, wash your hands when you're using this ointment! Before and after is the best. A thin layer of it works on your wounds! Putting on too much means your body will absorb too much. The risks of this are hearing loss and kidney issues, among others. Ladies, when you have kidney disease, you have to talk about neomycin with your doctor first. Others are better for you! The same goes for when you're pregnant. Don't use it on a kid where their diaper is. They can absorb too much when it's a tight diaper!

Gramicidin

Gramicidin is in lots of throat lozenges. In fact, most OTC lozenges are going to have it! Gramicidin is also used in ointments. Ladies, you'll find it with other antibiotics, antiseptics, and even anesthetics! The lozenges will numb your throat and take the pain away. They even taste sweet, thanks to the sucrose in them! Of course, when you have diabetes, you need sugar-free lozenges instead.

Talking to your doctor before taking anything with this antibiotic is important. Ladies, you'll react to the lozenges and ointment when you are allergic to anesthetics and other ingredients! You have to avoid certain medications too, since many interact with gramicidin. Take the lozenges as you need them for a sore throat. Ladies, just don't have more than 8 in one day!