Antibiotic effects from ibuprofen and paracetamolImage Credit Source: UNSPLASH/Getty Image
Overuse of antibiotics and penillers: We have a habit of getting a fever or cold cold, to get immediate relief, in which there are some painkillers for rest that we immediately eat without consulting a doctor. There are two common painkillers such as – ibuprofen or paracetamol which are immediately eaten to treat the disease. But both these painkillers are weakening your antibiotic resistance.
Recently research has come to light in University of South Australia, in which it has been found that everyday painkiller is harming our antibiotic resistance. This means that when a bacteria attacks the body, the immunity fights it. But when these capacity starts getting weaker, then the body becomes weak in fighting diseases. Then even after taking the remaining medicines, the body does not recover quickly.
What is antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic are medicines that work to kill bacteria, but when bacteria are repeatedly exposed to medicines, they gradually seem to change (mutation) and the effect of antibiotics decreases on them. This situation is called antibiotic resistance. People call such bacteria superbugs. This means that the medicine which used to eliminate bacteria earlier, now the same medicine becomes neutralized.
What is the role of painkiller in this?
Research found that when drugs like paracetamol and ibuprofen are taken with antibiotics, bacteria start changing even more rapidly. Especially bacteria like E. Coli activate such genes in the effect of these drugs, which remove the medicine from the body. As a result, not only one antibiotic, but many other medicines also stop working.
Why is this dangerous?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has already included antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among the world’s largest public health challenges. In 2019, this caused around 1.27 million deaths. Researchers estimate that this figure may increase even more in the years. This case is more serious in countries like India because people often eat antibiotics and painkillers without advice. If this continues, then in the coming time small infections can also become fatal because medicines will not work.
Should we leave pen killer medicines?
No, it is not so. But research says that eat them thoughtfully and on the advice of a doctor. Change the habit of eating pen killer only when there is a small problem. Especially the elderly and children or those who are already sick and are taking many medicines together, or those who are undergoing treatment- they have to be more careful.
Understand in easy language:
- Very easy medicines – such as fever or pain can also help adjust bacteria.
- Especially when it is taken with antibiotics, bacteria can change dangerously.
- The elderly or those who need to take many medicines, should take a painkiller only after consulting the doctor.
- We also have to take care of the side effects of medicines and their interactions. Not only their signs and reasons for use.