If you have been prescribed antibiotics to help treat a medical issue, then you should be aware that you can experience some side effects. Antibiotics are great for helping to clear up an infection, but they can also make you feel tired or unwell when you are taking them, adding to the symptoms of your illness.
Although it isn’t ideal, if you are taking antibiotics for whatever reason, you might expect to experience certain side effects, but this isn’t the case for everyone. One of the side effects that you may have noticed is tiredness, and this is something that we are going to explore in this article.
What to expect from our article
What Are Antibiotics?
Antibiotics are a type of medication that can be used to kill bacteria or prevent bacteria from being able to reproduce. They are mostly used to treat things like bacterial infections, and there are a few different types of antibiotics available. Each type can be useful for treating different types of infections, depending on what is causing it.
The two most general types of antibiotics are called broad spectrum antibiotics and narrow spectrum antibiotics. The first of these can be used to fight various types of bacteria, and they are great to use when it is not known what type of bacteria is actually causing the infection.
On the other hand, narrow spectrum antibiotics can only be used against specific types of bacteria. They usually work to the best of their ability when the bacteria that is causing the infection is known. There are 3 main ways in which antibiotics work, which are by:
- Weakening the cell walls of the bacteria until they burst, which kills the bacteria
- Preventing the bacteria from repairing any damage, which causes it to die
- Stopping the process that allows bacteria to reproduce and spread
Can Antibiotics Make You Tired?
Yes, antibiotics can make you tired, and they can cause fatigue. There are certain types of antibiotics that are more likely to make you experience excessive tiredness or a lack of energy, like amoxicillin. Each type of antibiotic is different and can cause different side effects, but many of them are known to make people feel tired or experience symptoms of fatigue.
Which Antibiotics Can Make You Tired?
There are various different types of antibiotics that can make you feel tired, and this is actually a common side effect for many antibiotics. The main reason for this is not exactly known, but some experts believe that it is due to a change in nutrient absorption or dehydration that can occur when the biome of the digestive system has been disrupted.
While antibiotics can help to rid your body of bad bacteria, they also take away some of the good bacteria along the way, which can leave your body feeling fatigued. Although, you should know that not all antibiotics will cause fatigue, and even those that do may not affect everyone. Some of the most common types of antibiotics that make you feel tired are:
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is a highly effective penicillin antibiotic that is often used to treat conditions like bronchitis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. If you are feeling exhausted or weak after taking these antibiotics, then you should contact your doctor. While it is quite normal to feel tired when you are taking this medication, you should be cautious if you start to feel weak or faint, or find it difficult to stay awake. Sulfamethoxazole is sometimes a great alternative to Amoxicillin.
Azithromycin
This is another common type of antibiotic that lists extreme tiredness as a side effect, and it is commonly used to treat certain bacterial infections, like respiratory, skin, ear, and eye infections. It is also sometimes used against certain sexually transmitted diseases. If you are taking this medication and experiencing fatigue, you should talk to your doctor to find an alternative if necessary.
Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin is another commonly used antibiotic that can cause fatigue, and it is often used to treat skin, prostate, and bone infections, as well as other things. Interestingly, it was first developed as a cure for anthrax poisoning. Some of the side effects of this medication can include dizziness, drowsiness, and generally feeling less awake and alert. There are some alternatives that are available.
You should keep in mind that everyone will respond differently to antibiotics, and while some people may experience the side effects, others may not. You should always talk to your doctor if you are experiencing any severe side effects or if you are generally concerned. It is important to ensure that the medication you are taking is right for you. You should also always inform your doctor of any other medications that you are taking, as they can affect each other.
What Are the Other Side Effects of Antibiotics?
All antibiotics are different and can have different side effects. Although, some of the most common side effects for antibiotics include:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach cramps, which are some of the most common side effects
- Fevers, although the illness that the antibiotics have been prescribed for can also cause this
- Headaches
- Anxiety and depression can be triggered or worsened by antibiotics
- A sensitivity to light, which could make your eyes more sensitive to light or make you sunburn more easily
- Fungal infections as bacteria usually help to keep yeast and other fungi out of control
- Discolouration of the teeth, but most commonly in children that are under the age of 8 years old.
- An allergic reaction, presenting symptoms like hives, rashes, a shortness of breath, or even anaphylaxis in severe cases
Why Do Antibiotics Cause Side Effects?
You might already know that any medication you take can cause side effects, and these can be triggered for various reasons. It can sometimes be due to the fact that your immune system is overreacting to the medication, causing an allergic reaction. Alternatively, some medications can have a chemical structure that affects your body in different ways.
Another reason why antibiotics can cause side effects is that they kill all bacteria, instead of just the bad bacteria. Your body also needs good bacteria, and without this, you can experience stomach problems, which is why they are so common. It can be helpful to take probiotics to lessen the effects that can be caused by a lack of beneficial bacteria.
You should always follow any instructions on the medication or that have been given to you by a doctor when you have been prescribed antibiotics. While some antibiotics should be taken with food, others should not. The little things like this are really important to be aware of, as they can influence the side effects that you experience.
What to Do if Antibiotics Make You Tired
If you are taking antibiotics, and they are making you feel tired, you should:
- Give your body some time to adjust to the new medication
- Try to avoid driving or things that require you to be alert
- Make sure that you are getting plenty of sleep
- Avoid taking other over-the-counter medications that can cause sleepiness
- Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other substances that cause fatigue
If your tiredness is making it difficult for you to function throughout the day, then it might be worth asking your doctor if there is a different antibiotic that can help you without making you feel so tired. You shouldn’t stop taking your antibiotics without talking to your doctor first, as the infection could come back. Stopping the antibiotics before you finish the course can also contribute to antibiotic resistance.
If you do start taking any new medication that makes you feel sleepy, then you should know that there may be other options available to you. Think about discussing alternatives with your doctor, and try to avoid activities that require you to be alert in the meantime.
You should also avoid alcohol and other over-the-counter medications that list tiredness as a side effect. Try to keep healthy sleep habits and get a good night’s rest where you can. If your fatigue does not get better within a few days, or it continues to get worse, you should call your doctor for advice.
Summary
Even though antibiotics can be amazing for treating bacterial infections, there are some people that can experience side effects when they take them like tiredness, weakness, dizziness, and more. Sometimes, these side effects can impact your ability to function throughout the day, and if this is happening to you, then you should talk to your doctor to try and find a solution.
This is especially important if your antibiotics are making you so tired that you can’t complete normal daily activities, you feel that you cannot drive safely, or it is affecting your performance at work. If your fatigue doesn’t get better within a few days, or it gets worse, then you should talk to your doctor, as they can give you the best advice. It is also important to only take antibiotics when they are needed, and ensure that you are following the instructions.
