Fact sheet: What you need to know about antimicrobial medications like antibiotics

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Organization: Health Canada

Date published: 2024

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Any use of antimicrobial medication can increase the risk of germs developing resistance, making it harder to treat or prevent infections or illnesses. That is why health care providers are careful to prescribe antimicrobial medications only when necessary.

Yes, I have been prescribed an antimicrobial medication

Your health care provider has given you a prescription for an antimicrobial medication.

It's important to follow your health care provider's instructions to help ensure antimicrobial medications continue to work when needed. Contact your provider if you have any questions or concerns.

Do:

Do not:

No, I have not been prescribed an antimicrobial medication

Your health care provider determined that an antimicrobial medication isn't needed.

Antimicrobial medications such as antibiotics work on infections caused by bacteria. Antibiotics do not work on viruses, such as common colds and flu.

Viral infections such as common colds and flu will usually go away on their own. To help the process:

Antimicrobials include antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics. Use only when prescribed.

Why I should care about antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial medication is used to stop or slow the growth of germs, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites that cause infections. Antimicrobial resistance (also known as AMR) is when germs change in ways that they no longer respond to the medications. AMR makes it harder to prevent or treat infections.

Any use of antimicrobial medication can increase the risk of germs developing resistance, making it important to use them as prescribed.

When you take your antimicrobial medication as prescribed, you're doing your part to help:

Tips to prevent future infections

Protect yourself, your family and your community. Learn more about antimicrobial resistance.

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