Page "Antibacterial" Paragraph 30

Side-effects range from mild to very serious depending on the antibiotics used, the microbial organisms targeted, and the individual patient.

Safety profiles of newer drugs are often not as well established as for those that have a long history of use.

Adverse effects range from fever and nausea to major allergic reactions, including photodermatitis and anaphylaxis.

Common side-effects include diarrhea, resulting from disruption of the species composition in the intestinal flora, resulting, for example, in overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, such as Clostridium difficile.

Antibacterials can also affect the vaginal flora, and may lead to overgrowth of yeast species of the genus Candida in the vulvo-vaginal area.

Additional side-effects can result from interaction with other drugs, such as elevated risk of tendon damage from administration of a quinolone antibiotic with a systemic corticosteroid.