The choice of antibiotic mainly depends on which infection you have and the germ (bacterium or parasite) doctor thinks is causing your infection. This is because each antibiotic is effective only against certain bacteria and parasites
There are other factors that influence the choice of an antibiotic. These include:
- How severe the infection is.
- Other medications you may be taking.
- Common side-effects.
- A history of having an allergy to a certain type of antibiotic.
It is important to take antibiotics in the correct way. If you do not, this may reduce how well they work. For example, some antibiotics need to be taken with food and others should be taken on an empty stomach. If you do not take your antibiotics in the right way it will affect how much of them get into your body (their absorption) and therefore they may not work as well. So, follow the instructions as given by your doctor and on the leaflet that comes with the antibiotic you are prescribed.