Skip to content Skip to main menu Skip to utility menu

Antibiotics are not harmless

February 15, 2022

Antibiotics are not harmless. They are medicines in their own right and can have serious side effects, as well as important drug interactions.

  • Always check a patient’s drug allergy status before prescribing or administering any antibiotics. You can find patients’ allergy status on Unity.
  • Always check for drug interactions before prescribing them. Make sure the dose is appropriate for their weight and renal function.
  • Report adverse reactions to medicines via the Yellow Card scheme online at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/.

Every extra day of antibiotic treatment counts, so always think about stopping antibiotics if they are no longer needed.

Be sure to also check out this shot video from Dr Chizo Agwu, Deputy Medical Director pledging to raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance.

Would you like to become an antibiotic champion? We are currently seeking clinical colleagues who want to become antibiotic champions. This could be nurses, junior doctors, ward managers, registrars, pharmacists, consultants, matrons and pharmacy technicians – anyone who is interested in helping to improve the use of antibiotics at the Trust to improve patient care and limit the spread of antibiotic resistance.

If this is something of interest to you, please see the antibiotic champion information sheet for further details.