If you have an infection, or are at risk of developing an infection, your clinician will talk to you about your treatment options. This may mean taking medicines depending on the type or risk of infection you have. Your clinician will explain the possible benefits and harms (the good things and bad things) that might happen.
If you decide to take the medicine, your clinician will give you instructions about what you need to do. It is important that you follow these instructions correctly so that the medicine can work to fight your infection. Talk to your clinician if you are not sure what do, or if you have questions.
Some medicines may have side effects. Understanding the possible side effects can help you know what to expect.
Some other things that you need to know about the antimicrobial medicine are:
- When to start the medicine
- How many times a day to take, use or apply the medicine
- Whether to take tablets or capsules with food or on an empty stomach
- How the medicine will affect other medicines you use
- What the potential side effects are
- Signs or symptoms of when to seek urgent care, depending on the type or risk of infection
- When to stop the medicine.
You may need another appointment with your clinician to check that the medicine is working.