Why you should finish your prescribed antibiotics
Learn why antibiotics are important and how to prevent their overuse.
© American Chemical Society (A Britannica Publishing Partner)
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© Open University (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Learn about antibiotics.
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Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzLearn how to effectively use antibiotics.
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Video © Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.; still photos A.W. Rakosy/Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Bacterial colonies progress through phases of growth.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.The role of bacteria in organic decomposition is part of the process of removing unwanted biological materials from landfills and water.
News •
Over 25% of people lie to get antibiotics—and their lies aren’t even good
• Oct. 30, 2026, 3:00 AM ET (Ars Technica)
Dental implants can hijack your immune system, scientists discover
• Oct. 23, 2026, 7:14 AM ET (Science Daily)
Transcript
CARMEN DRAHL: Let's say you feel awful and your doctor prescribes antibiotics. If you feel better after a day or two, do you really have to finish the pills? We've got the answer that will banish your bug.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
When I was little, an antibiotic called Amoxicillin cured my strep throat. Back then I had no idea that surgeons use antibiotics to prevent infections. Or that farmers use them to keep our food supply healthy.
Antibiotic means against life. We're talking molecules that kill bacteria. Chemists have been part of the antibiotic scene from the beginning.
They helped isolate penicillin from mold, just in time to help soldiers during World War II. They figured out how to mass produce enough antibiotics for anyone who needs them. And they've been making changes to the antibiotics structures so that they'll stay effective and kill more types of bacteria.
That last point is important because bacteria are constantly outsmarting us. It starts with a few mutant bacteria that chew up or resist antibiotics. Over time, the pills become useless.
Not scaring you yet? Well listen to this. The World Health Organization says that the pipeline of new antibiotics is running dry. Many of our oldest antibiotics don't even work anymore. Since 2000, just two new types of antibiotics have made it to market.
That's why you should finish your antibiotics when your doctor asks you to. You might feel better before the pills are gone. But if you don't kill all the bacteria in your system, the leftover microbes might strike back in a form we can't even treat.
Another problem is that we've been careless with antibiotics. Some big farms are abusing them to fatten up cattle. Ordinary folks are taking antibiotics when they don't need them.
You can help. Don't ask your doctor for antibiotics if you have a cold or the flu. Those are caused by viruses and antibiotics won't help.
We need antibiotics to preserve the world as we know it. Before antibiotics, my strep throat could have caused permanent damage to my kidneys or my heart. But it was easily treated with cheap antibiotics. So I'm just glad my parents made me finish all those pills.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
When I was little, an antibiotic called Amoxicillin cured my strep throat. Back then I had no idea that surgeons use antibiotics to prevent infections. Or that farmers use them to keep our food supply healthy.
Antibiotic means against life. We're talking molecules that kill bacteria. Chemists have been part of the antibiotic scene from the beginning.
They helped isolate penicillin from mold, just in time to help soldiers during World War II. They figured out how to mass produce enough antibiotics for anyone who needs them. And they've been making changes to the antibiotics structures so that they'll stay effective and kill more types of bacteria.
That last point is important because bacteria are constantly outsmarting us. It starts with a few mutant bacteria that chew up or resist antibiotics. Over time, the pills become useless.
Not scaring you yet? Well listen to this. The World Health Organization says that the pipeline of new antibiotics is running dry. Many of our oldest antibiotics don't even work anymore. Since 2000, just two new types of antibiotics have made it to market.
That's why you should finish your antibiotics when your doctor asks you to. You might feel better before the pills are gone. But if you don't kill all the bacteria in your system, the leftover microbes might strike back in a form we can't even treat.
Another problem is that we've been careless with antibiotics. Some big farms are abusing them to fatten up cattle. Ordinary folks are taking antibiotics when they don't need them.
You can help. Don't ask your doctor for antibiotics if you have a cold or the flu. Those are caused by viruses and antibiotics won't help.
We need antibiotics to preserve the world as we know it. Before antibiotics, my strep throat could have caused permanent damage to my kidneys or my heart. But it was easily treated with cheap antibiotics. So I'm just glad my parents made me finish all those pills.
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