Why You Shouldn’t Use Leftover Antibiotics

Is It Safe to Give Leftover Antibiotics?: Medication Safety for Ontario Parents

No, it's not safe to give leftover antibiotics to your child or anyone else. Even if the symptoms look similar to a previous infection, leftover antibiotics can be harmful and won't treat the current illness properly.

How antibiotics work

Antibiotics are prescribed for specific bacterial infections, in exact doses, for precise time periods. When your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, they consider your child's weight, age, the type of bacteria causing the infection, and how severe the illness is.

Each antibiotic targets different types of bacteria. Amoxicillin works great for ear infections but won't help with a skin infection that needs a different antibiotic. Using the wrong antibiotic is like trying to unlock your front door with your car key – it just won't work.

The dose matters too. Leftover antibiotics usually mean there isn't enough medication to fully treat an infection. A partial dose might make your child feel better temporarily but won't kill all the harmful bacteria. This can make the infection worse and harder to treat later.

Why leftover antibiotics are risky - Wrong medication: The antibiotic might not target the current infection - Expired effectiveness: Old antibiotics lose their strength and may not work - Incomplete treatment: Not enough pills to fully clear the infection - Antibiotic resistance: Partial treatments help bacteria become resistant to medications - Side effects: Your child might have developed new allergies or medical conditions - Masking symptoms: Partial relief might hide a more serious condition What to do instead

If your child seems sick, contact your family doctor or text Arlo to speak with a healthcare provider. They can determine if your child actually needs an antibiotic and prescribe the right one if needed.

Many childhood illnesses that look like bacterial infections are actually viral and won't respond to antibiotics at all. A healthcare provider can tell the difference and suggest the best treatment.

Common questions

Parents often ask if they can save "just in case" antibiotics, but this creates more problems than it solves. Unused antibiotics should be returned to your pharmacy for safe disposal – most Ontario pharmacies have take-back programs.

Some wonder if they can share antibiotics between siblings, but each child's infection is unique and needs individual assessment and treatment.

The takeaway

When in doubt, always check with a healthcare provider rather than using leftover medications. Your child deserves the right treatment for their specific situation.

You can always text Arlo and talk to a provider in 5 minutes!

References - [Antibiotic Use and Resistance](https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/antibioticuseand_resistance)

- [Safe medication storage and disposal](https://www.ontario.ca/page/safe-medication-storage-and-disposal)

- [Antibiotics: When they help and when they don't](https://aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=1004)