New Warning Labels For Antibiotics

by Sally Eckels

Germs are growing increasingly resistance to antibiotics, and fighting many common infections is no longer as simple as a visit to the doctor for a penicillin shot. In fact, some of these germs have already or will ultimately become untreatable by any antibiotic on the market.

Antibiotics work primarily in helping your body fight bacteria (not viruses) by directly killing them or by weakening them so your own immune system can fight them easily. However, anytime an antibiotic is used, survivor germs can appear with more strength and tenacity than before. Often times, antibiotics are misused and prescribed for symptoms that are caused by viruses such as ear infections in children or adults with cold and cough symptoms. In fact, the government estimates that half of the 100 million antibiotic prescriptions written each year are unnecessary.

Two years ago, the FDA proposed regulations for labels that warned consumers that overusing antibiotics makes them less effective. As of Wednesday, February 5 the regulations were finalized saying all antibiotics must bear these new warnings by February 6, 2004. This new policy will also require warnings reminding patients to not share their pills with anyone and to take drugs exactly as prescribed.

Drug officials will hold the responsibility for these warning labels, and unfortunately, doctors rarely read drug labels anymore. The FDA emphatically reiterates that doctors must be certain a patient has contracted a bacterial infection and not a virus with similar symptoms before prescribing these medicines. In addition, the agency will make efforts to spread the word of responsible usage to consumers which may include an ad campaign.