To take someone else's antibiotics

[Thefthepain]

Not sure what to do.
Have two issues that may or may not be related.

Lump in my neck. Had bloods done and referral to maxillofacial specialist. Suspected cyst. Waiting on ultrasound.

Blood results came back. Mostly fine and proclaimed uninteresting by my GP but she did say they showed signs of a slight infection but wouldn't prescribe antibiotics yet as I was asymptomatic. Wanted to wait and get bloods repeated in a month to see if settled down.

Possibly unrelated?? Had a tooth filled beginning of March, dentist said filling might not be enough; may need root canal. Same side as my neck lump but neck lump came up first. So seemingly two unrelated issues?

Have been in pain for weeks. Definitely tooth. Clearly need root canal on that tooth. Not sure if pain is a combination of tooth and neck or just tooth? Can't be sure due to close proximity. Also assuming it's unfortunate timing but both issues are unrelated? Taking maximum amounts of paracetamol and ibuprofen daily. Did also have a phone consultation with dentist who wasn't much help and advised to just keep up with pain killers. He wouldn't prescribe antibiotics at that point either.

I'm fucking fed up. My bloods showed slight sign of infection. I'm in bloody agony. And I don't know what to do.

A relative was prescribed a 7 day course of amoxicillin 500mg for a tooth infection a month or two ago but never used them in the end. Would I be totally unreasonable to just take them?

Do not take medication not prescribed to you, especially not antibiotics!!! Your relative shouldn't have any left anyway as you must always complete the full course. This is why we have antibiotic resistance!! Once the current antibiotics no longer work there are no more...

Yes I'm afraid you would. You have no idea if you have an infection which would be sensitive to that particular antibiotic so it could be pointless. Perhaps arrange a phone consultation with your GP to discuss it further.

You also can't be sure your pain is infection related. Dental infections are taken quite seriously so you would have been prescribed antibiotics if it was felt appropriate.

Loads of bacteria are resistant to amoxicillin do not take it as it may not be appropriate.

YABVU! You need to see a GP and say what you’ve said here. It’s extremely unsafe to take medication that you haven’t been prescribed. Get an appointment tomorrow and if they say they can’t see you, demand it. It’s clearly urgent!

If you are not getting any luck you could get some online. It's expensive though.... the online clinic will do tooth infection antibiotics and are delivered the next day.

Forgive my naïveté - but what's the worst that could happen? I've taken meds prescribed for my partner before when he didn't finish a dose....

I would take them - I’ve had similar problems recently, noticed swelling under jaw, dentist thought it was due to tooth needing root canal and gave amoxicillin while waiting for appointment. Using corsadyl seemed to help with tooth discomfort too.

Generally they prescribed metronidazole for tooth infections instead of amoxicillin. I wouldn’t take antibiotics that hadn’t been prescribed for me. I sympathise, tooth pain is shit, I had a tooth where the nerve was dying and the pain was unreal. I couldn’t get in the dentist and no one would see me for a few days, I wanted to chop my own head off. I would ring the dentist again, explain the pain you’re in and see if there’s anything he can do.

I am a medical professional and highly advise NOT to take those antibiotics . We get prescribed medications for a reason . If you happened to have a terrible reaction to the antibiotics and got medical attention the person you got the medication off would be responsible . Please don’t for your safety as well as your relatives sake.

Yes, you're probably all right.

Just to add, though, I know it makes know difference but it isn't someone else's half finished course. They didn't take any of them so it's a ful unused course of amoxicillin. Said relative has been pestering me to take them for days but I've been saying no and reluctant to do so. Pain is quite bad tonight so felt very tempting. Glad I came here first though. Needed what I already knew to be reiterated. Just so bloody fed up and worried with it all.

You contribute to antibiotic resistance (your partner has already don't this by not completing the course), the bacteria may not be sensitive to the antibiotic making the course pointless, you may have an allergic reaction/ or adverse reaction depending on your comorbidities.

@theneighbourswindchime

IF you are ultimately prescribed a course of amoxicillin at the same dose and duration I would take them then to avoid waste and a prescription charge.

They probably wouldn’t help as wrong antibiotics anyway.

I'd just take them. I once took a course of old amoxicillin I had at home as it was Christmas and no bigger would see me or prescribe them. I had a tooth infection from a tooth that needed a root canal just like yours. Unfortunately I got a rash, turns out I was allergic. Meant I got to see an OOH doctor though who thankfully gave me some erythromycin which did the job beautifully. He thought it was hilarious that I had taken some out of date amoxicillin. I was in pain so had no qualms about taking them as I had no other option.

A week's course sounds a bit short though. Pretty sure I had two weeks?

PS Just saying that's what I'd do! You make your own call.

PPS I have an old course of erythromycin upstairs from when I had another possible infection but then didn't need them. Keeping those just in case and glad I have them for lockdown!!!

@MiniMum97

So you took unprescribed antibiotics, had an allergic reaction and still think it's a good idea?? You are very lucky you just had a rash, I nearly died from having a penicillin based antibiotic.
Dont take out of date antibiotics, they wont be as effective in killing off the bacteria and will result in the bacteria mutating and becoming resistant

MiniMum97
Your attitude to prescription medication is reckless and irresponsible. You are very lucky you only suffered a rash. Antibiotics may be used frequently but it doesn't mean they can't be dangerous when taken incorrectly. I am surprised that you don't seem concerned about the contribution your actions are making towards antibiotic resistance which is a very serious issue. It would be a good idea to reconsider your approach before you cause yourself some serious harm.

I'd take them. Make sure you finish the course even if they dont seem to be working.
Doctors have gone from handing out antibiotics like they're sweets to only giving them if the infection could kill you apparently. If you're in pain then try them.

Dont make a habit of it though.

I would. Have regularly taken pain relief and antibiotics prescribed for others and I say this as a person with many medical professionals in their family who do the same. Many a time taking a couple of antibiotics has prevented me from having to go to GP/ call 101as it's nipped the issue in the bud.

On balance I probably wouldn't, on the basis that they may be the wrong antibiotics and that taking antibiotics when you don't need them contributes to antibiotic resistance. But taking them is not likely to do you any harm, unless you have a previously undiagnosed allergy to them. People are sometimes prescribed preventative antibiotics before certain surgical procedures or after a sexual assault in case of STDs.

I’d assume your dentist will see you as it’s an emergency or at least prescribe over the phone

This would be a very bad idea. Not all antibiotics are alike for one thing, so you would have no idea if your relative’s would be suitable for you. You would also run the risk of running out of antibiotics before your infection was cleared, contributing to antibiotic resistance.

Keep on at your dentist and / or doctor and make sure they know how much main you’re in.