Been prescribed amoxicillin and prednisolone - can I just take the amoxicillin?

[AskBasil]

Having just looked at the list of potential side effects, I'm not keen on taking the steroids. But then, it's only 30mg for five days, so maybe OK? Anyone else just had them for a few days and been OK?

It's for a cough that just hasn't cleared up.

Please take the prednisolone!
I've been on both at the same time hundreds of times.
They won't hurt you and the side effects (if you experience any) outway the benefits)
I didn't take them the last time I had a chest infection (have asthma) and wishing an hour or so I went from being uncomfortable to breathe to unable to breathe

I'll admit when I take them I'm on 'another planet and my memory is awful and for weeks/ month or two after. Not wanting to scare you I promise! But that's why I didn't take them the last time because was sick to death of feeling like that.
When I was admitted to hospital and finally admitted why I didn't take them! I was told it was completely normal for some people but a very low percentage!
Please please take them. You would t of been prescribed them if you didn't really need them.
Hope you feel better soon

Within* not wishing

Oooh! I'm on my second course of these two drugs in the last 3 weeks (chest infection). I must admit I didn't take the steroid yesterday and was so breathless I thought I was going to faint in the supermarket.. took it today and it seems much better.

See I'm not particularly breathless. It's just a cough, my chest was a bit wheezy when the doctor checked it, but it is just a cough. So in the old days, it would just have been anti-biotics, no steroids. Not sure why I've been prescribed the steroids, it looks like it's for asthma, but they haven't said I've got asthma.

I know it's only for 5 days and a lowish dose, but the side effects look so dramatic, that I wonder whether I need to risk taking them when maybe the anti-biotics on their own would be enough?

It's alarming to think that there could be side effects weeks later, even for such a short course.

The steroids and antibiotics do completely different things. The antibiotics will get rid of a bacterial infection whereas the steriods will reduce inflamation in your chest. If the gp thinks you need both you should take both. The side effects are scary but its a very short course and the benifits outweigh the negatives. If it makes you feel better, we give pred to children all the time up to 40mg and unless they're having numerous courses, we would never expect any long term side effects. They make kids pretty hyper so normally recommend taking them in the morning!

If I took 20mg instead of 30, would it be a bad move? Should I just do as I'm told and take 30mg? I'm very small, so 30 is prob the equivalent of 30 for someone of average height anyway.

Sorry equivalent of 20 is what that should say

Take the steroids.
All of them. Honestly.
My ds is 11 (and very small for his age - 23kg last month), and he takes 30mg for 5 days when he needs it. It makes him hyper for the 5 days and a couple afterwards, then he has a couple of days of being a little bit tearful, then he's fine.
If the Dr wanted you to take 20, they'd have prescribed you 20.

No you should either take the prescribed dose or you should go back to your gp and explain you don't want to take this.

Don't reduce the dose, it will not be as effective.
I have taken them before and had no problems and would recommend you do if the GP thought you needed them enough to prescribe for you

If you read the warnings for any drug it is terrifying so don't be put off

Take the steroids. I thought the same as you so didn't.

I lost my hearing. Wish I'd taken the steroids now!

I have had them more than once with no side effects apart from.improved health!

Kids can have 2mg per kg up to 40mg so unless youre under 15kg, 30mg is a fine done. If anything its already a low dose. If youre this worried about taking it though might be worth calling gp or speaking to the pharmacist as i'm not sure what more people here could say to reassure you, and a pharmacist would be able to discuss any side effects that were worrying you.

Take the steroids. Honestly I went from on a Friday thinking I had a chest infection and would make an appointment on the Monday. On Saturday I rang the OOH and she pointed out I couldn't say a sentence. Went in, and couldn't stop coughing but wasn't out of breath. Next thing I'm on a nebuliser. It took 6 nebulisers that weekend, two courses of antibiotics, two lots of steroids and I had to go for a chest x ray weeks later as they thought it was pneumonia
No side effects off the steroids at all

My mum has taken pred at a high dose for 20 years for severe Crohn's disease, they are the only thing that works for her. She has very few side effects and thinks they are miracle worker pills. Saying that, they don't recommend anyone stays on them long term but I'm just showing you that a short course won't do you any harm at all!

I have moderate asthma and have taken lots of 5 day courses. They are brilliant at kicking infections out along with antibiotics - the steroids reduce the inflammation.

OK MNers, you've convinced me. Here's my 6 tablets of 5mg each now. Wish me luck.

take the steroids.
lung damage isn't fun.

PLEASE HELP - i know this is an old thread but I am on this combination now. I have had the flu, have asthma (struggling to take my inhalers for this cough associatiated with the flu.
Anyway the Long and short of it is I am up now can’t sleep as every time I try to sleep laying down even propped up with pillows I am gagging almost vomiting lots of phlegm/mucus. It’s quite sudden and scary. Did anyone else have this experience? This is day 2.5 and the effects and severity of this is getting worse. GP recommended 500mh of Amoxicillin 3 x a day and Prednisolone 5MG x 6 tablets once a day. Many thanks

Me too! Last night was awful and it wasn't just the stormy weather! Ive hardly slept and neither has DH, how can my body produce so much phlegm, it is hideous!!!! I feel like I'm suffocating, then my pelvic floor gives way through coughing

I'm sorry I cant help you but am hoping for advice for both of us!

The flu and asthma is a shitty combo and on the two occasions I've had flu I've ended up in hospital.

Producing a lot of mucus in going to happen with that much inflammation and it is difficult to sleep. I think your guide to your next step will be the degree of respiratory distress. It might be worth call to 111 and see what they say.

Thanks both I saw GP again yesterday as it was quite scary. He changed my antibiotic yesterday and last night was as bad again with some blood in the Phelgm/mucus too. It’s not normal loosening of the phelgm/mucus that I have ever experienced with any other chest infection I have had over the years. It was like my body on absolute over drive trying to expel anything and everything too fast and while I was desperately in need of sleep.
I know what you mean I must be keeping Tena in business.
Do either of you feel any easier the last two nights? I am dreading another night like the last two my throat is killing me.

I'm so miserable,had another rubbish night , I just coughed and coughed. Blood in my phlegm too. I might have to get tena, I've been through so many pyjamas. I did find homemade honey and lemon helped and diet coke bizarrely. It stopped coughing feelings this afternoon, won't help with sleeping

Oh, I'm feeling fine thanks, mercifully dodging colds and flus all over the place this winter.

Hopefully the new anti-inflammatory biotics will kick in soon Brighteyes. I'm not sure that anything will make much difference on top of the meds. I think drinking hot drinks offers a bit of relief but other than that it's just riding it out.

My auto correct hates me.

I had to take prednisolone for two years and I'm still here!