Is it such a bad idea to take antibiotics prescribed months ago?

[mybrainaches]

I think I have an ear infection, I have some antibiotics unused from a few months ago, can I take them?

What where they prescribed for?

Did you start the course and not finish it?

No. They may not be the right antibiotics; they might not be the right strength; and your infection could be caused by a virus.

They were prescribed for an absess (sp) I only took 4 of them.

If you've already taken four of them, you no longer have a full course of antibiotics and you may not have enough of them to work.

And of course they were prescribed for something different so may not be the right antibiotics for an ear infection (not all antibiotcs act in the same way).

Wouldn't take them.

You should always finish a course of antibs.

yes you're right Buda. A course of antibiotics should always be finished otherwise it gives the bacteria the chance to become antibiotic resistant.