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Antibiotics are generally safe but can produce reactions and even serious medical complications in some individuals. Patients should contact their physician immediately if they experience any of the following:
- Allergic reaction, including skin rash or itching. Severe allergic reaction includes swelling, hives, shortness of breath and collapse (anaphylactic shock).
- Tachycardia (abnormally fast heartbeat)
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dark or discolored tongue
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or confusion
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Headache
- Gastrointestinal problems (abdominal cramps, diarrhea, bloating)
- Ringing in ears
- Unusual thirst
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Back or joint pain or stiffness
- Jaundice (yellow eyes and/or skin)
- Muscle twitches or spasms
- Convulsions or seizures
- Photosensitivity (rapid burn when exposed to sunlight)
Other possible complications include kidney failure, liver abnormalities and pseudomembranous colitis. This is a condition caused by the killing of “good” bacteria by antibiotics, thus allowing for the growth of another bacterium, Clostridium difficile. This bacterium is responsible for watery and bloody diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain. Pseudomembranous colitis is treated with an antibacterial drug such as metronidazole or vancomycin. | 
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