A Short Review On Antibiotic Drug

Abstract

Antibiotic drug abuse, characterized by the excessive or inappropriate use of antibiotics in humans and animals, is a growing global health crisis. This misuse occurs through overprescription (often for viral infections), patient non-adherence, self-medication, and rampant non-therapeutic use in agriculture. Drivers include patient demand, diagnostic uncertainty, economic incentives, weak regulations, and lack of public awareness. The most severe consequence is antimicrobial resistance (AMR), where bacteria evolve to withstand antibiotics, leading to untreatable "superbugs." AMR increases treatment failures, mortality rates, healthcare costs, and undermines critical medical procedures like surgeries and chemotherapy. Additionally, antibiotic abuse disrupts the microbiome, raises risks of infections like C. difficile, and pollutes the environment with resistant bacteria. Addressing this crisis demands a unified "One Health" strategy, integrating human, animal, and environmental health efforts. Key measures include enforcing antibiotic stewardship programs to promote responsible prescribing, improving public education on proper antibiotic use, and investing in rapid diagnostics to differentiate bacterial from viral infections. Stricter regulations on antibiotic access in human medicine and banning non-therapeutic agricultural use are essential.