I've been taking antibiotics for a chest infection for the past 5 days (form of penicillin) My coughing was improving even before I took the medication, but now even more so, my once chesty cough is very loose and the only time I really cough is on some mornings or in smokey atmospheres, which has always been a problem for me so I try to avoid them. My problem now is not the coughing, its the side effects I'm having from the antibiotics. I've been burning up, feeling very nauseous, and having bad diarrhea. I'm at University at the minute and I can't see a doctor for a while. I still have half of the medication to get through but I really want to stop taking it. I know you shouldn't stop taking medication until the medication is all finished but I feel as though its causing me more harm than good. I read on a medical website on the internet that penicillin only needs to be taken for around 5 days for problems such as mine anyway. However, a flatmate of mine told me that I could harm my body greatly if I stop taking the medication now. I just thought that the problem may come back if medication was stopped.
Basically, I just want to know if its safe to stop taking the antibiotics now. I know I shouldn't but I don't think I can stand taking this medication any longer.