Can I take cold medicine after receiving long-acting penicillin?

Penicillin is an antibiotic commonly used to treat bacterial infections. If a cold is caused by a bacterial infection, after receiving long-acting penicillin injection, one should not take cold medicine targeting bacterial infections; however, if the cold is caused by a virus, antiviral cold medications may be taken afterward. The detailed explanation is as follows:

Penicillin is an antibiotic whose primary function is to kill bacteria and it is effective against infections caused by bacteria. It can be used to treat diseases such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and pneumonia. When suffering from a bacterial cold, there is no need to take additional cold medicine after receiving a long-acting penicillin injection, as this could lead to overlapping drug effects.

If cold symptoms are caused by a virus rather than a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be ineffective. In such cases, non-antibiotic cold medications—such as compound paracetamol and amantadine tablets, Ganmaoling granules, or Isatis root (Banlangen) granules—may be used under medical guidance to relieve symptoms.

If medication is needed, one should consult a doctor to ensure safe use. During treatment, it is also important to maintain a light diet and avoid spicy or irritating foods that might affect the drug's effectiveness.