HEALTH officials have launched a campaign to reduce the number of antibiotics prescribed to patients to prevent the evolution of superbugs.

Patients are being urged to allow their bodies to cure themselves of a variety of common complaints rather than rely on prescribed drugs.

Darlington Primary Care Trust has begun issuing leaflets in the town on how to manage ailments including coughs, sore throats and ear infections, some of which are caused by viruses that do not respond to antibiotics.

Every year, Darlington Primary Care Trust spends about £1.2m on antibiotics for the 250,000 prescriptions issued by the town's GPs.

Bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics as they adapt to negate their effects.

Some bacteria, called superbugs, have been known to resist several different types of antibiotic.

"If we keep over-using antibiotics we will produce superbugs which are resistant to them, when many infections get better themselves," said the trust's pharmaceutical advisor, Sally Bell.

"There can also be side effects from using antibiotics, such as sickness and diarrhoea. So antibiotics should only be used when you really need them."

Leaflets are being delivered to GP surgeries, dentist practices and public areas, including libraries.

Doctors are also being urged to resist prescribing antibiotics for minor complaints or issue delayed prescriptions which patients only use if their condition fails to improve after three or four days.

Instead, patients are being asked to manage their symptoms using over-the-counter drugs such as paracetamol. If ailments do not clear up, patients should contact their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

More information on infections and other health care problems can be found on the Consumer Health Information Centre website at www.chic.org.uk.