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Background: there are many types of antibiotic drugs with different dosages and indications. Many patients often use antibiotics inappropriately and even without doctor's prescriptions, in this study we want to determine the antibiotics knowledge among general population of Makkah and to determine the proportion of population using antibiotics without prescriptions. Aim of the work: this study aimed to determine the severity of misuse of antibiotics and to educate the general population regarding the same. Methods: 500 questionnaires were distributed to the general adult population of Makkah. Data were analyzed to compare education level with the antibiotic knowledge, proportion of population taking antibiotics without prescription. Results: when comparing the males with females, statistically significant differences were obtained when inquired about knowledge of different types of antibiotics (p-value: 0.004), allergies related to antibiotics use (p-value: 0.007), differences in doses of several antibiotics (p-value: 0.019). Second comparison was done on the basis of educational levels, which revealed statistically significant differences when inquired about basic function of antibiotics (p-value: 0.000), knowledge of different antibiotic types (p-value: 0.017), allergies related to antibiotics use (p-value: 0.029). Conclusion: the overall level of knowledge among the studied subjects was found to be on the lower side. Females tend to have a better attitude towards the use of antibiotics as compared to males. Higher education groups utilized more antibiotics without prescription as compared to lower education groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]