Alcoholic beverages have a strong toxic effect on human cells, and drinking alcoholic beverages immediately after receiving antibiotic treatment is harmful to human health.The extent of the drug's effects on internal organs and the nervous system depends on the pharmaceutical class of the antimicrobial agent.These medicines can cure diseases that wiped out entire cities centuries ago, and now everyone has access to them.If you need to drink vodka or beer after taking antibiotics, you first need to know whether there are any adverse reactions.
what are antibiotics
Antibiotics are synthetic or semi-synthetic substances of microbial origin that help inhibit the growth and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms or cause their death.In 1928, scientists first made the most important discovery in the history of medicine.He found that common mold that appears on bread inhibits the growth of dangerous bacteria.Penicillin was the first antibiotic.
These substances only affect infections and diseases caused by bacteria and are not effective against viruses.Antibiotics are used as medicines that inhibit the growth and development of dangerous microorganisms without damaging the healthy cells of larger organisms.They are produced in the form of tablets, capsules, syrups and solutions for intramuscular and intravenous administration.
During World War II, a female scientist discovered the existence of penicillin in 1942.This fact became a breakthrough in military medicine that year.On the battlefield, a large number of soldiers were wounded in battle and subsequently died of septic complications.The discovery of antibiotics saved many lives and led to their rapid return to the military.
Can I drink alcohol after taking antibiotics?
Every expert can confidently say that quitting alcohol will help avoid various complications.The disease weakens a person's immune system, and alcohol after a course of antibiotics can have harmful effects on internal organs.Doctors recommend not drinking alcohol earlier than 3-5 days after the last dose. If it is a long-acting drug, the abstinence period should be extended to 3-4 weeks.
Antibiotics are not compatible with alcohol
There are a large number of antibacterial agents that cannot be combined with any alcohol.Such drugs include:
- There is a high risk of disulfiram-like reactions with nitroimidazole drugs (drink alcohol after two days).
- Fluoroquinolones, when combined with alcohol, can depress the nervous system to the point of coma.Alcohol is not allowed until 36 hours later.
- Cephalosporins can produce a disulfiram-like reaction when interacting with ethanol; alcohol can be consumed after 24 hours (longer interval if you have kidney disease).
- Tetracyclines damage liver cells (are hepatotoxic) and are eliminated from the body over a long period of time; do not drink alcohol earlier than 3 days later.
- Aminoglycosides are ototoxic and nephrotoxic and can increase the side effects of the drug; alcohol should not be consumed earlier than two weeks later.
- Lincosamide drugs affect the central nervous system and liver, causing a disulfiram reaction. Drinking alcohol is not allowed until 4 days later.
- Macrolides can cause cirrhosis, especially erythromycin.It is eliminated from the body very slowly, assuming alcoholic beverages are consumed only after 4 days.
- Anti-tuberculosis drugs can cause drug-induced hepatitis with a fulminant course; any alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited.
How long are antibiotics effective after I stop taking them?
Scientists claim that the active ingredients of antibiotics remain in the body for at least 3 days.Some drugs have long-acting effects; they are only worn off after 2-3 weeks.Consulting your doctor may help prevent side effects.Before starting to drink alcohol after taking antibiotics, be sure to pay attention to the following parameters:
- duration of drug treatment;
- Compatibility with ethanol;
- The amount of time you are allowed to drink after taking the last dose of medication.
What happens if you mix it with alcohol?
Drinking alcohol while taking antibiotics may have serious and irreversible consequences.Major negative reactions to the combination include:
- Increase resistance to pathogenic microorganisms.Antimicrobial drugs are used to destroy pathogenic microorganisms in the human body.Alcohol weakens the effect of these drugs, at which time bacteria adapt and adapt to the active substances, increasing resistance to this group of antibiotics.
- The disease changes from an acute to a chronic form.Alcohol can accelerate the metabolism of active substances, while drugs are broken down faster and have no time to act on the source of inflammation.For this, doctors prescribe double doses of antibiotics, the burden on the body increases, and the disease takes longer and is more difficult to treat.
- When alcohol and antibiotics are mixed, blood viscosity increases, which can lead to stroke or myocardial infarction, as well as problems with heart and blood vessel function.
- Decreased drug concentrations due to consumption of alcoholic beverages.At the same time, doctors increase the dosage of antibacterial drugs. With such a load, the liver and kidneys are overworked.Acute failure of these organs may occur.
- Liver dysfunction.Ethanol and antibiotics are broken down by the same liver enzymes.Under this influence, the production of these substances may completely cease, leading to severe intoxication and suppression of organ function.
- Risk of serious allergic reaction.The human body may respond inadequately to such complex effects.Anaphylactic shock, or fatal Quinck's edema, is an irreversible result of the interaction between alcohol and antibiotics.
- Particularly dangerous is the disulfiram-like reaction, which occurs due to the accumulation of acetaldehyde (an intermediate metabolite of ethanol) in tissues and organs; it has a strong nootropic effect on the central nervous system.Its elimination is disrupted, and against this background, severe poisoning occurs, accompanied by: nausea, vomiting, palpitations, sweating, fever, drop in blood pressure, abdominal pain, dizziness and convulsions.
When can I drink alcohol after taking antibiotics?
There are many antibacterial medications that can be taken with alcohol.Well, that doesn’t mean you can wash down every pill with a shot of vodka.If possible, it is best to stop drinking alcohol altogether.Medications that are compatible with ethanol include:
- Penicillin (has broad range of actions).
- Antifungal antibiotics.
- Glycopeptides.
- Ansamycin.
- Heliomycin (for the treatment of diseases of the ear, nose and throat organs and infectious dermatitis).
Even if simultaneous use of this combination is allowed, it should not be forgotten about the possible individual reactions of the body, which can cause serious harm to health.It is recommended to start drinking alcohol at least 3 days after the last dose of antibiotics.To avoid adverse reactions, you need to consult a specialist.
Admission rules
Taking antibiotics correctly will help heal the disease faster without the risk of adverse reactions.Basic rules:
- Take medications only as prescribed by your doctor (self-medication is harmful to your health);
- Be sure to adhere to the exact dosage and timing of taking antibiotics;
- The duration of drug treatment will be determined by your doctor.The average is 5 to 15 days, with long-acting medications being 1 to 4 days;
- You need to take the tablets with clean, non-carbonated water, chamomile decoction, or hot tea without sugar;
- During treatment with antibiotics, it is best to avoid eating high-fat foods, which slow down the absorption of active substances from the intestines into the blood.Be sure to consume animal protein such as chicken, rabbit or turkey.Limit intake of fast carbohydrates;
- Absolute contraindications: Alcohol consumption less than 3 days after antibiotic administration.