Are antibiotics and alcohol compatible, in which cases is the danger of this combination justified, and when is it exaggerated? We answer this question in our article.
Sometimes antibiotics are essential. They are prescribed for a variety of diseases, and often it happens completely "at the wrong time" - on the eve of a long-awaited celebration or, for example, a corporate party.
Finding themselves in such a situation, some get bored at the festive table, categorically refusing even a glass of wine or a sip of beer, others decide to interrupt the course of antibiotics, being absolutely sure that they do much less harm to their own body. .
Let's make a reservation immediately: skipping a dose or two of a drug can nullify the effectiveness of the treatment, in addition, irregular intake of an antibiotic will make the pathogen more resistant to its effects and therefore only aggravate the problem. To defeat the bacteria "hardened" by these experiments, you will have to increase the dose or prescribe a stronger drug.
And what will happen if you drink a glass of wine or some beer in the context of an antibacterial treatment? Probably nothing. According to British scientists, cited by the Russian Air Force Service, alcohol does not in any way affect the action of the most commonly used antibiotics. They are neutral to each other, which means that unpleasant "side effects" should not be expected from such a combination, of course, if the matter is limited to a single glass of wine and we are not talking about some drugs that should not be mixed with alcohol in any amount.
To understand all the risks associated with the simultaneous administration of any medication, including antibiotics, with alcohol, you should read the instructions carefully and make sure that this very point is not included.
What antibiotics are better not to combine with alcohol?
It is not worth taking the risk and consuming alcohol during treatment with antibiotics, which belong to this class, since several studies confirm that ethanol weakens its effect.
It is also important to take into account the fact that the substances metronidazole and tinidazole enter into a chemical reaction with alcohol and increase its toxic effect on the liver. However, the data on this score is quite conflicting, however, is it worth the risk?
Some members of the cephalosporin group slow the breakdown of ethanol, thus causing a disulfiram reaction. These drugs block the enzymes that help break down acetaldehyde, which eventually builds up in the body and causes headaches, nausea, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, seizures, and other unpleasant symptoms.
A similar reaction, according to some reports, can also be triggered by some bacteriostatic antibiotics, which, however, have not been used as often lately. The combination of alcohol and antifungal agents is dangerous.
Alcohol and some antibiotics can not only nullify all therapy, but also harm
Long-term use of antibiotics and alcohol.
At the same time, it is important to understand that with prolonged use, many antibiotics, such as erythromycin, rifampin, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, nitrofurans, and lincomycin, accumulate in high concentrations in the bile and, over time, can lead to toxic liver damage. . As the main detoxification organ, it suffers mainly from the side effects of drugs. And although phenomena such as cholestatic hepatitis and even fatty infiltration of liver cells are usually temporary, it is still not worth adding extremes to this important organ, which will have to work with a double load if it is necessary to metabolize both drugs and alcohol.
Avoiding alcohol is the best option for most drugs.
Another argument for avoiding alcohol during antibiotic treatment is ethanol's ability to cause dehydration and slow down the overall healing process.
What antibiotics are not yet combined with
However, the issue is not limited to giving up alcohol while taking antibiotics. An important role is played by the other medications a person takes and even what to drink with the medication taken.
So, for example, a glass of milk drunk along with an antibiotic pill or a piece of ingested curd casserole can negate all the benefits of the drug. Penicillins and tetracyclines, which form stable chelate complexes with calcium, are the worst combined with dairy products. But it is quite acceptable to drink erythromycin with milk.
Antibiotics are not combined with tea, coffee, lemonade, fruits and fruit juices, as well as with dishes that contain vinegar.
You must take the antibiotic strictly according to the instructions at regular intervals. If the matter is not limited to taking one medication, it is important to ensure that the medications do not conflict with each other. A qualified doctor, of course, will not prescribe incompatible drugs, but he may not even know that he is currently receiving treatment from another specialist and taking the pills prescribed by him.
So, for example, the substance cholestyramine and enterosorbent preparations taken simultaneously with antibiotics reduce the absorption of the latter. Taking erythromycin with oral contraceptives can cause intrahepatic cholestasis and some antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
It is dangerous to combine cephalosporins with thrombolytics due to the risk of bleeding, and macrolides and fluoroquinolones can potentiate the toxic effect of theophylline.
The combination of alcohol and various drugs can be fatal.
What drugs are dangerous to combine with alcohol?
Do not combine pain relievers, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, antihypertensives, antipsychotics, diuretics, antipyretics, cardiovascular drugs, blood thinners, pain relievers, antihistamines and sleeping pills and oral contraceptives with alcohol. In each case, the undesirable side effects will be different and sometimes quite dangerous.
Finally, we note: so that there are no problems with antibiotics, carefully read the instructions. And, of course, you shouldn't make the decision to take antibiotics yourself. Your doctor should prescribe them. Self-medication is fraught with serious health problems.