Alcoholic beverages are a strong poison for the body's cells and their consumption immediately after antibiotic treatment is dangerous for human health.The degree of effect of drugs on internal organs and the nervous system depends on the pharmaceutical group of antibacterial drugs.These medicines can cure diseases that caused the disappearance of entire cities several centuries ago and are now available to all people.If you need to drink vodka or beer after taking antibiotics, you should first know about the adverse reactions.
What is an antibiotic?
Antibiotics are substances of microbial, synthetic or semi-synthetic origin that help suppress the growth and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms or cause their death.For the first time in 1928, a scientist made the most important discovery in the history of medicine.He discovered that common mold that appeared on bread suppressed 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 drugs that inhibit the growth and development of dangerous microorganisms, but cannot harm healthy cells of the macroorganism.They are produced in the form of tablets, capsules, syrups and solutions for intramuscular and intravenous administration.
During World War II, a scientist discovered the existence of penicillin in 1942. This fact represented a great advance in military medicine of those years.In the field, a large number of soldiers received combat wounds and subsequently died from purulent-septic complications.The discovery of antibiotics saved many lives and contributed to their rapid reintegration into the military ranks.
Is it possible to drink alcohol after antibiotics?
Every specialist can say with confidence that abstaining from alcohol will help avoid various complications.The disease can weaken a person's immune system, and alcohol after antibiotic treatment has a detrimental effect on internal organs.Doctors recommend drinking alcohol no earlier than 3 to 5 days after the last medication and, if they are long-acting, abstinence should be extended to 3 to 4 weeks.
Antibiotics incompatible with alcohol.
There are a large number of groups of antibacterial agents that cannot be combined with any alcohol.Such medications include:
- Nitroimidazoles have a high risk of developing a disulfiram-like reaction (drinking alcohol is only possible after 2 days).
- Fluoroquinolones, when combined with alcohol, depress the nervous system up to the development of coma;Alcohol is allowed only after 36 hours.
- Cephalosporins, when interacting with ethyl alcohol, give a reaction similar to disulfiram;Alcohol can be taken after 24 hours (in case of kidney disease, the interval is longer).
- Tetracyclines damage liver cells (hepatotoxic) and are eliminated from the body for a long time;drink alcohol no earlier than 3 days.
- Aminoglycosides are oto- and nephrotoxic and increase the side effects of the drugs;Drinking alcohol is allowed no earlier than 2 weeks.
- Lincosamides affect the central nervous system and liver, cause a disulfiram reaction, alcohol consumption is allowed only after 4 days.
- Macrolides cause liver cirrhosis, especially erythromycin.It is eliminated from the body very slowly, say by drinking alcoholic beverages only after 4 days.
- Antituberculosis drugs provoke the development of drug-induced hepatitis with a fulminant course;any alcohol is strictly prohibited.
How long do antibiotics last after you stop taking them?
Scientists claim that the active ingredients of antibiotics remain in the body for at least 3 days.There are drugs with prolonged action (long term);They are removed only after 2-3 weeks.Consulting with your doctor can help prevent side effects.It is important to pay attention to the following parameters before starting to drink alcohol after taking antibiotics:
- duration of treatment with the drug;
- its compatibility with ethyl alcohol;
- the time after which alcohol is allowed after taking the last dose.
What happens if you mix it with alcohol?
Drinking alcohol while taking antibiotics can have serious and irreversible consequences.The main negative reactions of this combination include:
- Increase the resistance of pathogenic microflora.Antibacterial drugs are prescribed to destroy pathogenic microorganisms in the human body.Alcohol weakens the effect of these drugs, and at this time the bacteria adapt and adapt to the active ingredient, increasing their resistance to this group of antibiotics.
- Transition from the acute to the chronic form of the disease.Alcohol can accelerate the metabolism of the active substance, while the drug breaks down faster and does not have time to act on the source of inflammation.To do this, the doctor prescribes a double dose of antibiotics, the load on the body increases and the disease takes longer and is more difficult to treat.
- An increase in blood viscosity when alcohol and antibiotics are combined can lead to the development of a stroke or myocardial infarction, as well as problems in the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.
- Decreased drug concentration due to the consumption of alcoholic beverages.At the same time, the doctor increases the dose of antibacterial drugs, and with such a load, the liver and kidneys work from wear and tear.Acute failure of these organs may develop.
- Liver dysfunction.Ethyl alcohol and antibiotics are broken down by the same liver enzymes.Under such influence, the production of these substances can completely stop, which will lead to severe intoxication and inhibition of organ function.
- Risk of developing serious allergic reactions.The human body can react inappropriately to such a complex of effects.Anaphylactic shock or Quincke's edema with fatal outcome is an irreversible result of the interaction of alcohol with antibiotics.
- Of particular danger is the disulfiram-like reaction, which occurs due to the accumulation of acetaldehyde (an intermediate metabolite of ethyl alcohol) in tissues and organs;It acts as a strong nootropic on the central nervous system.Its elimination is impaired 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 you drink alcohol after antibiotics?
There are several antibacterial medications with which you can take alcohol.Well, this doesn't mean you can take every pill with a glass of vodka.If possible, it is better to give up alcohol completely.Medications compatible with ethanol include:
- Penicillins (they have a broad spectrum of action).
- Antifungal antibiotics.
- Glycopeptides.
- Ansamycins.
- Heliomycin (treats diseases of the ENT organs and infectious dermatitis).
Even if it is allowed to take this combination together, one should not forget about possible individual reactions of the body that can cause serious harm to health.It is advisable to start drinking alcohol after antibiotics at least 3 days after the last dose taken.To avoid adverse reactions, it is necessary to consult a specialist.
Admission rules
Following the correct intake of antibiotics will help cure the disease faster and without the risk of adverse reactions.Basic rules:
- take medications only as prescribed by a doctor (self-medication is dangerous to health);
- be sure to follow the exact dosage and timing of taking the antibiotic;
- The duration of treatment with the medication will be determined by the doctor.On average, this is 5-15 days, and taking long-acting drugs is 1-4 days;
- You need to take the tablets with clean still water, chamomile decoctions or hot unsweetened tea;
- During antibiotic treatment, it is better to avoid eating fatty foods, which slow down the absorption of the active substance from the intestines into the blood.Make sure you consume animal protein in the form of chicken, rabbit or turkey.Limit the amount of fast carbohydrates;
- Absolute contraindication: alcohol after antibiotics, if less than 3 days have passed.