Alcoholic beverages are strong poisons to the body's cells, and consuming them immediately after a course of antibiotics is very dangerous for human health.The degree of impact of the drug on internal organs and the nervous system depends on the pharmaceutical group of the antibacterial drug.These medicines can cure diseases that caused entire cities to die a few centuries ago, and now they are available to everyone.If you need to drink vodka or beer after taking antibiotics, you first need to learn about side effects.
What are antibiotics?
Antibiotics are substances of microbial origin, synthetic or semi-synthetic, that help prevent the growth and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms or cause them to die.For the first time in 1928, a scientist made the most important discovery in the history of medicine.He discovered that the mold that normally occurs on bread prevented the growth of dangerous bacteria.Penicillin was the first antibiotic.
These substances are only effective against infections and diseases caused by bacteria, not against viruses.Antibiotics are used as medicines, which prevent the growth and development of dangerous microorganisms but cannot harm healthy cells of macroscopic organisms.They are produced in the form of tablets, capsules, syrups and solutions for intramuscular and intravenous injection.
During World War II, a female scientist discovered the existence of Penicillin in 1942. This fact became a breakthrough in military medicine in those years.In the fields, a large number of soldiers were injured in battle and later died from complications of purulent infection.The discovery of antibiotics saved many lives and contributed to their quick rehabilitation in the army.
Can I drink alcohol after taking antibiotics?
Every expert 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 a course of antibiotics has a detrimental effect on internal organs.Doctors advise drinking alcohol no earlier than 3-5 days after the last drug, and if they have a prolonged effect, then the period of abstinence from alcohol should be extended to 3-4 weeks.
Antibiotics are not compatible with alcohol
There are a large number of groups of antibacterial substances that cannot be combined with any alcohol.These drugs include:
- Nitroimidazole has a high risk of developing disulfiram-like reactions (alcohol can only be taken after 2 days).
- Fluoroquinolones when combined with alcohol will weaken the nervous system until coma;alcohol is only allowed after 36 hours.
- Cephalosporin when interacting with ethyl alcohol will create a disulfiram-like reaction;alcohol can be drunk after 24 hours (in case of kidney disease, the period is longer).
- Tetracyclines cause liver cell damage (hepatotoxic) and are eliminated from the body over a very long period of time;Drink alcohol no earlier than after 3 days.
- Aminoglycosides are toxic to the ears and kidneys, increasing side effects of the drug;Alcohol is allowed to drink no earlier than after 2 weeks.
- Lincosamide affects the central nervous system and liver, causing disulfiram reactions, alcohol is only allowed after 4 days.
- Macrolides cause cirrhosis, especially Erythromycin.It is eliminated from the body very slowly, assuming only drinking alcoholic beverages after 4 days.
- Antituberculosis drugs cause the development of drug-induced hepatitis with a flare;Any type of alcohol is strictly prohibited.
How long do antibiotics last after stopping use?
Scientists confirm that the active ingredients of antibiotics last in the body for at least 3 days.There are drugs that have a prolonged (long-lasting) effect;they are eliminated after only 2-3 weeks.Consulting with your doctor can help prevent side effects.It is important to pay attention to the following parameters before you start drinking alcohol after taking antibiotics:
- duration of drug treatment;
- 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 lead to serious, irreversible consequences.The main negative reactions of this combination include:
- Increases the resistance of pathogenic microorganisms.Antibacterial drugs are prescribed to destroy pathogenic microorganisms in the human body.Alcohol weakens the effect of these drugs, at this time bacteria adapt and adapt to the active substance, increasing resistance to this group of antibiotics.
- Transition from acute to chronic form of the disease.Alcohol can accelerate the metabolism of the active substance, and the drug breaks down faster and does not have time to act on the source of inflammation.To do this, doctors prescribe antibiotics twice as much, the burden on the body increases, the disease lasts longer and is more difficult to treat.
- An increase in blood viscosity when combining alcohol and antibiotics can lead to the development of stroke or myocardial infarction, as well as problems with the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.
- Drug concentrations decrease due to consumption of alcoholic beverages.At the same time, the doctor increases the dosage of antibacterial drugs. With such a load, the liver and kidneys will wear out.Acute weakening of these organs may develop.
- Liver dysfunction.Ethyl alcohol and antibiotics are both broken down by the same liver enzymes.Under such influence, the production of these substances can completely stop, leading to severe intoxication and inhibition of the function of organs.
- Risk of developing serious allergic reactions.The human body may react inadequately to such complex effects.Anaphylactic shock or fatal Quincke's edema is an irreversible result of the interaction of alcohol with antibiotics.
- Particularly dangerous is the disulfiram-like reaction, which occurs due to the accumulation of acetaldehyde (intermediate metabolite of ethyl alcohol) in tissues and organs;It acts as a powerful nootropic on the central nervous system.Its elimination is interrupted and, as a result, severe intoxication occurs, accompanied by: nausea, vomiting, palpitations, sweating, fever, hypotension, abdominal pain, dizziness and convulsions.
When can you drink alcohol after taking antibiotics?
There are some antibacterial medications that you can take with alcohol.Well, this does not mean that you can wash down each pill with a glass of vodka.If possible, it is better to give up alcohol completely.Drugs compatible with ethanol include:
- Penicillin (wide spectrum of action).
- Antifungal antibiotics.
- Glycopeptides.
- Ansamycin.
- Heliomycin (treatment of diseases of the ENT organs and infectious dermatitis).
Even if it is allowed to use this combination together, one should not forget about possible individual reactions of the body, which can cause serious harm to health.You should start drinking alcohol after taking antibiotics at least 3 days after the last dose.To avoid adverse reactions, you need to consult a specialist.
Admission regulations
Taking antibiotics properly will help you recover faster without the risk of side effects.Basic rules:
- Only use medication as prescribed by your doctor (self-medication is very dangerous for your health);
- ensure accurate adherence to antibiotic dosage and duration;
- The duration of drug treatment will be decided by your doctor.The average is from 5 to 15 days, using long-acting drugs is from 1 to 4 days;
- You need to take the medicine with clean, non-carbonated water, chamomile decoction or unsweetened hot tea;
- During antibiotic treatment, it is better to avoid eating fatty foods because it slows down the absorption of active substances from the intestines into the blood.Be sure to consume animal protein in the form of chicken, rabbit or turkey.Limit your intake of fast carbohydrates;
- Absolute contraindications: drinking alcohol after taking antibiotics, if less than 3 days.