Alcoholic beverages are a powerful poison for body cells, and their consumption immediately after antibiotic treatment is dangerous for human health.The degree of impact 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 centuries ago and are now available to everyone.If you have to drink vodka or beer after taking antibiotics, you should first find out about the side effects.
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 ordinary mold appearing on bread suppressed the growth of dangerous bacteria.Penicillin was the first antibiotic.
These substances only work on infections and diseases caused by bacteria and are not effective against viruses.Antibiotics are used as drugs that suppress 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 female scientist discovered the existence of penicillin in 1942. This fact was a major breakthrough in military medicine of those years.In the field, a large number of soldiers received combat wounds and subsequently died from purulent and septic complications.The discovery of antibiotics saved many lives and contributed to their rapid reintegration into 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 a course of antibiotics has a detrimental effect on internal organs.Doctors recommend drinking alcohol no earlier than 3-5 days after the last medication, and if they have a prolonged action, abstinence should be extended to 3-4 weeks.
Antibiotics incompatible with alcohol
There are a large number of groups of antibacterial agents that cannot be combined with any alcohol.These medications include:
- Nitroimidazoles have a high risk of developing a disulfiram-like reaction (alcohol consumption is possible only after 2 days).
- Fluoroquinolones, when combined with alcohol, depress the nervous system until coma develops;alcohol is only allowed after 36 hours.
- Cephalosporins, when interacting with ethyl alcohol, cause a reaction similar to that of 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 very long time;drink alcohol no earlier than after 3 days.
- Aminoglycosides are ototoxic and nephrotoxic, increasing drug side effects;alcohol consumption is allowed no earlier than after 2 weeks.
- Lincosamides affect the central nervous system and liver, cause a reaction to disulfiram, alcohol 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.
- Anti-tuberculosis drugs cause the development of drug-induced hepatitis with a fulminant course;all alcohol is strictly prohibited.
How long do antibiotics last after you stop taking them?
Scientists say that the active ingredients of antibiotics remain in the body for at least 3 days.There are long-acting (long-term) medications;they are only eliminated after 2-3 weeks.Consulting 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 lead to serious, irreversible consequences.The main negative reactions from 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 substance, increasing their resistance to this group of antibiotics.
- Transition from acute to 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 lasts longer and is more difficult to treat.
- An increase in blood viscosity when combining alcohol and antibiotics can lead to the development of a stroke or myocardial infarction, as well as problems with the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.
- Decreased drug concentration due to 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 to wear out.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 functioning.
- Risk of developing serious allergic reactions.The human body may react inadequately to such a set of effects.Anaphylactic shock or angioedema with fatal outcome 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 (an intermediate metabolite of ethyl alcohol) in tissues and organs;it acts as a powerful nootropic on the central nervous system.Its elimination is disrupted and, in this context, serious 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 a number of antibacterial drugs with which you can take alcohol.Well, that doesn't mean you can drink each tablet with a glass of vodka.If possible, it is better to give up alcohol altogether.Drugs compatible with ethanol include:
- Penicillins (have a wide spectrum of action).
- Antifungal antibiotics.
- Glycopeptides.
- Ansamycins.
- Heliomycin (treats diseases of the ENT organs and infectious dermatitis).
Even if taking this combination is authorized, we must not forget about possible individual reactions of the body, which can seriously harm health.It is advisable to start drinking alcohol after taking antibiotics at least 3 days after the last dose taken.To avoid unwanted effects, you should consult a specialist.
Admission Rules
Following the correct intake of antibiotics will help cure the disease more quickly without the risk of adverse effects.Basic rules:
- take medication only as prescribed by a doctor (self-medication is dangerous for your health);
- make sure you follow the exact dosage and time of taking the antibiotic;
- The duration of treatment with the drug will be determined by the doctor.On average, this lasts from 5 to 15 days, and taking long-acting drugs lasts from 1 to 4 days;
- You need to take the tablets with clean non-carbonated water, chamomile decoctions or hot tea without sugar;
- During treatment with antibiotics, it is best to avoid eating fatty foods, which slow down the absorption of the active substance from the intestines into the blood.Be sure to 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.