Are antibiotics and alcohol compatible, in which cases the danger of this combination is 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 right away: skipping one or two doses of a drug can negate the effectiveness of treatment, besides, irregular intake of an antibiotic will make the pathogen more resistant to its effects and thereby 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 a little beer against the background of antibacterial treatment? Most likely nothing. According to British scientists, quoted by the Russian Air Force Service, alcohol does not in any way affect the action of most commonly used antibiotics. They are neutral in relation to each other, which means that unpleasant "side effects" from such a combination should not be expected, of course, if the matter is limited to just one glass of wine and we are not talking about some drugs that should not be mixed with alcohol in any quantity.
To understand all the risks associated with the simultaneous administration of any medications, including antibiotics, with alcohol, you should carefully read the instructions and make sure that this very point is not in it.
What antibiotics are best not to combine with alcohol
It is not worth taking the risk and drinking alcohol during treatment with antibiotics, which belong to this class, as a number of studies confirm that ethanol weakens their 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 enhance its toxic effect on the liver. The data on this score, however, are rather contradictory, however, is it worth the risk?
Some members of the cephalosporin group slow down the breakdown of ethanol, thereby provoking a disulfiram reaction. These drugs block enzymes that help break down acetaldehyde, which eventually accumulates in the body and provokes headaches, nausea, tachycardia, shortness of breath, convulsions and other unpleasant symptoms.
A similar reaction, according to some reports, can also be provoked by some bacteriostatic antibiotics, which, however, have not been used so often lately. The combination of alcohol and antifungal agents is dangerous.
Alcohol and some antibiotics can not only negate the entire 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, including erythromycin, rifampicin, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, nitrofurans, and lincomycin, accumulate in high concentrations in the bile and, over time, can lead to toxic liver damage. As the main detoxifying organ, it itself suffers from the side effects of drugs in the first place. And although such phenomena as cholestatic hepatitis and even fatty infiltration of liver cells are usually temporary, it is still not worth adding extreme 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 the overall healing process.
What antibiotics are not yet combined with
However, the matter is not limited to just giving up alcohol while taking antibiotics. An important role is played by what other medications a person takes and even what to drink with the taken medication.
So, for example, a glass of milk drunk with an antibiotic pill or a piece of curd casserole eaten can negate all the benefits of the drug. Penicillins and tetracyclines are combined worst of all with dairy products, which form stable chelate complexes with calcium. 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 dishes that contain vinegar.
You need to take the antibiotic strictly according to the instructions at regular intervals. If the matter is not limited to taking one drug, it is important to make sure that the drugs do not conflict with each other. A qualified doctor, of course, will not prescribe incompatible drugs, but he may not even know that you are currently undergoing treatment with another specialist and are taking their prescribed pills.
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 lead to intrahepatic cholestasis, and some antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
It is dangerous to combine cephalosporins with thrombolytics because of the risk of bleeding, and macrolides and fluoroquinolones can enhance the toxic effect of theophylline.
The combination of alcohol and a number of 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, anticoagulants, 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 drink antibiotics yourself. Your doctor should prescribe them. Self-medication is fraught with serious health problems.