When prescribing an antibacterial drug, the doctor informs the patient that it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol with antibiotics. Most people try to adhere to this recommendation, but if the course of treatment coincides with significant events or holidays, it is tempting to break the ban.
The attitude of evidence-based medicine to this situation is controversial, because not a single full-fledged study has been carried out, the results of which would allow to fully assess the negative consequences of the simultaneous use of alcohol and antibacterial drugs. This does not mean that you can combine them with peace of mind, no sane doctor will recommend this. To understand how dangerous it is to drink alcohol during a course of antibiotic therapy, the article describes the consequences of the combined effects of these substances on the body, examples of a combination of known drugs and alcohol-containing drinks are given.
The effect of alcohol and antibiotics on the body
Holidays in our country are traditionally celebrated with the use of spirits. Many people are unable to deny themselves this pleasure even during illness, forgetting that alcohol in small doses has a relaxing and calming effect, and in large doses it leads to serious health problems. Among them:
- Dysfunction of the liver.
- Excessive stress on the gastrointestinal tract.
- Increased heart rate.
- The death of brain cells.
- Chronic kidney and bladder diseases.
- Disruption of the nervous system.
- Severe hangover syndrome.
- Depressive state, nervous breakdown.
Drinking alcoholic beverages during illness is definitely not worth it. This will additionally stress the body, which is already working in emergency mode, fighting the disease.
Antibacterial drugs, introduced 90 years ago, quickly became a drug in demand and saved millions of lives. The principle of action of antibiotics is the ability to destroy pathogenic bacteria, destroying their structure; block reproduction, prevent the growth of pathogens, after which the immune system is given a chance to cope with the disease on its own.
Antibacterial drugs act on a person as aggressively as possible, undermining the ability of the immune system to independently fight the disease. Their use is a forced necessity in the case of a bacterial infection, which the body cannot cope with alone. Only a professional doctor has the right to prescribe such medications. It is categorically impossible to be treated on your own, especially with a viral origin of the disease, when antibacterial drugs are useless.
Antibiotics help to avoid the severe consequences of the disease, but taking them leads to a large number of side effects:
- Suppression of the natural microflora of the stomach.
- Suppression of immunity, the body is unable to resist the causative agents of the disease.
- The liver cannot fully cleanse the body of toxins.
A person's well-being worsens, lethargy, weakness appear, depression occurs, chronic diseases are exacerbated.
It is not difficult to imagine what will happen to the unhappy organism when combining the course of antibiotic therapy with violent feasts. The immunity, kidneys, liver and organs of the gastrointestinal tract will have a double burden, which is extremely difficult to cope with. This can lead to a worsening of the current condition, and the disease from the acute phase will go into a chronic one, which is much more difficult to treat.
The effect of alcohol on the effect of antibacterial drugs
Evidence-based medicine does not know of specific examples of the weakening of the effect of antibiotics against the background of the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Sometimes the opposite situation even occurs: the number of enzymes increases, and the breakdown of the drug occurs faster. But another scenario is also possible, when the drug is poorly excreted from the body, accumulates in the cells and as a result, an adverse reaction occurs.
There are two curious theories that explain why the incompatibility between antibiotics and alcohol is considered a scientific fact. The first says that antibacterial drugs were originally used to treat sexually transmitted infections. Doctors considered the presence of such diseases a sign of intemperance and weakness of character, and the ban on drinking alcohol became a kind of punishment.
The second theory emerged during World War II, when wounded soldiers were in need of penicillin. There was so little medicine that, according to legend, doctors tried to extract it from urine. The problem was that the soldiers in their free time liked to drink beer, which has a diuretic effect and reduces the concentration of microorganisms. Therefore, alcoholic beverages were banned, and in medicine, the postulate that alcohol and antibiotics are incompatible was gradually entrenched.
There are a number of reasons for this statement. Doctors note that in patients who drank alcohol at the same time as antibacterial drugs, recovery was much slower than in those who led a sober lifestyle. The reason lies in the fact that the intake of alcohol with antibiotics is fraught with other negative consequences associated with the deterioration of the immune system. With the regular use of alcoholic beverages, it is impossible to establish the correct daily regimen with proper rest and diet. At the same time, vitamins, minerals and nutrients cannot be fully absorbed and the body is gradually depleted. As a result, the patient's medication will be ineffective.
Compatibility of alcoholic beverages and antibiotics
Modern antibiotics are gentle. Their combination with alcohol, in most cases, does not have strong negative consequences for the body. Doctors identify a number of drugs that cannot be combined with strong drinks. The rate of their assimilation is associated with the work of the same enzymes that are responsible for the breakdown of ethanol - the basis of alcoholic beverages. Enzymes cannot cope with a huge amount of work, and as a result, the drug accumulates in the body. This carries side effects that a person will soon feel on himself.
The interaction of antibiotics and alcohol leads to a large list of negative consequences:
- Severe migraine-like headaches.
- Nausea, vomiting.
- Dizziness, loss of consciousness.
- Rapid heartbeat, arrhythmia.
- Fever, increased temperature.
- Heavy sweating.
- Insomnia.
- A state close to depression, irritability.
- Weakness, drowsiness, loss of strength.
- Inflammatory processes of the liver, jaundice.
- Stomach pains caused by gastritis and ulcers.
Disulfiram-like reaction
The most common and dangerous negative consequence is a disulfiram-like reaction. This drug, used in the treatment of alcohol addiction, is able to affect the work of enzymes that process ethyl alcohol. Metabolism consists of two stages:
- Ethyl alcohol is broken down to acetaldehyde.
- Acetic aldehyde is converted to acetic acid.
The incompleteness of the second stage leads to the strongest hangover syndrome. For lovers of alcoholic beverages who take the medicine, the process of the timely splitting of ethanol is disrupted, and if a dose of alcohol is added against the background of the intake, the body will overflow with toxic substances. Drinking alcohol in a state of intoxication is not possible, and the patient gets rid of the addiction.
Signs of a disulfiram-like reaction are similar to those of a severe hangover:
- Chills.
- Increased heart rate.
- Nausea, vomiting.
- Convulsions.
- Allergic reactions.
- Headache.
- Respiratory failure.
The latter manifestation of a disulfiram-like reaction is considered life-threatening due to the likelihood of death. When trying to mix antibiotics and an alcoholic drink, the patient should be careful, closely monitor the changes in his condition. The consequences can appear during a feast or 4-5 hours after it. In this situation, you must promptly seek medical help.
The effect of co-administration of antibiotics and alcohol on the functioning of the liver and gastrointestinal tract
The main reason for the ban on the joint intake of antibiotics and alcohol is the threat of toxic liver damage. Her enzymes are unable to simultaneously assimilate the drug and ethanol. In this fight, alcohol usually wins, and the drug accumulates in the liver cells, threatening severe intoxication.
During illness, the liver is engaged in cleansing the body of toxins and poisons, and alcohol increases the load many times over. People who are used to mixing medicines and spirits are more likely to develop fibrotic tissue changes and liver failure.
Drinking alcohol while taking antibiotic therapy can adversely affect the gastrointestinal tract. When ethyl enters the stomach, it provokes congestion and vasodilation, making it easier for the alcohol to be absorbed. If, after a short period of time, an antibacterial drug enters the gastrointestinal tract, the drug will not be fully absorbed and the effect of the treatment will be reduced to zero.
Antibiotics can negatively affect the intestinal microflora. Patients taking these drugs often complain of abdominal pain, stool problems, constipation, or diarrhea. To restore the balance of microflora after a course of antibiotics, prebiotics and probiotics are often prescribed. If you drink alcoholic beverages at this moment, you can earn chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, for example, gastritis or stomach ulcers.
Possibility of an allergic reaction
The composition of alcoholic beverages, in addition to ethyl alcohol, contains additives, dyes, flavorings, preservatives. The end result of their interaction with antibiotics is unpredictable. A potential danger is the occurrence of an allergic reaction in a mild or severe form. At best, itching, redness of the skin, sneezing will appear, and at worst, shortness of breath, Quincke's edema and death. If a person noticed such symptoms, then it is necessary to urgently take an antihistamine, and if there are serious consequences, immediately call an ambulance.
Before taking medications, patients must carefully read the instructions, checking how safe the combination of the active ingredients and ethanol is.
Combination of alcohol with known groups of antibacterial drugs
A disulfiram-like reaction is life-threatening. Based on the studies conducted, scientists have found out which drugs are more likely to cause it, and which are considered relatively safe when combined with alcohol.
Alcohol and nitroimidazoles
Nitroimidazoles are considered broad-spectrum antibiotics and are used in the treatment of the following conditions:
- central nervous system infections (meningitis, brain abscess);
- intestinal infections;
- respiratory diseases (pneumonia, lung abscess);
- oral cavity infections;
- skin diseases of various etymologies;
- prevention of infections during surgery.
Medicines of this group should not be combined with alcohol! Although, everything is not so simple. Studies in 2003 did not reveal the negative effects of drinking hard liquor while using medications. However, doctors are confident that the consequences of combining them can be as follows:
- sharp pain in the abdomen;
- nausea, vomiting;
- severe headaches;
- chills;
- violation of the rhythm of the heart;
- in rare severe cases, respiratory failure develops.
Women should pay attention to the fact that a disulfiram-like reaction is possible not only with oral and injection of the drug, but also with the use of vaginal cream.
Alcohol and cephalosporins
Cephalosporins are a group of broad-spectrum drugs with a strong bactericidal effect. They are considered the main "destroyers" of streptococci and staphylococci and treat the following diseases:
- upper respiratory tract infections;
- diseases of the nose, throat, ears;
- infections of the skin, soft tissues.
Cephalosporins are often prescribed for purulent sore throat - one of the most common infections in our country.
All cephalosporins, just like nitroimidazoles, are capable of causing a disulfiram-like reaction. Its main symptoms: nausea, pain in the head, abdomen, are caused by intoxication of the body. The possibility of a disulfiram-like reaction must be taken seriously, because the consequences can be serious, even fatal.
There are drugs that do not belong to the two groups listed above, that is, their interaction with alcohol does not lead to a disulfiram-like reaction, but also carries negative consequences.
Antibiotics With Which It Is Relatively Safe To Drink Alcohol
A number of antibacterial drugs have been successfully tested for compatibility with alcohol, and their combination is safe for the body.
- Penicillin antibiotics.
- Expectorants and mucolytics, which are prescribed for diseases of the lungs, to thin the viscous phlegm.
- Antifungal drugs.
The above medicines can be taken with alcohol, but this does not mean that they can be safely washed down with strong drinks! The best option for the development of events while taking antibiotics is a complete refusal to drink alcohol.
How to properly combine alcohol and antibiotics - safety precautions
The best option for the development of events when treating a patient with antibiotics is to refuse alcoholic beverages while taking medications. In exceptional cases, when you cannot do without drinking, the following safety rules must be observed:
- Ask your doctor if it is permissible to mix alcohol with medicine and think about the possibility of giving up strong drinks.
- The minimum time interval between taking an antibiotic and drinking alcohol is 4 hours. A shorter period is fraught with great health problems.
- The amount drunk depends on gender, weight, severity of the current disease, strength of the drink, and should not exceed 300-350 ml.
- Ethanol is present not only in strong drinks (vodka, cognac, whiskey), but also in low alcohol drinks (wine, champagne, beer). Even if the alcohol content here is several times less, drinking will not go without harm to health.
In patients undergoing antibiotic therapy, the question arises: how long after the course is it allowed to drink alcoholic beverages? The exact answer can be given by the attending physician, and it depends on several factors: gender, age of the person, the nature of his disease, health, drug. Most drugs have a cumulative effect, continuing to act on the body after the end of the intake. Medical professionals recommend starting drinking alcohol no earlier than 5 days after the end of treatment.
Three rules when taking antibacterial drugs:
- Antibacterial drugs are produced and prescribed in different dosage forms: tablets, syrups, intravenous and intramuscular injections, eye drops, ointments, vaginal suppositories, solutions for inhalation. Any form of the drug can cause adverse reactions.
- Ethanol, which is in the composition of alcoholic beverages, is harmful to human health. It is present not only in cognac, wine and beer, but also in cough syrups, tinctures of medicinal plants (licorice, marshmallow, echinacea, eleutherococcus). It is necessary to study the composition of drugs that are taken simultaneously with antibiotics.
- Carefully read the instructions for the drug to find out how compatible it is with alcohol. If the instructions say that research on this issue has not been carried out or there is no information, you will have to stop drinking alcoholic beverages during the course of treatment.
Antibacterial drugs carry an unnecessary burden on the body and are prescribed in case of serious illnesses. The doctor can only prescribe a certain drug, everything else depends on the patient, who, first of all, must think about a speedy recovery. A sick person needs to take prescribed medications in a timely manner, sleep at least 7-8 hours a day, eat foods with a high content of vitamins and microelements. It is better to forget about taking alcohol during this period. This is especially true for people suffering from chronic diseases of the heart, liver, kidneys. Otherwise, the negative consequences will not force themselves to reap. It can be:
- Failure of the central nervous system and the gradual death of brain cells.
- Intoxication of the body, the symptoms of which are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.
- Kidney damage, problems with the urinary system.
- Violation of the rhythm of the heart.
- Gastritis, stomach ulcers.
- Violation of the intestinal microflora.
- Damage to the liver, leading to the gradual death of cells.
- Decreased immunity, the body will not be able to fight infections on its own.
- Cardiopalmus.
- Blood pressure surges are dangerous for hypertensive patients.
- Stool disturbance in the form of constipation or diarrhea.
- Weakness, drowsiness, loss of strength.
- Depressive state, nervous breakdowns.
- Irritability, insomnia.
- Decrease in intellectual abilities, memory impairment, concentration of attention.
- Fever and chills.
- Severe headaches.
- Convulsions.
- Allergic reactions in the form of itching, rashes and redness of the skin.
- Difficulty breathing and Quincke's edema - without timely medical care, it ends in death.
- The effect of treatment is minimal or absent.
- The disease can become chronic, reducing the patient's quality of life.
Alcohol in small doses will complement the holiday and help to relax. But its use during illness will not bring any pleasure and can harm the body. This is the main thing that a person should remember when deciding for himself whether it is worth mixing alcohol and antibiotics.