Alcoholic drinks are a strong poison for the body's cells, and their consumption immediately after a course of antibiotic treatment is dangerous to 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 entire cities to die out several centuries ago, and now they are available to every person.If you need to drink vodka or beer after taking antibiotics, you first need to find out about 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 ordinary 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 they are not effective against viruses.Antibiotics are used as medicines, which 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 woman scientist discovered the existence of Penicillin in 1942.This fact became a breakthrough in military medicine of those years.In the fields, 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 reinstatement into the ranks of the military.
Is it possible to drink alcohol after antibiotics?
Every specialist can say with confidence that abstaining from drinking 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 are long-acting, then 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.Such drugs include:
- Nitroimidazoles have a high risk of developing a disulfiram-like reaction (drinking alcohol is possible only after 2 days).
- Fluoroquinolones, when combined with alcohol, depress the nervous system until the development of coma; alcohol is allowed only after 36 hours.
- Cephalosporins, when interacting with ethyl alcohol, give a disulfiram-like reaction; alcohol can be taken after 24 hours (in case of kidney disease, the interval is longer).
- Tetracyclines damage liver cells (hepatotoxic) and are removed from the body for a very long time; drinking alcohol no earlier than after 3 days.
- Aminoglycosides are oto- and nephrotoxic, increasing the side effects of drugs; alcohol is allowed to be taken no earlier than after 2 weeks.
- Lincosamides affect the central nervous system and liver, cause a disulfiram reaction, alcohol is allowed only after 4 days.
- Macrolides cause cirrhosis of the liver, especially Erythromycin.It is eliminated from the body very slowly, let’s say drinking alcoholic beverages only after 4 days.
- Anti-tuberculosis drugs cause 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 (long-term) action; they are eliminated only after 2-3 weeks.Consulting with your doctor may help prevent side effects.It is important to pay attention to the following parameters before you start drinking 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 of this combination include:
- Increasing 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 speed up 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 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 in the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.
- Decreased drug concentration due to consumption of alcoholic beverages.At the same time, the dosage of antibacterial drugs is increased by the doctor, and with such a load, the liver and kidneys work for 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 may stop altogether, which will lead to severe intoxication and inhibition of organ function.
- Risk of developing severe allergic reactions.The human body may react inadequately to such a complex of effects.Anaphylactic shock or Quincke's edema with a 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 disrupted and, against the background of this, severe intoxication 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 that you can take alcohol with.Well, this does not mean that you can wash down 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 broad spectrum of action).
- Antifungal antibiotics.
- Glycopeptides.
- Ansamycins.
- Heliomycin (treats diseases of the ENT organs and infectious dermatitis).
Even if taking this combination together is allowed, one should not forget about possible individual reactions of the body, which 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, you need to consult a specialist.
Admission rules
Following the correct intake of antibiotics will help cure the disease faster 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 time of taking the antibiotic;
- The duration of treatment with the drug will be determined by the doctor.On average, this is from 5 to 15 days, and taking long-acting drugs is 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 better 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.