Alcoholic beverages are a strong poison for the body's 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 extinction of entire cities several centuries ago and are now available to everyone.If you need to drink vodka or beer after taking antibiotics, you first need to know about adverse reactions.
What is an antibiotic
Antibiotics are substances of microbial, synthetic or semi-synthetic origin that help to 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 common 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 are not effective against viruses.Antibiotics are used as medicines, which suppress the growth and development of dangerous microorganisms, but cannot harm the 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 scientist discovered the existence of penicillin in 1942. This fact became a breakthrough in military medicine in those years.In the camps, a large number of soldiers received combat wounds and subsequently died from septic-purulent complications.The discovery of antibiotics saved many lives and contributed to their rapid reintegration into the military ranks.
Is it possible to drink alcohol after antibiotics?
Every expert can confidently say 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 harmful effect on internal organs.Doctors recommend drinking alcohol no earlier than 3-5 days after the last medication, and if they are long-acting, 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, show a reaction similar to disulfiram;alcohol can be ingested after 24 hours (in case of kidney disease the interval is longer).
- Tetracyclines damage liver cells (hepatotoxic) and are excreted from the body for a long time;drink alcohol no earlier than 3 days.
- Aminoglycosides are oto- and nephrotoxic, increasing the side effects of medications;alcohol cannot be consumed before 2 weeks.
- Lincosamides affect the central nervous system and liver, cause disulfiram reaction, alcohol is allowed only after 4 days.
- Macrolides cause liver cirrhosis, especially erythromycin.It is eliminated from the body very slowly, say, drinking alcoholic beverages only after 4 days.
- Antituberculosis 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 medications with prolonged action (long term);they are eliminated only 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 medication;
- 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 and irreversible consequences.The main negative reactions to this combination include:
- Increasing the resistance of pathogenic microflora.Antibacterial medications are prescribed to destroy pathogenic microorganisms in the human body.Alcohol weakens the effect of these medicines, and at this moment 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 takes 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 in the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.
- Decrease in drug concentration due to the consumption of alcoholic beverages.At the same time, the dosage of antibacterial drugs is increased by the doctor, and with this load, the liver and kidneys work to wear out.Acute failure of these organs may occur.
- 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 function.
- Risk of developing serious allergic reactions.The human body can 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;acts as a strong nootropic on the central nervous system.Its elimination is disturbed and, in this context, 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 several antibacterial medications with which you can take alcohol.Now, that doesn't mean you can wash down every pill with a glass of vodka.If possible, it is best to give up alcohol completely.Ethanol-compatible medications include:
- Penicillins (have a broad spectrum of action).
- Antifungal antibiotics.
- Glycopeptides.
- Ansamycins.
- Heliomycin (treats diseases of the ENT organs and infectious dermatitis).
Even if it is allowed to take this combination together, 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, it is necessary to consult a specialist.
Admission rules
Following the correct antibiotic intake 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 your health);
- be sure to follow the exact dosage and time of taking the antibiotic;
- The duration of treatment with the medication will be determined by the doctor.On average, it is 5 to 15 days, and the use of long-acting medications is 1 to 4 days;
- You need to take the tablets with clean still water, chamomile decoctions or hot unsweetened tea;
- During antibiotic treatment, it is preferable to avoid eating fatty foods, which delay the absorption of the active substance from the intestine into the blood.Make sure you 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.