Are antibiotics and alcohol compatible, in which cases is the danger of this combination justified, and when is it exaggerated? We answer this question in our article.
Sometimes antibiotics are necessary. They are prescribed for a variety of ailments, and often this happens completely "at the wrong time": on the eve of a long-awaited celebration or, for example, a corporate party.
Being 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 stop the flow of antibiotics, completely sure that they are doing much less damage to their own body.
Let's make a reservation now: skipping one or two doses of the drug can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment, in addition, improper intake of antibiotics will make the pathogen more resistant to its effects and thus only worsen the problem. To defeat the bacteria "hardened" by these experiments, you will need to increase the dose or prescribe a stronger medication.
And what happens if you drink a glass of wine or a little beer on the background of an antibacterial treatment? Probably nothing. According to British scientists, quoted by the Russian aviation service, alcohol does not in any way affect the action of the most commonly used antibiotics. They are neutral to each other, which means you should not expect unpleasant "side effects" from such a combination, 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 concomitant use of any medication, including antibiotics, with alcohol, read the instructions carefully and make sure that point is not in it.
Which antibiotics are best not to combine with alcohol
It is not worth risking and consuming alcohol during treatment with antibiotics, which belong to this class, because numerous 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 assessment, however, are quite contradictory, however, is it worth the risk?
Some members of the cephalosporin group slow down the breakdown of ethanol, causing a disulfiram reaction. These drugs block enzymes that help break down acetaldehyde, which eventually builds up in the body and causes headaches, nausea, tachycardia, shortness of breath, convulsions, and other unpleasant symptoms.
A similar reaction, according to some reports, can be caused by some bacteriostatic antibiotics, which, however, have not been used as often lately. The combination of alcohol and antifungals is dangerous.
Alcohol and some antibiotics can not only negate the whole therapy, but also harm it
Long-term use of antibiotics and alcohol
At the same time, it is important to understand that long-term use of many antibiotics, including erythromycin, rifampicin, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, nitrofurans, and lincomycin, accumulates in high concentrations in bile and can lead to toxic liver damage over time. As the main detoxifying organ, it primarily suffers from drug side effects. And although phenomena such as cholestatic hepatitis and even fatty infiltration of liver cells are usually temporary, it is not worth adding extreme importance to this important organ, which will have to work with a double load if both drugs and alcohol need to be metabolized.
Avoiding alcohol is the best option for most medications.
Another argument for avoiding alcohol during antibiotic treatment is the ability of ethanol to cause dehydration and slow down the overall healing process.
With which antibiotics are not yet combined
However, the matter is not limited to giving up alcohol while taking antibiotics. Other medications that a person takes also play an important role, as well as what to take with the medications they take.
Thus, for example, a glass of milk that is drunk together with an antibiotic tablet or a piece of eaten pan can take away all the benefits of the drug. Penicillins and tetracyclines, which form stable chelate complexes with calcium, are the worst in combination with dairy products. But it is quite acceptable to drink erythromycin with milk.
Antibiotics are not combined with tea, coffee, lemonade, fruit and fruit juices, as well as dishes containing vinegar.
You must take the antibiotic strictly according to the instructions at regular intervals. If the matter is not limited to taking one medication, it is important to make sure that the medications do not conflict with each other. A qualified doctor, of course, will not prescribe incompatible medications, but he may not even know that you are currently being treated by another specialist and that you are taking the pills he has prescribed.
Thus, for example, the substance cholestyramine and enterosorbent preparations taken concomitantly with antibiotics reduce the absorption of the latter. Taking erythromycin with oral contraceptives can lead to intrahepatic cholestasis, and some antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
It is dangerous to combine cephalosporins with thrombolytics due to the risk of bleeding, and macrolides and fluoroquinolones may potentiate the toxic effect of theophylline.
The combination of alcohol and a number of medications can be fatal
Which drugs are dangerous to combine with alcohol
Do not combine pain relievers, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, antihypertensives, antipsychotics, diuretics, antipyretics, cardiovascular drugs, anticoagulants, painkillers, antihistamines and sleeping pills, and oral contraceptives. In any case, the side effects will be different and sometimes quite dangerous.
Finally, please note: to avoid problems with antibiotics, read the instructions carefully. And, of course, you shouldn’t make the decision to take antibiotics on your own. Your doctor should prescribe them. Self-medication is fraught with serious health problems.