Alcoholic beverages are a strong poison for body cells, and their consumption immediately after antibiotic treatment is dangerous for human health.The degree of influence 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 a few centuries ago, and are now available to every human.If you need to drink vodka or beer after taking antibiotics, you must first inform yourself 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 the common mold that appeared on the bread suppresses the growth of dangerous bacteria.Penicillin was the first antibiotic.
These substances only work on infections and diseases caused by bacteria, and are not effective against viruses.Antibiotics are used as drugs, which suppress the growth and development of dangerous microorganisms, but cannot damage healthy cells of macroorganisms.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 in those years.In the fields, a large number of soldiers received battle wounds and then died of purulent-septic complications.The discovery of antibiotics saved many lives and contributed to their rapid return to the ranks of the army.
Is it possible to drink alcohol after antibiotics?
Any expert can say with confidence that abstaining from drinking alcohol will help to 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 drug, and if they are long-lasting, 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 medicines include:
- Nitroimidazoles have a high risk of developing a disulfiram-like reaction (alcohol consumption is possible only after 2 days).
- Fluoroquinolones, in combination with alcohol, depress the nervous system until the development of coma;alcohol is allowed only after 36 hours.
- Cephalosporins, when they interact with ethyl alcohol, give a reaction similar to disulfiram;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;alcohol consumption no earlier than 3 days.
- Aminoglycosides are oto- and nephrotoxic, increasing side effects of drugs;alcohol is allowed to be taken after 2 weeks at the earliest.
- Lincosamides affect the central nervous system and liver, cause a disulfiram reaction, alcohol is allowed only after 4 days.
- Macrolides cause liver cirrhosis, especially erythromycin.It is eliminated from the body very slowly, for example by 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 extended (long-term) action;they are eliminated only after 2-3 weeks.Consultation with your doctor can help prevent side effects.It is important to pay attention to the following parameters before you start drinking alcohol after taking antibiotics:
- duration of drug treatment;
- 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:
- It increases 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 that 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 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 burden on the body increases, and the disease is treated longer and more difficult.
- 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 work of the heart and blood vessels.
- Decreased drug concentration due to consumption of alcoholic beverages.At the same time, the doctor increases the dose of antibacterial drugs, and with such a load, the liver and kidneys work worn out.Acute failure of these organs can develop.
- 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 severe 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.
- A special danger is a reaction similar to disulfiram, 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 on 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, that doesn't mean you can wash down every pill with a glass of vodka.If possible, it is better to completely give up alcohol.Medicines compatible with ethanol include:
- Penicillins (have a wide spectrum of action).
- Antifungal antibiotics.
- Glycopeptides.
- Ansamycins.
- Heliomycin (treats ENT diseases and infectious dermatitis).
Even if taking this combination together is allowed, we should not forget about possible individual reactions of the body, which can seriously harm health.It is recommended to start drinking alcohol after antibiotics at least 3 days after the last dose taken.To avoid unwanted reactions, it is necessary to consult a specialist.
Admission rules
Taking antibiotics correctly will help cure the disease faster without the risk of adverse reactions.Basic rules:
- take medicines only according to the doctor's recommendation (self-medication is dangerous to health);
- be sure to adhere to the exact dose and time of taking antibiotics;
- The duration of drug treatment will be determined by the doctor.On average, it is from 5 to 15 days, and taking long-acting drugs is from 1 to 4 days;
- Tablets should be taken with clean still water, chamomile decoctions or warm tea without sugar;
- During antibiotic treatment, 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.