Alcoholic drinks are a strong poison for body cells, and their consumption immediately after a course of antibiotic treatment is dangerous for human health.The degree of effect 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 death of entire cities several centuries ago and are now available to every person.If you need to drink vodka or beer after taking antibiotics, you should first 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 the normal 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 that 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, in 1942, a scientist discovered the existence of penicillin.This fact represented a turning point in military medicine of those years.In the camps, large numbers of soldiers received combat wounds and subsequently died from purulent septic complications.The discovery of antibiotics saved many lives and contributed to their rapid reintegration into the ranks of the armed forces.
Is it possible to drink alcohol after antibiotics?
Every specialist 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 drug, and if they have a prolonged action, abstinence should be extended to 3-4 weeks.
Antibiotics incompatible with alcohol
There are numerous groups of antibacterial agents that cannot be combined with any alcohol.Such drugs include:
- Nitroimidazoles have a high risk of developing a reaction similar to disulfiram (it is possible to drink alcohol 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, 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;drink alcohol no earlier than 3 days.
- Aminoglycosides are oto- and nephrotoxic, increasing side effects of drugs;alcohol can be taken no earlier than 2 weeks.
- Lincosamides affect the central nervous system and liver, cause a reaction to disulfiram, alcohol is allowed only after 4 days.
- Macrolides cause liver cirrhosis, especially erythromycin.It is eliminated from the body very slowly, say by drinking alcoholic beverages only after 4 days.
- Antituberculous 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 them?
Scientists say 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 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 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:
- Increase 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 ingredient, 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 ingredient, while the drug decomposes 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.
- Decreased concentration of the drug due to consumption of alcoholic beverages.At the same time, the doctor increases the dosage of antibacterial drugs, and with such a load, the liver and kidneys work through 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 can stop altogether, 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 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 interrupted 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 a number of antibacterial drugs with which you can take alcohol.Well, that doesn't mean you can wash down every tablet with a glass of vodka.If possible, it is better to give up alcohol altogether.Ethanol-compatible medications include:
- Penicillins (have a broad spectrum of action).
- Antifungal antibiotics.
- Glycopeptides.
- Ansamycins.
- Eliomycin (treats diseases of the ENT organs and infectious dermatitis).
Even if joint intake of this combination is allowed, one should not forget about possible individual reactions of the body, which can cause serious harm to health.It is recommended 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 the doctor (self-medication is dangerous for your 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 your doctor.On average, this is from 5 to 15 days, and taking long-acting drugs is from 1 to 4 days;
- It is necessary to take tablets with clean non-carbonated water, chamomile decoctions or warm tea without sugar;
- During treatment with antibiotics it is best to avoid eating fatty foods, which slow down the absorption of the active ingredient from the intestine 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.