Alcoholic beverages are a strong poison for the cells of the body, 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 killed entire cities a few centuries ago, and are now available to every person.If you have to drink vodka or beer after taking antibiotics, you should first find out about side effects.
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 appears on bread suppresses 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 drugs that suppress the growth and development of dangerous microorganisms, but cannot damage 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 female scientist discovered the existence of penicillin in 1942. This fact became a breakthrough in military medicine in those years.In the field, a large number of soldiers received battle wounds and subsequently died of purulent-septic complications.The discovery of antibiotics saved many lives and contributed to their rapid recovery in the ranks of the military.
Is it possible to drink alcohol after antibiotics?
Any specialist can say with confidence that refusing to drink 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 detrimental effect on internal organs.Doctors recommend drinking alcohol no earlier than 3-5 days after the last drug, 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 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, suppress the nervous system until the development of coma;alcohol is only allowed 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 3 days.
- Aminoglycosides are oto- and nephrotoxic, enhance side effects of drugs;alcohol is allowed to 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 drinking alcoholic beverages after only 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 work 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) 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 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:
- Increases the resistance of the 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.
- The 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 dose of antibacterial drugs is increased by the doctor, and with such a load, the liver and kidneys work to 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 completely, 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 angioedema with a fatal outcome is an irreversible result of the interaction of alcohol with antibiotics.
- Particularly dangerous is the 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 against this background 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 every tablet with a glass of vodka.If possible, it is better to completely give up alcohol.Drugs compatible with ethanol include:
- Penicillins (have a wide spectrum of action).
- Antifungal antibiotics.
- Glycopeptides.
- ansamycins.
- Heliomycin (treats diseases of the ENT organs and infectious dermatitis).
Even if taking this combination is allowed, you should not forget about the 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 side effects, you should consult a specialist.
Admission rules
Adherence to the correct intake of antibiotics will help to cure the disease faster without the risk of side effects.Basic rules:
- take medicines only according to a doctor's prescription (self-medication is dangerous to health);
- do not forget to observe the exact dosage and time of taking the antibiotic;
- The duration of treatment with the drug is determined by the doctor.On average, it is from 5 to 15 days, and taking long-acting drugs is from 1 to 4 days;
- You should take the tablets with pure still water, chamomile decoctions or hot 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 meat.Limit the amount of fast carbohydrates;
- absolute contraindication: alcohol after antibiotics, if less than 3 days have passed.