Alcoholic beverages are strong poisons for the body's cells, and their consumption immediately after a course of antibiotics is dangerous for human health.The degree of effect of drugs on internal organs and nervous system depends on the pharmaceutical group of antibacterial drugs.These medicines can cure diseases that killed entire cities centuries ago and are now available to everyone.If you need to drink vodka or beer after taking antibiotics, you should first find out about the side effects.
What is an antibiotic?
Antibiotics are substances of microbial, synthetic or semi-synthetic origin that promote the suppression of the growth and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms or their death.A scientist first made the most important discovery in the history of medicine in 1928.He discovered that common mold on bread suppresses the growth of dangerous bacteria.Penicillin was the first antibiotic.
These substances only affect infections and diseases caused by bacteria, they are ineffective against viruses.Antibiotics are used as drugs that suppress the growth and development of dangerous microorganisms, but do not harm the healthy cells of the macroorganism.It is produced in the form of tablets, capsules, syrups and solutions for intramuscular and intravenous administration.
During World War II, in 1942, a woman scientist discovered the existence of penicillin.This fact was a breakthrough in military medicine at the time.In the fields, many soldiers received battle wounds and then died of purulent-septic complications.The discovery of antibiotics saved many lives and helped them quickly return to the ranks of the military.
Can you drink alcohol after taking antibiotics?
All professionals can confidently say that abstaining from alcohol helps 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 that alcohol consumption be stopped no earlier than 3-5 days after the last drug treatment, and if they have a long-lasting effect, then abstinence can 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 drugs include:
- In the case of nitroimidazoles, there is a high risk of developing a disulfiram-like reaction (alcohol consumption is only possible after 2 days).
- Fluoroquinolones combined with alcohol depress the nervous system to the point of coma;alcohol consumption is only allowed after 36 hours.
- Cephalosporins react with ethyl alcohol to give a disulfiram-like reaction;alcohol can be consumed after 24 hours (in case of kidney disease, the interval is longer).
- Tetracyclines damage liver cells (hepatotoxic) and are eliminated from the body for a very long time;alcohol consumption after 3 days at the earliest.
- Aminoglycosides are oto- and nephrotoxic and increase the side effects of drugs;Alcohol should not be taken after 2 weeks at the earliest.
- 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 cleared from the body very slowly, say after consuming alcoholic beverages only after 4 days.
- Anti-tuberculosis drugs cause fulminant drug-induced hepatitis;all 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 prolonged (long-term) effects;they are emptied only after 2-3 weeks.Consulting your doctor can help prevent side effects.Before drinking alcohol after taking antibiotics, it is important to pay attention to the following parameters:
- duration of medication;
- compatibility with ethyl alcohol;
- the time after which alcohol consumption is allowed after taking the last dose.
What happens when you mix it with alcohol?
Drinking alcohol while taking antibiotics can have serious, irreversible consequences.The main negative reactions of this combination are:
- Increasing the resistance of pathogenic microflora.Antibacterial drugs are prescribed to kill pathogenic microorganisms in the human body.Alcohol weakens the effect of these drugs, and then 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 speed up the metabolism of the active substance, while the drug breaks down faster and does not have time to act on the source of inflammation.For this, the doctor prescribes a double dose of antibiotics, the load on the body increases, the disease lasts longer and is more difficult to treat.
- When alcohol and antibiotics are combined, an increase in blood viscosity can lead to the development of a stroke or heart attack, as well as problems with the functioning 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 agents, and under such a load, the liver and kidneys work from 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 completely stop, which leads to severe poisoning and inhibition of organ function.
- Risk of severe allergic reactions.It is possible that the human body does not respond properly to such a complex of effects.Fatal anaphylactic shock or Quincke's edema is an irreversible consequence of the interaction of alcohol and antibiotics.
- Particularly dangerous 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 emptying is interrupted, and this leads to severe poisoning, which is 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 many antibacterial medications that you can take alcohol with.Well, this does not mean that every pill can be washed down with a glass of vodka.If possible, it is better to give up alcohol altogether.Medicines compatible with ethanol include:
- Penicillins (they have a broad spectrum of action).
- Antifungal antibiotics.
- Glycopeptides.
- ansamycins.
- Heliomycin (treats diseases of the ear, nose and throat organs and infectious dermatitis).
Even if this combination is allowed, one should not forget about possible individual reactions of the body, which can cause serious damage to health.It is advisable to start drinking alcohol at least 3 days after taking the last dose of the antibiotic.In order to avoid side effects, you should consult a specialist.
Admission rules
The correct intake of antibiotics helps to cure the disease faster without the risk of side effects.Basic rules:
- take only medicines prescribed by a doctor (self-medication is dangerous to health);
- be sure to follow the exact dose and time of taking the antibiotic;
- The duration of drug treatment is determined by the doctor.On average, this is 5-15 days, and long-acting drugs take 1-4 days;
- Tablets should be taken with clean, non-carbonated water, chamomile decoctions or hot tea without sugar;
- During antibiotic treatment, it is worth avoiding the consumption of fatty foods, which slow down the absorption of the active substance 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.