Alcoholic drinks are a strong poison for the body's cells and consuming them immediately after antibiotic treatment is dangerous to health.The degree of effect of drugs on internal organs and the nervous system depends on the pharmaceutical group of antibacterial drugs.These drugs can cure diseases that led to the extinction of entire cities several centuries ago and are now available to everyone.If you need to drink vodka or beer after taking antibiotics, you must 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.In 1928, a scientist made the most important discovery in the history of medicine for the first time.He discovered that common mold on bread suppressed the growth of dangerous bacteria.Penicillin was the first antibiotic.
These substances only work against infections and diseases caused by bacteria and are not effective against viruses.Antibiotics are used as medicines, which 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.
In 1942, during World War II, a scientist discovered the existence of penicillin.This fact became a breakthrough in military medicine at that time.In the fields, numerous soldiers suffered battle wounds and subsequently died of purulent-septic complications.The discovery of antibiotics saved many lives and contributed to their rapid reintegration into the military ranks.
Can you drink alcohol after antibiotics?
Any professional can say with confidence that giving up alcohol will help 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 use of the medication.If the effect is long-lasting, abstinence should be extended to 3-4 weeks.
Antibiotics incompatible with alcohol
There are a variety of antibacterial drug groups that cannot be combined with alcohol.These medications include:
- With nitroimidazoles there is 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 a coma develops;Alcohol is only allowed after 36 hours.
- Cephalosporins, when interacting with ethyl alcohol, cause a disulfiram-like reaction;Alcohol can be taken after 24 hours (the interval is longer for kidney disease).
- Tetracyclines damage liver cells (hepatotoxic) and are excreted 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 may only be taken after 2 weeks at the earliest.
- Lincosamides act on 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 excreted from the body very slowly, for example only after 4 days in the case of alcoholic drinks.
- Anti-tuberculosis drugs cause the development of drug-induced hepatitis with a fulminant course;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 three days.There are medications with longer (long-term) effects;they are only eliminated after 2-3 weeks.Consulting with 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 have serious, irreversible consequences.The main negative reactions to this combination include:
- Increasing 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 to the active ingredient, thereby increasing their resistance to this group of antibiotics.
- Transition from the acute to the chronic form of the disease.Alcohol can accelerate the metabolism of the active ingredient, while the drug is broken 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, the disease lasts 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 dysfunction of the heart and blood vessels.
- Decreased drug concentration due to consumption of alcoholic beverages.At the same time, the dosage of antibacterial drugs is increased by the doctor, and with such a load, the liver and kidneys work for wear and tear.Acute failure of these organs can occur.
- 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, leading to severe poisoning and inhibition of organ function.
- There is a risk of severe allergic reactions.The human body can only react inadequately to such a complex of effects.Anaphylactic shock or Quincke's edema with a fatal outcome is an irreversible consequence of the interaction of alcohol with 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;It acts as a powerful nootropic on the central nervous system.Its excretion 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 medications you can take with alcohol.Now, that doesn't mean you can wash down every pill with a glass of vodka.If possible, it is better to avoid alcohol altogether.Medications compatible with ethanol include:
- Penicillins (have a broad spectrum of action).
- Antifungal antibiotics.
- Glycopeptides.
- Ansamycins.
- Heliomycin (used to treat diseases of the ENT organs and infectious dermatitis).
Even if taking this combination together is allowed, one should not forget about possible individual reactions of the body that can lead to serious damage to health.After taking antibiotics, it is recommended to start drinking alcohol at least 3 days after the last dose taken.To avoid side effects, you must consult a specialist.
Admission requirements
Taking antibiotics correctly will help cure the disease faster without the risk of side effects.Basic rules:
- Only take medications as prescribed by a doctor (self-medication is dangerous to your health);
- Be sure to adhere to the exact dosage and timing of taking the antibiotic.
- The duration of treatment with the medicine is determined by the doctor.On average this is 5 to 15 days, or 1 to 4 days when taking long-acting medications;
- You must take the tablets with clean, still water, chamomile decoction or hot tea without sugar;
- During treatment with antibiotics, it is better to avoid eating fatty foods, as these 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.