When prescribing antibacterial drugs, the doctor informs the patient that it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol with antibiotics. Most people try to follow this advice, but if the course of treatment coincides with significant events or holidays, it is tempting to break the ban.
The attitude of evidence-based medicine to this situation is controversial, as no full-fledged study has been conducted to fully assess the adverse effects of concomitant use of alcohol and antibacterial drugs. This does not mean that you can easily combine them, no sane doctor would recommend it. To understand how dangerous it is to drink alcohol during a course of antibiotic therapy, the article describes the results of the combined effects of these substances on the body, gives examples of combinations of known drugs and alcoholic beverages.
Effects of alcohol and antibiotics on the body
Holidays in our country are traditionally celebrated with the use of alcohol. Many people forget that alcohol in small doses has a calming and calming effect, and in large doses can cause serious health problems, and even during illness, they can not give up this pleasure. Among them:
- Impaired liver function.
- Excessive stress on the gastrointestinal tract.
- Increased heart rate.
- Brain cell death.
- Chronic kidney and bladder diseases.
- Disorders of the nervous system.
- Severe hangover syndrome.
- Depression, nervous breakdown.
It is not worth drinking alcohol during the illness. This will put additional stress on the body, which is already working in an emergency mode and fighting the disease.
Introduced 90 years ago, antibacterial drugs quickly became the required drug and saved the lives of millions of people. The principle of action of antibiotics is the ability to destroy pathogenic bacteria, to destroy their structure; blocks reproduction, inhibits the growth of pathogens, after which the immune system is given a chance to cope with the disease on its own.
Antibacterial drugs affect a person as aggressively as possible, disrupting the immune system's ability to fight the disease independently. Their use is mandatory in case of bacterial infection, which the body can not cope with on its own. Only a professional doctor has the right to prescribe such drugs. When antibacterial drugs are useless, it is impossible to treat the disease independently, especially if the disease is of viral origin.
Antibiotics help prevent the serious consequences of the disease, but their use causes a number of side effects:
- Suppression of the natural microflora of the stomach.
- Suppression of immunity, the body can not resist the pathogens.
- The liver is not able to completely cleanse the body of toxins.
A person's well-being deteriorates, lethargy, weakness appear, depression develops, and chronic diseases worsen.
It is not difficult to imagine what will happen to the unfortunate organism when combining a course of antibiotic therapy with severe holidays. The immune system, kidneys, liver and organs of the gastrointestinal tract will have a double burden, which is very difficult to cope with. This can lead to a worsening of the current condition, and the disease will progress from an acute stage to a chronic one, making treatment more difficult.
Effects of alcohol on antibacterial drugs
Evidence-based medicine does not know specific examples of the weakening of antibiotics against the background of alcohol use. Sometimes the opposite happens: the number of enzymes increases and the breakdown of the drug occurs faster. However, another scenario is possible, when the drug is poorly excreted from the body, it accumulates in the cells, resulting in an adverse reaction.
There are two interesting theories that explain the incompatibility between antibiotics and alcohol as a scientific fact. First, it says that antibacterial drugs were first used to treat sexually transmitted infections. Doctors considered the presence of such diseases as a sign of impatience and weakness of character, and the ban on alcohol became a kind of punishment.
The second theory emerged during World War II, when wounded soldiers needed penicillin. The medicine was so scarce that, according to legend, doctors tried to remove it from the urine. The problem was that in their spare time, soldiers liked to drink beer, which has a diuretic effect and reduces the concentration of microorganisms. Therefore, alcohol was banned and the postulate of incompatibility of alcohol and antibiotics in medicine was gradually strengthened.
There are a number of reasons for this statement. Doctors note that recovery in patients who drank alcohol at the same time as antibacterial drugs was much slower than in those who led a sober lifestyle. The reason is that alcohol intake with antibiotics is fraught with other negative consequences associated with the deterioration of the immune system. With regular consumption of alcohol, it is impossible to establish a proper daily routine with proper rest and diet. At the same time, vitamins, minerals and nutrients are not fully absorbed and the body gradually depletes them. As a result, the patient's medication will be ineffective.
Compatibility of alcohol and antibiotics
Modern antibiotics are mild. Their combination with alcohol, in most cases, does not give strong negative consequences for the body. Doctors prescribe a number of drugs that can not be combined with strong drinks. Their degree of assimilation is associated with the work of the same enzymes responsible for the breakdown of ethanol, the basis of alcoholic beverages. Enzymes are unable to cope with large amounts of work, and as a result, the drug accumulates in the body. This has side effects that will soon be felt.
The interaction of antibiotics and alcohol leads to a long list of negative consequences:
- Severe migraine-like headaches.
- Nausea, vomiting.
- Dizziness, loss of consciousness.
- Rapid heartbeat, arrhythmia.
- Fever, fever.
- Heavy sweating.
- Insomnia.
- A situation close to depression, nervousness.
- Weakness, drowsiness, loss of strength.
- Inflammatory processes of the liver, jaundice.
- Stomach pain caused by gastritis and ulcers.
Disulfiram-like reaction
The most common and dangerous side effect is a disulfiram-like reaction. Used in the treatment of alcoholism, this drug can affect the activity of enzymes that process ethyl alcohol. Metabolism consists of two stages:
- Ethyl alcohol decomposes in acetaldehyde.
- Vinegar aldehyde is converted to acetic acid.
The incompleteness of the second stage leads to the strongest hangover syndrome. For those who love alcohol, the process of timely decomposition of ethanol is disrupted, and if a dose of alcohol is added to the background of the intake, the body will be filled with toxic substances. It is impossible to drink alcohol while intoxicated, and the patient recovers from addiction.
The symptoms of a disulfira-like reaction are similar to those of a severe hangover:
- I have a cold.
- Increased heart rate.
- Nausea, vomiting.
- Convulsions.
- Allergic reactions.
- Headache.
- Respiratory failure.
The latter manifestation of a disulfiram-like reaction is considered life-threatening due to the possibility of death. When trying to mix antibiotics and alcohol, the patient should be careful and closely monitor changes in his condition. The results can be seen during the holiday or 4-5 hours after it. In this case, seek medical attention immediately.
The effect of combined antibiotics and alcohol on the activity of the liver and gastrointestinal tract
The main reason for the ban on the combined use of antibiotics and alcohol is the risk of toxic liver damage. Its enzymes cannot absorb the drug and ethanol at the same time. In this fight, alcohol usually wins, and the drug accumulates in the liver cells and poses a risk of severe intoxication.
During the disease, the liver cleanses the body of toxins and poisons, and alcohol increases the load many times. People accustomed to mixing drugs and alcohol are more likely to develop fibrotic tissue changes and liver failure.
Drinking alcohol during antibiotic therapy can adversely affect the gastrointestinal tract. When ethyl enters the stomach, it stimulates constipation and vasodilation, facilitates the absorption of alcohol. If the antibacterial drug enters the gastrointestinal tract after a short time, the drug will not be fully absorbed and the effect of treatment will be reduced to zero.
Antibiotics can adversely affect the intestinal microflora. Patients taking these medications often complain of abdominal pain, stool problems, constipation, or diarrhea. Prebiotics and probiotics are often prescribed to restore the balance of the microflora after a course of antibiotics. If you drink alcohol at this time, you can get chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastritis or gastric ulcer.
Probability of an allergic reaction
Alcoholic beverages contain additives, dyes, flavors, preservatives in addition to ethyl alcohol. The end result of their interaction with antibiotics is unpredictable. A potential danger is a mild or severe allergic reaction. At best, itching, redness, sneezing, and at worst, shortness of breath, Quincke's edema, and death will be seen. If a person sees such symptoms, you should take antihistamines immediately and call an ambulance immediately if there are serious consequences.
Before taking the drug, patients should read the instructions carefully and check how safe the combination of active ingredients and ethanol is.
Combination of alcohol with known antibacterial drug groups
A disulfiram-like reaction is life-threatening. Based on research, scientists have identified which drugs are more likely to cause it, and which are considered relatively safe when combined with alcohol.
Alcohol and nitroimidazoles
Nitroimidazoles are broad-spectrum antibiotics and are used to treat the following conditions:
- infections of the central nervous system (meningitis, brain abscess);
- intestinal infections;
- respiratory diseases (pneumonia, lung abscess);
- infections of the oral cavity;
- skin diseases of various etymologies;
- prevention of infections during surgery.
Medicines of this group should not be combined with alcohol! Although not everything is so simple. Studies conducted in 2003 did not reveal any adverse effects of heavy drinking while taking medication. However, doctors are convinced that the results of their combination can be as follows:
- severe pain in the abdomen;
- nausea, vomiting;
- severe headaches;
- chills;
- cardiac arrhythmias;
- Rarely, severe respiratory failure develops.
Women should be aware that a disulfiram-like reaction is possible not only with oral and injection medications, but also with the use of a vaginal cream.
Alcohol and cephalosporins
Cephalosporins are a broad-spectrum group of drugs with strong bactericidal effects. They are considered the main "destroyers" of streptococci and staphylococci and treat the following diseases:
- upper respiratory tract infections;
- diseases of the nose, throat, ears;
- infections of the skin, soft tissues.
Cephalosporins are often prescribed for purulent sore throat - one of the most common infections in our country.
All cephalosporins, like nitroimidazoles, can cause a disulfiram-like reaction. Its main symptoms are: nausea, headache, abdominal pain, intoxication of the body. The possibility of a disulfiram-like reaction should be taken seriously, as the consequences can be serious and even fatal.
There are drugs that do not belong to the two groups listed above, ie their interaction with alcohol does not cause a disulfiram-like reaction, but also causes adverse effects.
Antibiotics that are relatively safe to drink alcohol
A number of antibacterial drugs have been successfully tested for compatibility with alcohol, and their combination is safe for the body.
- Penicillin antibiotics.
- Expectorants and mucolytics prescribed for lung diseases, for the thinning of viscous sputum.
- Antifungal medications.
The above medications can be taken with alcohol, but this does not mean that they can be safely washed down with strong drinks! The best option for the development of events when taking antibiotics is to completely abstain from alcohol.
How to properly combine alcohol and antibiotics - safety precautions
When treating a patient with antibiotics, the best option for the development of events is to abstain from alcohol while taking medication. In exceptional cases, if you cannot do without drinking, the following safety rules must be followed:
- Ask your doctor if alcohol is allowed to be mixed with medication, and think about the possibility of avoiding strong drinks.
- The minimum time interval between taking antibiotics and drinking alcohol is 4 hours. A shorter period is fraught with major health problems.
- The amount of alcohol depends on gender, weight, severity of the disease, the strength of the drink and should not exceed 300-350 ml.
- Ethanol is found not only in strong drinks (vodka, cognac, whiskey), but also in low-alcohol drinks (wine, champagne, beer). Even if the amount of alcohol here is several times less, drinking will not be harmless to health.
The question arises in patients undergoing antibiotic therapy: how long after the course is alcohol allowed? The exact answer can be given by the attending physician, and it depends on several factors: sex, age of the person, the nature of the disease, health, medication. Most drugs have a cumulative effect, continuing to affect the body after taking it. Medical experts recommend starting drinking alcohol no later than 5 days after the end of treatment.
Three rules when taking antibacterial drugs:
- Antibacterial drugs are produced and prescribed in various dosage forms: tablets, syrups, intravenous and intramuscular injections, eye drops, ointments, vaginal suppositories, solutions for inhalation. Any form of the drug can cause adverse reactions.
- Ethanol in alcohol is harmful to human health. Not only in cognac, wine and beer, but also in cough syrups, tinctures of medicinal plants (licorice, marshmallow, exinecea, eleutherococcus). It is necessary to study the composition of drugs taken simultaneously with antibiotics.
- Read its instructions carefully to find out how compatible the drug is with alcohol. If the instructions say that there is no research on this issue or no information, you will have to give up alcohol during treatment.
Antibacterial drugs carry an unnecessary burden on the body and are prescribed for serious illnesses. The doctor can only prescribe a certain drug, everything else depends on the patient, first of all, he must think about a speedy recovery. The patient should take the prescribed medication on time, sleep at least 7-8 hours a day, eat foods rich in vitamins and trace elements. It is better to forget to drink alcohol during this period. This is especially true for people suffering from chronic diseases of the heart, liver and kidneys. Otherwise, the negative consequences will not force them to reap. Can be:
- Central nervous system failure and gradual death of brain cells.
- Intoxication of the body, symptoms are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.
- Kidney damage, problems with the urinary system.
- Cardiac arrhythmias.
- Gastritis, gastric ulcer.
- Disorders of the intestinal microflora.
- Damage to the liver causes the gradual death of cells.
- Immunity is reduced, the body will not be able to fight infections alone.
- Cardiopalmus.
- Elevated blood pressure is dangerous for hypertensive patients.
- Disorders of the stool in the form of constipation or diarrhea.
- Weakness, drowsiness, loss of strength.
- Depression, nervous breakdowns.
- Irritation, insomnia.
- Decreased intellectual abilities, memory impairment, concentration.
- Fever and shivering.
- Severe headaches.
- Convulsions.
- Allergic reactions in the form of itching, rash and redness of the skin.
- Difficulty breathing and Quincke's edema - without timely medical care, it ends in death.
- The effect of treatment is minimal or absent.
- The disease can be chronic, reducing the patient's quality of life.
Alcohol in small doses will complete the holiday and help to relax. However, its use during illness will not give any pleasure and can harm the body. This is the main thing a person should keep in mind when deciding whether it is worth mixing alcohol and antibiotics.