Are antibiotics and alcohol compatible, in which cases is the risk of this combination justified and when is it exaggerated? We answer this question in our article.
Sometimes antibiotics are necessary. They are prescribed for a variety of ailments, and often occur completely "at the wrong time": on the eve of a long-awaited holiday or, for example, a corporate holiday.
Being in such a situation, some get upset at the festive table, categorically refusing even a glass of wine or a sip of beer, others decide to stop the flow of antibiotics, being absolutely sure that they do much less harm to the bodyof Me With
Let’s make a reservation right away: skipping one or two doses of a drug can negate the effectiveness of treatment, in addition, improper intake of an antibiotic will make the pathogen more resistant to its effects and thus only worsenthe problem. To defeat the "hardened" bacteria from these experiments, you will need to increase the dose or prescribe a stronger medicine.
And what will happen if you drink a glass of wine or a little beer against the background of antibacterial treatment? Most likely nothing. According to British scientists, quoted by the Russian Air Force Service, alcohol in no way affects the action of the most widely used antibiotics. They are neutral in relation to each other, which means that the unpleasant "side effects" from such a combination should not be expected, of course, if the issue is limited to just one glass of wine and we are not talking about some medicineswhich should not be mixed with alcohol in any quantity.
To understand all the risks associated with the simultaneous administration of any medication, including antibiotics, with alcohol, you should carefully read the instructions and make sure that this point is not in it.
Which antibiotics are better not to combine with alcohol
It is not worth risking and consuming alcohol during treatment with antibiotics, which belong to this class, as a number of studies confirm that ethanol weakens their effect.
It is also important to consider the fact that metronidazole and tinidazole substances enter into a chemical reaction with alcohol and increase its toxic effect on the liver. The data on this result, however, are quite contradictory, however, is it worth the risk?
Some members of the cephalosporin group slow down the breakdown of ethanol, thus provoking a disulfiram reaction. These drugs block enzymes that help break down acetaldehyde, which eventually accumulates in the body and provokes headaches, nausea, tachycardia, shortness of breath, convulsions and other unpleasant symptoms.
A similar reaction, according to some reports, may also be provoked by some bacteriostatic antibiotics, which, however, have not been used as often in recent times. The combination of alcohol and antifungal agents is dangerous.
Alcohol and some antibiotics can not only negate all therapy, but also harm
Long-term use of antibiotics and alcohol
At the same time, it is important to understand that with prolonged use, many antibiotics, including erythromycin, rifampicin, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, nitrofurans, and lincomycin, accumulate in high concentrations in the bile and, over time, can lead toToxic liver damage As the main detoxifying organ, it itself suffers mainly from the side effects of medications. And although phenomena such as cholestatic hepatitis and even fatty infiltration of liver cells are usually temporary, it is still not worth adding extreme to this important organ, which will have to work with a double load if it isnecessary to metabolize both drugs and alcohol.
Avoiding alcohol is the best option for most medications.
Another argument for avoiding alcohol during antibiotic treatment is the ability of ethanol to cause dehydration and slow down the overall healing process.
Which antibiotics have not yet been combined
However, the issue is not limited to giving up alcohol while taking antibiotics. An important role is played by those other medicines that a person takes and even what to drink with the medicines taken.
Thus, for example, a glass of drunk milk along with an antibiotic pill or a piece of curd eaten may negate all the benefits of the medicine. Penicillins and tetracyclines, which form stable calcium chelate complexes, are the worst combined with dairy products. But it is quite acceptable to drink erythromycin with milk.
Antibiotics are not combined with tea, coffee, lemonade, fruit and fruit juices, as well as dishes containing vinegar.
You should take the antibiotic strictly according to the instructions at regular intervals. If the issue is not limited to taking a medicine, it is important to make sure that the medicines do not conflict with each other. A qualified doctor, of course, will not prescribe incompatible medication, but he may not even know that you are currently being treated by another specialist and are taking the pills prescribed by him.
Thus, for example, cholestyramine substances and enterosorbent preparations taken concomitantly with antibiotics reduce the absorption of the latter. Taking erythromycin with oral contraceptives can lead to intrahepatic cholestasis, and some antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
The combination of cephalosporins with thrombolytics is dangerous because of the risk of bleeding, and macrolides and fluoroquinolones may increase the toxic effect of theophylline.
The combination of alcohol and a variety of medications can be fatal
Which drugs are dangerous to combine with alcohol
Do not combine pain relievers, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, antihypertensives, antipsychotics, diuretics, antipyretics, cardiovascular drugs, anticoagulants, pain relievers, antihistamines and oral sleeping pills, and contraceptives. In each case, the side effects will be different, and sometimes quite dangerous.
Finally, we note: in order to avoid problems with antibiotics, read the instructions carefully. And, of course, you do not have to make the decision to take antibiotics yourself. Your doctor should prescribe them. Self-medication is fraught with serious health problems.