Antibiotics and alcohol

When prescribing an antibacterial drug, the doctor informs the patient that it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol with antibiotics. Most people try to stick to this recommendation, but if the course of treatment coincides with important events or holidays, it is tempting to break the ban.

The attitude of evidence-based medicine towards this situation is debatable, because no single complete study has been conducted, the results of which would allow full assessment of the negative consequences of concomitant use of alcohol and antibacterial drugs. This does not mean that you can combine them calmly, no reasonable doctor will recommend this. To understand how dangerous it is to drink alcohol during a course of antibiotic therapy, the article describes the effects of the combined effects of these substances on the body, giving examples of a combination of known drugs and beverages containing alcohol.

The effect of alcohol and antibiotics on the body

Holidays in our country are traditionally celebrated with the use of spirits. Many people are not able to deny themselves this pleasure even during illness, forgetting that alcohol in small doses has a relaxing and calming effect and in large doses brings serious health problems. Among them:

• Liver dysfunction.
• Excessive stress in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Increased heart rate.
• Brain cell death.
• Chronic kidney and bladder diseases.
• Nervous system disorder.
• Severe hangover syndrome.
• Depressive state, nervous breakdown.

Drinking alcohol during the illness is definitely not worth it. This will also stress the body, which is already working in an emergency state, fighting the disease.

Antibacterial drugs, introduced 90 years ago, quickly became a drug in demand and saved millions of lives. The principle of action of antibiotics is the ability to destroy pathogenic bacteria, destroying their structure; block reproduction, prevent the growth of pathogens, after which the immune system is given a chance to cope with the disease itself.

Antibacterial drugs act on a person as aggressively as possible, undermining the ability of the immune system to fight the disease independently. Their use is a must in the case of a bacterial infection, which the body can not cope alone. Only a professional doctor has the right to prescribe such medicines. It is categorically impossible to treat on its own, especially with the viral origin of the disease, when antibacterial drugs are useless.

Antibiotics help to avoid the serious consequences of the disease, but taking them leads to a large number of side effects:

• Suppression of the natural microflora of the stomach.
• Suppression of immunity, the body is unable to resist the causative agents of the disease.
• The liver cannot completely cleanse the body of toxins.

A person's well-being deteriorates, lethargy, weakness appear, depression appears, chronic diseases worsen.

It is not difficult to imagine what will happen to the dissatisfied organism when the course of antibiotic therapy is combined with violent holidays. The immune system, kidneys, liver and organs of the gastrointestinal tract will have a double load, which is extremely difficult to cope with. This can lead to a worsening of the current condition and the disease from the acute phase will progress to a chronic one, which is much more difficult to treat.

The effect of alcohol on the effect of antibacterial drugs

Evidence-based medicine does not recognize specific examples of weakening the effect of antibiotics in the background of alcohol consumption. Sometimes the opposite situation also occurs: the number of enzymes increases and the breakdown of the drug occurs faster. But another scenario is also possible, when the drug is poorly excreted from the body, accumulates in the cells and as a result, a negative reaction occurs.

There are two curious theories that explain why the incompatibility between antibiotics and alcohol is considered a scientific fact. The first states that antibacterial drugs were originally used to treat sexually transmitted infections. Doctors regarded the presence of diseases such as a sign of incontinence and weakness of character, and the prohibition of drinking alcohol became a kind of punishment.

The second theory emerged during World War II, when wounded soldiers needed penicillin. The medicine had so little that, according to legend, doctors tried to remove it from the urine. The problem was that soldiers in their spare time liked to drink beer, which has a diuretic effect and reduces the concentration of microorganisms. Therefore, alcoholic beverages were banned, and in medicine, the postulate that alcohol and antibiotics are incompatible was gradually eradicated.

There are a number of reasons for this statement. Doctors note that in patients who drank alcohol at the same time as antibacterial drugs, recovery was much slower than in those who led a sober lifestyle. The reason lies in the fact that taking alcohol with antibiotics is fraught with other negative consequences related to the deterioration of the immune system. With regular use of alcoholic beverages, it is impossible to establish the proper daily regimen with proper rest and diet. At the same time, vitamins, minerals and nutrients can not be fully absorbed and the body gradually becomes depleted. As a result, the patient's treatment will be ineffective.

Compatibility of alcoholic beverages and antibiotics

Modern antibiotics are mild. Their combination with alcohol, in most cases, has no strong negative consequences for the organism. Doctors identify a range of medications that can not be combined with strong drinks. The degree of their assimilation is associated with the work of the same enzymes that are responsible for the breakdown of ethanol - the basis of alcoholic beverages. Enzymes can not withstand a large amount of work, and as a result, the drug accumulates in the body. This carries side effects that a person will soon feel over himself.

The interaction of antibiotics and alcohol leads to a large list of negative consequences:

• Severe migraine-like headaches.
• Nausea, vomiting.
• Dizziness, loss of consciousness.
• Rapid heartbeat, arrhythmia.
• Fever, fever.
• Excessive sweating.
• Insomnia.
• A condition 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. This drug, used in the treatment of alcohol dependence, is able to affect the work of enzymes that process ethyl alcohol. Metabolism consists of two stages:

1. Ethyl alcohol is decomposed into acetaldehyde.
2. Acetic aldehyde is converted to acetic acid.

Failure to complete the second stage leads to the strongest hangover syndrome. For lovers of alcoholic beverages taking the drug, the process of timely separation of ethanol is interrupted and if a dose of alcohol is added to the background of intake, the body will be overflowing with toxic substances. Drinking alcohol in a state of intoxication is not possible, and the patient escapes from addiction.

Signs of a disulfiram-like reaction are similar to those of a severe hangover:

• Chills.
• Increased heart rate.
• Nausea, vomiting.
• Convulsions.
• Allergic reactions.
• Headache.
• Respiratory failure.

The latest manifestation of a disulfiram-like reaction is considered life-threatening due to the possibility of death. When trying to mix antibiotics and an alcoholic beverage, the patient should be careful, closely monitor changes in his condition. The consequences can appear during a holiday or 4-5 hours after it. In this situation, you should seek medical help immediately.

The effect of concomitant administration of antibiotics and alcohol on the functioning of the liver and gastrointestinal tract

The main reason for stopping the joint intake of antibiotics and alcohol is the threat of toxic liver damage. Its enzymes are not able to assimilate the drug and ethanol at the same time. In this fight, alcohol usually wins, and the drug accumulates in the liver cells, threatening severe intoxication.

During illness, the liver is engaged in cleansing the body of toxins and poisons, and alcohol increases the load many times over. People who are accustomed to mixing drugs and alcoholic beverages are more likely to develop fibrotic tissue changes and liver failure.

Drinking alcohol while taking antibiotic therapy can adversely affect the gastrointestinal tract. When ethyl enters the stomach, it provokes congestion and vasodilation, making it easier to absorb alcohol. If, after a short period of time, an antibacterial drug enters the gastrointestinal tract, the drug will not be fully absorbed and the effect of the treatment will be reduced to zero.

Antibiotics can adversely affect the intestinal microflora. Patients taking these medications often complain of abdominal pain, bowel problems, constipation or diarrhea. Prebiotics and probiotics are often prescribed to restore the microflora balance after a course of antibiotics. If you drink alcohol at the moment, you can get chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, for example, gastritis or stomach ulcers.

The possibility of an allergic reaction

The composition of alcoholic beverages, in addition to ethyl alcohol, contains additives, dyes, flavorings, preservatives. The end result of their interaction with antibiotics is unpredictable. A potential risk is the occurrence of an allergic reaction in a mild or severe form. At best, itching, redness of the skin, sneezing will occur, and at worst, shortness of breath, edema, and Quincke's death. If a person has noticed such symptoms, then it is necessary to urgently take an antihistamine, and if there are severe consequences, call an ambulance immediately.

Before taking the medication, patients should carefully read the instructions, checking how safe the combination of active ingredients and ethanol is.

Combination of alcohol with known groups of antibacterial drugs

A disulfiram-like reaction is life threatening. Based on studies conducted, scientists have discovered which drugs are most likely to cause it and which are considered relatively safe when combined with alcohol.

Alcohol and nitroimidazoles

Nitroimidazoles are considered broad-spectrum antibiotics and are used to treat the following conditions:

• central nervous system infections (meningitis, brain abscess);
• intestinal infections;
• respiratory diseases (pneumonia, lung abscess);
• oral cavity infections;
• 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. 2003 studies did not reveal the negative effects of drinking strong drinks while using medications. However, doctors are convinced that the consequences of their combination may be as follows:

• sharp pains in the abdomen;
• nausea, vomiting;
• severe headaches;
• chills;
• heart rhythm disturbances;
• in rare severe cases, respiratory failure develops.

Women should pay attention to the fact that a disulfiram-like reaction is possible not only with oral and injection of the drug, but also with the use of vaginal cream.

Alcohol and cephalosporins

Cephalosporins are a group of broad-spectrum drugs with a strong bactericidal effect. 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;
• skin, soft tissue infections.

Cephalosporins are often prescribed for purulent sore throats - one of the most common infections in our country.

All cephalosporins, like nitroimidazoles, are capable of causing a disulfiram-like reaction. Its main symptoms: nausea, headache, abdominal pain, caused by intoxication of the body. The possibility of a disulfiram-like reaction should be taken seriously, as the consequences can be serious, even fatal.

There are drugs that do not belong to the two groups listed above, namely their interaction with alcohol does not lead to a reaction similar to disulfiram, but also brings negative consequences.

Antibiotics with which it is relatively safe to drink alcohol

A number of antibacterial drugs have been successfully tested for alcohol compatibility and their combination is safe for the body.

• Penicillin antibiotics.
• Expectorants and mucolytics, which are prescribed for lung diseases, to dilute viscous phlegm.
• Antifungal drugs.

The above medicines can be taken with alcohol, but that does not mean that they can be safely washed with strong drinks! The best option for the development of events while taking antibiotics is a complete refusal to drink alcohol.

How to properly combine alcohol and antibiotics - safety precautions

The best option for the development of events during the treatment of a patient with antibiotics is the refusal of alcoholic beverages while taking medication. In exceptional cases, when you can not do without drinking, the following safety rules must be observed:

• Ask your doctor if it is allowed to mix alcohol with medicine and think about the possibility of giving up hard drinks.
• The minimum time interval between taking an antibiotic and drinking alcohol is 4 hours. A shorter period is fraught with major health problems.
• The amount drunk depends on the gender, weight, severity of the current disease, the strength of the drink and should not exceed 300-350 ml.
• Ethanol is present not only in strong drinks (vodka, cognac, whiskey), but also in low-alcohol drinks (wine, champagne, beer). Even if the alcohol content here is several times less, drinking will not go without harm to health.

In patients undergoing antibiotic therapy, the question arises: how long after the course is it allowed to drink alcoholic beverages? The correct answer can be given by the attending physician, and it depends on several factors: gender, age of the person, nature of his illness, health, drugs. Most drugs have a cumulative effect, continuing to act on the body after the end of taking. Medical professionals recommend starting drinking alcohol no earlier than 5 days after the end of treatment.

Three rules when taking antibacterial medication:

1. Antibacterial drugs are produced and prescribed in various dosage forms: tablets, syrups, intravenous and intramuscular injections, eye drops, ointments, vaginal suppositories, inhalation solutions. Any form of the drug can cause adverse reactions.
2. Ethanol, which is in the composition of alcoholic beverages, is harmful to human health. It is present not only in cognac, wine and beer, but also in cough syrups, tinctures of medicinal plants (licorice, marshmallow, echinacea, eleutherococcus). It is necessary to study the composition of drugs that are taken simultaneously with antibiotics.
3. Carefully read the instructions for the medicine to find out how compatible it is with alcohol. If the instructions say that research on this issue has not been conducted or there is no information, you will need to stop drinking alcohol during the course of treatment.

Antibacterial drugs carry an unnecessary load on the body and are prescribed in case of serious diseases. The doctor can only prescribe a certain medicine, everything else depends on the patient, who, first of all, must think of a speedy recovery. A sick person should take the prescribed medication at the right time, sleep at least 7-8 hours a day, eat foods high in vitamins and trace elements. It is better to forget about taking alcohol during this period. This is especially true for people suffering from chronic diseases of the heart, liver, kidneys. Otherwise, the negative consequences will not force themselves to reap. It can be:

• Central nervous system failure and gradual death of brain cells.
• Intoxication of the body, the symptoms of which are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.
• Kidney damage, urinary system problems.
• Violation of heart rhythm.
• Gastritis, stomach ulcers.
• Violation of the intestinal microflora.
• Liver damage, leading to gradual cell death.
• Decreased immunity, the body will not be able to fight infections on its own.
• Cardiopalmus.
• Increases in blood pressure are dangerous for patients with hypertension.
• Stool disorder in the form of constipation or diarrhea.
• Weakness, drowsiness, loss of strength.
• Depressive state, nervous breakdown.
• Irritation, insomnia.
• Decreased intellectual abilities, memory impairment, concentration of attention.
• Fever and chills.
• Severe headaches.
• Convulsions.
• Allergic reactions in the form of itching, redness and redness of the skin.
• Difficulty breathing and Quincke's edema - without timely medical attention, ends in death.
• The effect of the treatment is minimal or absent.
• The disease can become chronic, reducing the patient's quality of life.

Alcohol in small doses will complement the holiday and help to relax. But its use during illness will not bring pleasure and may harm the body. This is the main thing a person should keep in mind when deciding for themselves whether it is worth mixing alcohol and antibiotics.