Scientists claim that the active active ingredients of antibiotics are in the body for at least 3 days. There are drugs with a prolonged (long) action, they are removed only after 2-3 weeks. Consultation with a doctor can help prevent side effects. It is important to pay attention to the following parameters before starting to drink alcohol after antibiotics:
- the duration of the course of treatment with the drug;
- its compatibility with ethyl alcohol;
- the time after which alcohol is allowed after the last dose.
Combine drugs with alcohol
From the point of view of some doctors, taking antibiotics at the same time as alcohol can lead to liver dysfunction, as well as reduce the effectiveness of drugs to almost zero.
Other experts speak only of a four-hour abstinence, assuring that by the end of this period the drugs are already completing the active phase and alcohol intake will not affect the state of health in any way.
What happens if you mix it with alcohol
Antibiotics are prescribed for the treatment of many diseases. Numerous events follow one another during the treatment: birthdays, corporate parties, weddings and other events. Therefore, many are concerned about the question of how much alcohol should not be drunk after antibiotics. Let's consider this problem in more detail.
Interaction
To understand whether it is possible to drink alcohol after antibiotics, it is necessary to have information on the interaction of drugs and drinks containing alcohol.
Any substance that enters the body begins to be digested. First there is a splitting into its constituent parts, then the complete disintegration of the substance. Only the original elements remain. These are carbohydrates, proteins, fats.
If you drink alcohol after antibiotics, the decomposition products of the alcohol product are also divided. If at this time the drug is not completely removed from the blood, its residues can attach itself to the breakdown products of alcohol. A mixture is formed that causes malfunctions in the work of internal organs.
Drinking alcohol after antibiotics can cause the following problems:
- the load on the liver will increase several times, due to which the natural filter will not cope with overload;
- allergic reactions of a different nature;
- mental health problems will begin;
- dizziness and vomiting.
How the reaction will manifest itself if you drink alcohol after taking antibiotics depends on the type of specific drug, the amount of alcohol you drink, the age and sex of the person, and the individual characteristics of the body.
It is safe to say that you cannot drink alcohol after antibiotics. The rule also applies to those drugs in the annotation for which there is no direct indication of incompatibility with alcohol-containing products. The milder side effects if you drink alcohol after a course of antibiotics will be the absence of the expected therapeutic effect.
Despite various important activities that cannot do without alcohol-containing products, drinking alcohol after antibiotics is unacceptable.
Alcohol while taking antibiotics can lead to serious irreversible consequences. The main negative reactions of this combination include:
- Increase the resistance of the pathogenic microflora. Antibacterial drugs are prescribed to destroy pathogenic microorganisms in the human body. At the same time, alcohol weakens the effect of these drugs, and at this time the bacteria adapt and adapt to the active substance, increasing their resistance to this group of antibiotics.
- The transition from acute to chronic form of the disease. Alcohol can accelerate the metabolism of the active substance, while the drug breaks down faster and does not have time to act on the focus of inflammation. To do this, the doctor prescribes a double dose of antibiotics, the load on the body increases, and the disease is treated longer and more difficult.
- An increase in blood viscosity with a combination of alcohol and antibiotics can lead to the development of a stroke or myocardial infarction, as well as problems in the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.
- Decrease in drug concentration due to the use of alcoholic beverages. At the same time, the doctor increases the dosage of antibacterial drugs, and with such a load, the liver and kidneys work for wear. Perhaps the development of acute insufficiency of these organs.
- Impaired liver function. Ethyl alcohol and antibiotics are broken down by the same liver enzymes. Under such influence, the production of these substances can completely stop, which will lead to severe intoxication and inhibition of the organ.
- Risk of developing severe allergic reactions. The human body can inadequately react to such a complex of influences. Anaphylactic shock or angioedema with fatal outcome are the irreversible result of the interaction of alcohol with antibiotics.
- Of particular danger is a 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 excretion is disturbed and in this context severe intoxication occurs, accompanied by: nausea, vomiting, palpitations, sweating, fever, drop in blood pressure, abdominal pain, dizziness and convulsions.
Compatible drugs
Among the antibacterial agents, there are separate categories of drugs that allow combined use with alcoholic beverages:
- cephalosporins;
- preparations of the penicillin series;
- macrolides.
If you are taking penicillin-containing drugs, you can drink alcohol no earlier than 4 hours after completing a course of antibiotics. This time it is enough for the complete absorption of the drug into the blood and its decomposition in the liver, which signals the fulfillment of the therapeutic function and the beginning of the process of removing the remnants of the drug by the kidneys.
If you start taking alcohol before this time, or drink too much, the effect of the treatment will not follow. The fact is that ethanol in large quantities improves the production of liver enzymes, which begin to actively break down not only alcohol, but also the drugs themselves.
This, in turn, contributes to the rapid removal of drugs from the body, as a result of which the drug does not have time to perform its functions. In addition, alcohol has a diuretic effect, which also helps to reduce the concentration of drugs and reduce their effectiveness to zero.
But there is a group of antibacterial drugs that should never be taken with alcohol or immediately before drinking it. This is explained by the ability of these antibiotics to block the production of enzymes that break down ethanol.
The effect of drugs in this group on the body is similar to the effect of the drug, which is used to code patients suffering from alcohol addiction.
Antibacterial therapy, carried out using drugs with similar properties, requires a complete rejection of alcohol. Violation of this rule is fraught with serious consequences, up to the death of the patient.
There are a number of groups of antibacterial agents that cannot be combined with any alcohol. These drugs include:
- Nitroimidazoles. High risk of developing a disulfiram-like reaction (alcohol intake is possible only after 2 days).
- Fluoroquinolones, when combined with alcohol, depress the nervous system until the development of coma, alcohol is allowed only after 36 hours.
- When interacting with ethyl alcohol, cephalosporins give a disulfiram-like reaction, alcohol can be taken after 24 hours (with kidney disease, the interval is lengthened).
- Tetracyclines damage liver cells for a long time, are excreted from the body, drinking alcohol no earlier than 3 days.
- Aminoglycosides are oto - and nephrotoxic, increase the side effects of drugs, alcohol can be taken no earlier than 2 weeks later.
- Lincosamides affect the central nervous system and liver, cause a reaction to disulfiram, alcohol is allowed only after 4 days.
- Macrolides cause liver cirrhosis. It is excreted very slowly from the body, let's say the intake of alcoholic beverages only after 4 days.
- Antituberculous drugs cause the development of drug-induced hepatitis with a fulminant course, any alcohol is strictly prohibited.
When can you drink alcohol after antibiotics: general rules
Compliance with the correct intake of antibiotics will help to cure the disease faster without the risk of adverse reactions. Basic rules:
- take medications only as directed by a doctor (self-medication is dangerous to health);
- be sure to observe the exact dosage and time of taking the antibiotic;
- the duration of treatment with the drug will be determined by the doctor. On average, this ranges from 5 to 15 days, and long-acting medication intake ranges from 1 to 4 days;
- you need to drink compresses with clean non-carbonated water, chamomile decoctions, unsweetened non-hot tea;
- during antibiotic treatment, it is better to refuse to take 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 meat. Limit the amount of fast carbohydrates;
- absolute contraindication: alcohol after antibiotics if less than 3 days have passed.
Today, antibiotics are an integral part of treatment when it comes to viral infections. This raises the question of when can you drink alcohol after antibiotics. Antibiotics are used in the fight against most viruses and bacteria known to modern medicine. What to do with alcohol consumption after antibiotics?
The duration of antibiotic treatment usually varies from a few days to months, depending on the complexity of the disease. Alcohol is not allowed during this period. Regulate your intake of other heavy foods. When using alcohol after antibiotics, the doctor does not guarantee the maximum effectiveness of the course, moreover, complications often occur.
You can start drinking alcohol after antibiotics after a while. Do not drink during the treatment. The number of days you have to wait before drinking alcohol varies by drug.
Why are alcohol and antibiotics incompatible? The fact is that the antibiotic taken automatically reduces the activity of your internal organs, which not only fight infections, but also cleanse the body after drinking alcohol.
Drinking alcohol during antibiotic treatment spoils the liver, kidneys and heart. After antibiotics, there is a serious failure in the natural intestinal microflora. If you drink in this state, you will find yourself in a hospital bed.
If you drink alcohol immediately after the pill, without waiting, you will experience side effects such as:
- liver failure;
- nausea and vomit;
- headache;
- dizziness;
- blurred mind.
These are the main reasons why alcohol after taking antibiotics is allowed only after a couple of days after the end of the course.
Term of abstinence
Of course, the question of how long it takes to start drinking alcohol after taking antibiotics should be asked by the doctor. If you forgot to ask your doctor and are unable to contact him now, please refer to the annotation attached to the remedy. Read it carefully for information on the duration of administration, the compatibility of the drug with alcohol, the period after which you can drink alcohol.
Very often, when asked how many days you can return to "alcoholic" life, the answer is a few days. The abstinence period varies from three days to a full week. Regardless of what specific remedy was used and what is the duration of its complete withdrawal from the body.
Although the instructions do not indicate whether it is possible to drink alcohol after antibiotics, it is best to postpone the celebrations for a few days. The point is not only in the compatibility of drugs and alcohol, but also in a fragile body. Even the smallest dose can be serious poison for him.
Strict prohibition
A strict ban on drinking alcohol during a course of antibiotics is not a whim of doctors. While no side effects are noticed when these two components are combined, it does not mean that the body has not been harmed.
With the combination of ethanol and drugs, there is not necessarily a direct effect. However, the therapeutic properties of the drug will be reduced. As a result, the disease will not be defeated and an additional course will be required, which will severely affect the liver and a number of other organs related to the excretory system.
There is a whole group of antibiotic drugs, the combination of which with alcohol is strictly prohibited. The annotation of such drugs always notes the lack of compatibility with ethanol. In addition, the doctor will give an appropriate warning to the patient.
In particular, it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol if you have been prescribed a drug from the group of tetracyclines. They are widely used in medicine for the treatment of various infections. Preparations from the levomecithin group are not combined with ethanol, as they cause severe side effects. When combined with drinking, the toxic effect of the drug is enhanced.
Cephalosporins are also powerful medicines, when taken simultaneously with alcohol, you can lead your body to severe intoxication, which does not contribute to a quick cure of the disease. In the group of drugs prohibited for drinking alcohol, there are antibiotics against tuberculosis and leprosy, as well as macrolides, which increase their toxic properties when combined with alcohol. First of all, in these cases, the brain and liver suffer.
Time frame
There are antibiotics, in the instructions for which you will not find information on compatibility with ethyl alcohol. These are anti-fungal drugs, drugs with penicillin.
It has already been mentioned above that this gap in the instructions does not give the green light to the consumption of alcohol. Consider the individuality of your body. For some, the combination of alcohol and an antibiotic will only cause mild intoxication and for some there is even the possibility of death.
In this case, the minimum abstinence period is three days. Of course, if you have any questions, it is best to contact your doctor who will explain the answers to your questions.
Admission rules
It is necessary to take antibiotics correctly to increase the effectiveness of the treatment and reduce the likelihood of side effects. Prescribing antibiotics is performed only by a doctor; tests are preliminarily administered to help the doctor determine which antibiotics are best suited.
Self-purchasing antibiotics can lead to side effects or simply zero effectiveness.
The use of antibiotics is subject to strict rules. For example, when using antibiotics twice a day, it is best to bring the interval between doses up to 12 hours. Usually, during this period, one tablet maintains the required concentration of the substance in the blood.
Meat is best consumed boiled, while choosing chicken or turkey, stewed vegetables are prepared. It is important to observe the consumption regime. Normally, a person needs 30 ml per kilogram of body weight.
However, during the illness, the intoxication syndrome increases, so it is advisable to increase the consumption rate per liter.
Keep in mind that high temperature increases the body's need for fluid and is actively used to eliminate bacterial decomposition products from the body.
In case of infectious diseases, be sure to go on sick leave. Exclude sports, in some cases bed rest is recommended. If you can't lie down all day, take a walk outside. You can combine antibiotics with other medicines only as directed by your doctor.
When you can drink alcohol
The timing of the complete elimination of antibiotics from the body is strictly individual. For example, aminoglycosides are removed from the circulatory system after 2. 5 hours.
The same substances in the intra-auricular fluid leave the body only 14-15 days after taking the last pill. Drinking alcohol before this period is fraught with serious problems, up to complete deafness.
The duration of the "abstinence" period is determined by the type of drug, the age of the patient, his state of health and metabolic characteristics. In some cases, the use of alcohol is allowed as early as 1-1, 5 days after the end of the course of treatment, in others it may take about 3-10 days of absolute refusal of alcohol.
Only a doctor can determine exactly how many days after taking antibiotics you can drink alcohol. Many experts are of the opinion that a delicious wine (or something stronger) can be enjoyed only 10 days after the completion of the therapeutic path.
For patients suffering from diseases of the liver, kidneys and other organs, these periods can be extended, according to the individual recommendations of the doctor.
In addition, there are a number of factors that speak in favor of the absolute rejection of alcohol during treatment, as well as immediately after its completion:
- During this period, the human body, weakened by infection, is more susceptible to the effects of antibiotics, which have a negative effect on the kidneys, liver and heart. In addition, the drugs damage the gastrointestinal tract by suppressing its microflora. If alcohol is added to this, the body may simply not withstand the load, which threatens the development of acute kidney and liver failure.
- The effectiveness of antibiotic therapy is reduced by almost 100% if alcohol is drunk in parallel. The fact is that pathogenic microorganisms, which antibiotics aim to humiliate, will lose their sensitivity to the drug and remain immune to its action. Repeated violation of the drinking abstinence regimen will result in the ineffectiveness of the entire treatment, which could result in the patient's death.
These are the main reasons why you should stop drinking during the course of a course of therapy and soon after its completion. Indeed, part of the pathogenic bacteria remains active for some time, and the weakening of the action of drugs will contribute to the further development of pathogenic microflora.
summing up
- During this period, the human body, weakened by infection, is more susceptible to the effects of antibiotics, which have a negative effect on the kidneys, liver and heart. In addition, the drugs damage the gastrointestinal tract by suppressing its microflora. If alcohol is added to this, the body may simply not withstand the load, which threatens the development of acute kidney and liver failure.
- The effectiveness of antibiotic therapy is reduced by almost 100% if alcohol is drunk in parallel. The fact is that pathogenic microorganisms, which antibiotics aim to humiliate, will lose their sensitivity to the drug and remain immune to its action. Repeated violation of the drinking abstinence regimen will result in the ineffectiveness of the entire treatment, which could result in the patient's death.
- How many days after taking antibiotics you can drink alcohol, the doctor determines, taking into account the type and nature of the course of the disease, the age of the patient and the characteristics of his body.
- Light alcoholic beverages (for example, wine) can be drunk 3-5 days after the end of the course of treatment, strong drinks - no earlier than 10 days later.
- Violation of the recommended periods of abstinence is fraught with serious consequences, up to the death of the patient.