According to scientists, the active ingredients of antibiotics remain in the body for at least 3 days. There are prolonged (long) acting drugs that are removed only after 2-3 weeks. Consulting a doctor can help you avoid side effects. It is important to pay attention to the following parameters before consuming alcohol after taking antibiotics:
- duration of medication;
- compatibility with ethyl alcohol;
- the time after which alcohol consumption is allowed after the last dose.
Combining drugs with alcohol
According to some doctors, taking antibiotics at the same time as alcohol can lead to liver dysfunction and reduce the effectiveness of the drugs to almost nothing.
Other experts speak only of four hours of abstinence, ensuring that at the end of this period the drugs will have completed their active phase and alcohol consumption will not affect the health status in any way.
What happens when you mix it with alcohol
Antibiotics are prescribed to treat many diseases. Many events take place during the treatment: birthdays, company parties, weddings and other events. Therefore, the question of how much alcohol should not be drunk after antibiotics worries many people. Let's consider this problem in more detail.
Interaction
To understand whether it is possible to drink alcohol after antibiotics, you need information about the interaction of drugs and alcoholic beverages.
Any substance that enters the body is digested. First, there is a separation into its constituent parts, and then the complete disintegration of the material. Only the original elements remain. These are carbohydrates, proteins, fats.
If you drink alcohol after taking an antibiotic, the breakdown products of the alcohol product are also broken down. If at this moment the drug is not completely removed from the blood, then its residues bind to the breakdown products of alcohol. A mixture is formed, which causes malfunctions in the work of internal organs.
Drinking alcohol after taking antibiotics can cause the following problems:
- the load on the liver increases several times, due to which the natural filter will not cope with the overload;
- allergic reactions of a different nature;
- mental health problems begin;
- dizziness and vomiting.
How the reaction occurs when drinking alcohol after taking antibiotics depends on the type of drug, the amount of alcohol consumed, the age and gender of the person, and the individual characteristics of the body.
It's safe to say that you can't drink alcohol after antibiotics. The rule also applies to drugs in the notes for which there is no direct reference to incompatibility with alcohol-containing products. If you drink alcohol after a course of antibiotics, the mildest side effect is the lack of the expected therapeutic effect.
Despite many important activities that cannot be done without alcoholic products, drinking alcohol after antibiotics is unacceptable.
Alcohol consumed while taking antibiotics can have serious, irreversible consequences. The main negative reactions of this combination are:
- Increasing the resistance of pathogenic microflora. Antibacterial drugs are prescribed to kill pathogenic microorganisms in the human body. At the same time, alcohol weakens the effect of these drugs, and then the bacteria adapt and adapt to the active substance, increasing their resistance to this group of antibiotics.
- The transition of the acute form of the disease to the chronic. Alcohol can speed up the metabolism of the active substance, while the drug breaks down faster and does not have time to affect the focus of inflammation. For this, the doctor prescribes a double dose of antibiotics, the burden on the body increases, and the disease is treated longer and more difficult.
- With the combination of alcohol and antibiotics, an increase in blood viscosity can lead to the development of a stroke or heart attack, as well as problems with the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.
- A decrease in the concentration of the drug due to the use of alcoholic beverages. At the same time, the doctor increases the dose of antibacterial drugs, and with such a load, the liver and kidneys work on wear and tear. Perhaps the development of acute failure 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 leads to severe poisoning and inhibition of the organ.
- Risk of severe allergic reactions. The human body may not respond properly to such a complex of effects. Fatal anaphylactic shock or angioedema is an irreversible consequence of the interaction of alcohol and antibiotics.
- Particularly dangerous is the disulfiram-like reaction that occurs due to the accumulation of acetaldehyde (an intermediate metabolite of ethyl alcohol) in tissues and organs, acting as a strong nootropic on the central nervous system. Its emptying is disturbed, which leads to severe poisoning, which is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, palpitations, sweating, fever, drop in blood pressure, abdominal pain, dizziness and convulsions.
Compatible medications
Among antibacterial agents, there are separate drug categories that allow for combined use with alcoholic beverages:
- cephalosporins;
- Penicillin series preparations;
- macrolides.
If you take medicines containing penicillin, you can drink alcohol no earlier than 4 hours after the end of the course of antibiotics. This time is sufficient for the complete absorption of the drug in the blood and its breakdown in the liver, which indicates the fulfillment of the therapeutic function and the beginning of the process of removing drug residues by the kidneys.
If you start drinking alcohol earlier than this period, or if you drink too much of it, the effect of the treatment will not occur. The fact is that ethanol in large quantities increases the production of liver enzymes, which 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 right before drinking. This can be explained by the fact that such antibiotics can block the production of ethanol-degrading enzymes.
The effect of drugs belonging to this group on the body is similar to the effect of the drug, which is used to code patients with alcohol addiction.
Antibacterial therapy with drugs with similar properties requires complete rejection of alcohol. Violation of this rule has serious consequences, up to the death of the patient.
There are a large number of groups of antibacterial agents that cannot be combined with any alcohol. These medicines include:
- Nitroimidazoles. High risk of developing a disulfiram-like reaction (alcohol consumption is possible only after 2 days).
- Fluoroquinolones combined with alcohol depress the nervous system until coma occurs, alcohol is only allowed after 36 hours.
- When interacting with ethyl alcohol, cephalosporins give a disulfiram-like reaction, alcohol can be taken after 24 hours (in case of kidney disease, the interval is extended).
- Tetracyclines damage the liver cells for a very long time, they are eliminated from the body, alcohol consumption takes 3 days at the earliest.
- Aminoglycosides are oto- and nephrotoxic, they increase the side effects of the drugs, alcohol should be taken no earlier than 2 weeks later.
- Lincosamides affect the central nervous system and liver, cause disulfiram reaction, alcohol is allowed only after 4 days.
- Macrolides cause liver cirrhosis. It is cleared from the body very slowly, for example after 4 days of consuming alcoholic beverages.
- Anti-tuberculosis drugs cause the development of drug-induced hepatitis with a fulminant course, all alcohol is strictly prohibited.
When can you drink alcohol after antibiotics: general rules
Adhering to the correct intake of antibiotics helps to heal the disease faster without the risk of side effects. Basic rules:
- take medicines only according to the doctor's instructions (self-medication is dangerous to health);
- be sure to follow the exact dose and time of taking the antibiotic;
- the duration of medication is determined by the doctor. On average, this is 5-15 days, and long-acting drugs take 1-4 days;
- tablets should be taken with clean, non-carbonated water, chamomile decoctions, not hot tea without sugar;
- during antibiotic treatment, it is better to refuse to eat 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. 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 the treatment of viral infections. This raises the question of when to drink alcohol after antibiotics. Antibiotics are used to fight most viruses and bacteria known to modern medicine. What to do with alcohol consumption after antibiotics?
The duration of antibiotic treatment usually lasts from several days to months, depending on the complexity of the disease. Alcohol is not allowed during this period. Control the consumption of other heavy foods. In the case of alcohol consumption after antibiotics, the doctor does not guarantee the maximum effectiveness of the course, and complications often occur.
After taking antibiotics, you can start drinking alcohol after a while. Do not drink during treatment. The number of days to wait before consuming alcohol varies depending on the medication.
Why are alcohol and antibiotics incompatible? The fact is that the antibiotic taken automatically reduces the activity of the internal organs, which not only fight against infections, but also clean the body after drinking alcohol.
Alcohol consumption during antibiotic treatment means damage to the liver, kidneys and heart. After antibiotics, a serious failure occurs 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 taking the pill without waiting, you may experience side effects such as:
- liver failure;
- nausea and vomiting;
- headache;
- dizziness;
- clouded mind.
These are the main reasons why after taking antibiotics, alcohol is allowed only a few days after the end of the course.
Duration of abstinence
Of course, the question of how long it takes to start drinking alcohol after taking antibiotics should be asked by your doctor. If you forgot to ask the doctor about this and now you cannot contact him, read the note attached to the medicine. Read carefully to find information on dosage duration, drug compatibility with alcohol, and duration of alcohol consumption.
Most often, the answer to the question of how many days an "alcoholic" can return to life is a few days. The duration of abstinence ranges from three days to a full week. Regardless of what specific remedy was used and how long it takes to completely withdraw from the body.
Even if the instructions do not indicate whether you can drink alcohol after antibiotics, it is better to postpone the celebration for a few days. The point is not only in the compatibility of drugs and alcohol, but also in the fragile body. Even the smallest dose can be serious poison for him.
Strict prohibition
The strict prohibition of alcohol consumption during the course of antibiotics is not the whim of doctors. Even if you do not notice any side effects when combining these two components, this does not mean that the body is not harmed.
With the combination of ethanol and drugs, there is not necessarily a direct effect. However, the therapeutic properties of the drug will decrease. Accordingly, the disease cannot be overcome and a further course will be required, which will seriously affect the liver and many other organs related to the excretory system.
There is a whole group of antibiotics, the combination of which is strictly prohibited with alcohol. The comment on such drugs always notes the lack of compatibility with ethanol. In addition, the doctor gives the patient an appropriate warning.
It is especially strictly forbidden to drink alcohol if you have been prescribed a drug from the tetracycline group. It is widely used in medicine to treat various infections. Preparations belonging to the group of levomecitins are not combined with ethanol, as they cause serious side effects. The toxic effect of the drug increases when combined with drinking.
Cephalosporins are also strong drugs, if taken at the same time as alcohol, your body can become seriously poisoned, which does not contribute to the rapid recovery of the disease. Antibiotics against tuberculosis and leprosy, as well as macrolides, which increase their toxic properties when combined with alcohol, are included in the group of drugs that are forbidden to consume alcohol. First, in such cases, the brain and liver suffer.
Time frame
There are antibiotics in the instructions for which you will not find information about compatibility with ethyl alcohol. These are antifungal drugs, drugs with penicillin.
We have already mentioned above that this deficiency in the instructions does not give the green light to alcohol consumption. Consider the individuality of your body. For some, the combination of alcohol and antibiotics causes only mild poisoning, and for some, there is even the possibility of death.
In this case, the minimum period of abstinence is three days. Of course, if you have any questions, it is better to visit your doctor, who will explain the answers to your questions.
Admission rules
To increase the effectiveness of treatment and reduce the likelihood of side effects, you need to take antibiotics correctly. Antibiotics can only be prescribed by a doctor, tests are given beforehand to help the doctor decide which antibiotic is the most suitable.
Buying antibiotics on your own can lead to side effects or simply zero effectiveness.
Strict rules apply to the use of antibiotics. For example, when using antibiotics twice a day, it is best to increase the interval between doses to 12 hours. Usually, during this time, one tablet maintains the necessary concentration of the substance in the blood.
It is worth eating the meat cooked, while choosing chicken or turkey and preparing steamed vegetables. It is important to follow the drinking regime. Normally, a person needs 30 ml per kilogram of body weight.
However, during illness, the intoxication syndrome increases, so it is advisable to increase the drinking rate per liter.
Remember that high temperature increases the body's need for fluid, and it is also actively used to flush out the decay products of bacteria from the body.
In case of infectious diseases, you must take sick leave. Excluding sports, bed rest is recommended in some cases. If you can't lie down all day, take a walk outside. Antibiotics can be combined with other drugs only according to the doctor's instructions.
When can you drink alcohol?
The timing of complete elimination of antibiotics from the body is strictly individual. For example, aminoglycosides are removed from the circulatory system after 2. 5 hours.
The substances in the fluid inside the ear leave the body only 14-15 days after taking the last pill. Alcohol consumption before this period is associated with serious problems, up to complete deafness.
The duration of the "abstinence" period is determined by the type of drug, the patient's age, health and metabolic characteristics. In some cases, alcohol consumption is allowed as early as 1-1. 5 days after the end of the course, in other cases, the complete rejection of alcohol can last for about 3-10 days.
Only a doctor can determine exactly how many days after taking antibiotics you can drink alcohol. Many experts are of the opinion that you can enjoy fine wine (or something stronger) only 10 days after the end of the therapeutic course.
In patients with diseases of the liver, kidneys and other organs, these periods can be extended according to the individual recommendation of the doctor.
In addition, there are several factors in favor of the absolute refusal of alcohol during treatment, as well as immediately after its completion:
- During this period, the human body, weakened by infection, is more sensitive to the effects of antibiotics, which have a negative effect on the kidneys, liver and heart. In addition, drugs damage the gastrointestinal tract by suppressing its microflora. If alcohol is added to this, the body simply cannot handle the load, which threatens the development of acute kidney and liver failure.
- The effectiveness of antibiotic therapy decreases by almost 100% if you drink alcohol at the same time. The fact is that pathogenic microorganisms humiliated by antibiotics lose their sensitivity to the drug and remain immune to its effects. Repeated violation of the order of abstinence from drinking leads to the ineffectiveness of the entire treatment, which can lead to the death of the patient.
These are the main reasons why you should stop drinking during the course of therapy and immediately after its completion. In fact, some of the pathogenic bacteria remain active for some time, and the weakening of the effect of drugs contributes to the further development of pathogenic microflora.
In summary
- During this period, the human body, weakened by infection, is more sensitive to the effects of antibiotics, which have a negative effect on the kidneys, liver and heart. In addition, drugs damage the gastrointestinal tract by suppressing its microflora. If alcohol is added to this, the body simply cannot handle the load, which threatens the development of acute kidney and liver failure.
- The effectiveness of antibiotic therapy decreases by almost 100% if you drink alcohol at the same time. The fact is that pathogenic microorganisms humiliated by antibiotics lose their sensitivity to the drug and remain immune to its effects. Repeated violation of the order of abstinence from drinking leads to the ineffectiveness of the entire treatment, which can lead to the death of the patient.
- How many days after taking antibiotics you can drink alcohol is determined by the doctor, taking into account the type and nature of the disease, the age of the patient and the characteristics of his body.
- Light alcoholic drinks (such as wine) can be consumed 3-5 days after the end of the course, strong drinks - no earlier than 10 days later.
- Violation of the recommended abstinence periods has serious consequences, up to the death of the patient.