When can I drink alcohol after antibiotics? Doctors do not give an exact answer to this question. Each group of antibiotics has its own mechanism of action, and therefore reacts differently to alcohol. In addition, most disorders that require therapy with such drugs require restricting the use of certain foods. So, today we’ll talk about antibiotics and alcohol (when you can drink alcohol, especially interactions, negative consequences).
Rules for taking antibiotics
Antibiotics are very effective but dangerous medicines. Before taking them, you should definitely consult a specialist. The main indication for the use of such drugs is the presence of a bacterial infection, which the body cannot cope on its own. If the doctor has prescribed a course of antibiotics, then during their administration, certain rules should be followed:
- Strict adherence to time and frequency of medication. This is necessary to maintain a constant concentration of certain substances in the blood.
- The duration of taking antibiotics is determined by the doctor. As a rule, the course of therapy is from 5 to 14 days. Some long-acting drugs are taken 1-3 days.
- Drink the medicine should be clean still water.
- During treatment, you need to follow a diet. You should abandon heavy fatty foods and alcohol.
Why can not you drink alcohol during antibiotic treatment?
One of the main requirements during antibiotic therapy is the rejection of alcohol. In addition, alcohol is not recommended to be taken after the end of treatment for a certain time.
Why is alcohol contraindicated after a course of antibiotics?
- When ingested, these substances break down into smaller components that turn into simple compounds. Some molecules of alcohol-containing drinks coincide with antibiotic molecules. By interacting, they can lead to serious malfunctions in the body.
- It has been proven that alcohol significantly reduces the effectiveness of antibacterial drugs.
- A mixture of these substances gives a large load on the liver, which negatively affects its work and the state of the body as a whole.
- The response of organs and systems to a combination of alcohol and chemical antibacterial agents is unpredictable.
Consequences of drinking alcohol during antibiotic therapy
In order to answer the question of when you can drink alcohol after antibiotics, you should talk about the consequences of mixing these substances in the body.
- Violation of the liver. This is the first and one of the most serious consequences of the simultaneous use of antibiotics and alcohol. While taking antibacterial drugs, the load on the liver greatly increases. Drinking alcohol during antibiotic therapy depresses the work of this body. As a result of this, metabolic processes are disrupted, and harmful substances are not excreted from the body, but accumulate in it.
- The combination of alcohol and antibiotics can cause serious allergic reactions.
- Headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, convulsions are the most common symptoms of intoxication of the body, which occurs as a result of mixing antibacterial drugs and alcohol.
- A great danger while taking antibiotics for the body is a hangover syndrome. It can cause clouding of the mind and lead to serious mental disorders.
Alcohol incompatible antibiotics
So, let's talk about specific antibiotics and alcohol (when you can take strong drinks after antibacterial drugs of certain groups). It is important to note that during the treatment of complex infections, drinking alcohol can lead to serious disorders, including death. Doctors forbid drinking alcoholic beverages during the treatment period and within 5 days after the end of the course of taking the following groups of drugs:
- anti-tuberculosis drugs ;
- tetracyclines (antibiotics of this group block biochemical processes in bacterial cells, and alcohol tends to neutralize their effect);
- aminoglycosides;
- ketoconazole;
- nitroimidazoles (alcohol can not be consumed within 7 days after the end of taking these antibiotics);
- lincosamides (have a detrimental effect on the liver);
- cephalosporins (mixing with alcohol can lead to a number of unpleasant consequences, including tachycardia);
- macrolides (enhance the toxic effects of alcohol);
- bleomycin.
Antibiotics that do not interact with alcohol
The following types of antibiotics during clinical trials did not show active interaction with alcoholic beverages.
- Penicillins - have a bactericidal effect, are used to treat many diseases.
- Antifungal drugs.
- Vancomycin is an antibiotic from the group of glycopeptides. Its bactericidal effect is due to blocking the synthesis of the cell wall.
- Rifomycin - refers to the group of ansamycins. Broad-spectrum antibiotic.
- Heliomycin - is used to treat rhinitis, pharyngitis, infectious dermatitis and other diseases.
Is it possible to drink alcohol after the antibiotics listed above? Doctors claim that drinking a small amount of alcohol after the end of therapy with these antibacterial drugs does not cause critical damage to health. However, it should be remembered that each organism reacts differently to a combination of such substances. That is why alcohol is not recommended to be used during the period of antibiotic therapy in these groups and within 3 days after the end of the course of treatment.
When can I drink alcohol after antibiotics?
Doctors recommend that you refrain from drinking alcohol for at least 3 days after the end of the course of therapy. It is during this period that most chemical antibacterial agents are completely eliminated from the body.
When can I drink alcohol after prolonged antibiotics? Doctors do not give a clear answer to this question. Each powerful antibiotic has its own decay period (from 10 to 24 days). Therefore, before drinking alcohol, you should always consult your doctor.