Surely every average resident of our country at least once took antibacterial drugs. These drugs treat many diseases, ranging from inflammation of the skin and ending with infections of the internal organs. Often antibiotics are prescribed even for children. From an early age, a person gets acquainted with this antimicrobial agent.
Many people know that alcohol cannot be drunk during antibiotics. The main question arises: why? This is what will be discussed in this article. You will also learn about the consequences of taking alcohol after antibiotics. What to do if a festive event is planned and there is a need to receive antimicrobial agents?
Prohibition of mixing antimicrobials with ethanol: legend
Back in ancient times, a ban was introduced on the combination of alcoholic beverages and treatment. At that time, there was a massive infection of men and women with sexually transmitted diseases. Doctors scared their patients, reporting that the use of even a small amount of ethanol would make the entire treatment ineffective.
Such information was disseminated for only one purpose. The medical staff simply feared that the person, taking a little "on his chest", would again go into all seriouss and begin to look for adventure. But sex during the treatment was strictly prohibited. After that, an attitude appeared in the minds of people regarding the fact that alcohol after antibiotics is strictly forbidden. In fact, everything is not so scary.
So why not antibiotics with alcohol?
The answer to this question can give any qualified physician. There are a number of medical antimicrobials that are strictly forbidden to use with ethanol. And the point is not that the treatment will be ineffective. There are several answers to the question of why antibiotics with alcohol cannot be. And all the reasons are good enough.
Lack of therapeutic effect
This consequence of the simultaneous administration of ethanol with antimicrobial agents is the most harmless. Molecules of antibacterial drugs, getting into the human body, bind to proteins, which are pathogens.
After taking a certain dose of alcoholic beverages, the proteins change somewhat. Many antibacterial substances in this case react with ethanol. In this case, the treatment is simply ineffective and useless. It turns out that a person drinks drugs, "poisons" his body, and there is no sense in this. After such treatment, the doctor is forced to prescribe a new course of other antibiotics. This can go on for quite a long time.
Liver load
Combining alcohol and antibiotics, the consequences can be expected to be very unpleasant. Surely everyone knows that the liver in our body acts as a so-called filter. It is through this body that all drugs pass and leave their negative effect.
Alcohol contributes to the destruction of the liver. During antimicrobial treatment, this is especially noticeable. Often a person begins to complain of pain in the liver and yellowing of the mucous membranes. It is worth noting that hepatitis is a liver disease. If this organ is sick, this affects the condition of the whole human body. If you want to avoid this negative effect, then you should drink alcohol after antibiotics (when they are completely eliminated from the body). Usually the time is always indicated in the instructions.
The effect on the gastrointestinal tract
If you use alcohol and antibiotics at the same time , the consequences can be expressed as incomplete absorption of the active substance. After taking the drug, it enters the stomach, and from there into the intestines. It is in this place that the main absorption of antimicrobials occurs.
Alcohol also has some effect on the stomach and intestines. After taking a dose of ethanol, blood circulation increases due to vasodilation. Also, alcoholic beverages contribute to increased peristalsis. Too high doses of ethanol can cause diarrhea and indigestion. All this contributes to the rapid removal of antibiotics from the body. Due to this process, treatment may be inferior.
Disulfiram-like reaction
If you drink alcohol and antibiotics in parallel, the consequences may be most unexpected. Some drugs may cause a disulfiram-like reaction. It is worth noting that this information is always indicated on the package. If you find ethanol consumption in contraindications, then you should listen to this indication. A disulfiram-like reaction can manifest itself with the following symptoms:
- severe nausea and vomiting, which does not bring relief;
- headaches that do not even allow you to talk;
- fever and chills;
- cramps or coma;
- fatal outcome.
Similar symptoms may begin after drinking one glass of beer or wine. That is why you should refrain from taking alcohol and antimicrobials at the same time.
Allergy
If you combine alcohol and antibiotics, the consequences may manifest as an unexpected allergic reaction. Often, antibacterial drugs are available in colored capsules. Also, many types of drinks containing ethanol have a certain color. Taken together, these substances can cause a completely unexpected reaction. Most often, allergies are expressed in the form of urticaria: a person begins to itch, sneeze, becomes covered with red spots.
A similar reaction forces you to change the method of treatment and refuse to take this drug. At the same time, the doctor states the following facts: the treatment is not finished, the body still has a bacterial infection, there is a need to start taking alternative drugs after the disappearance of the allergic reaction.
How to combine alcohol with antibiotics without consequences
If you have a festive event planned, as well as treatment prescribed, then you need to correctly calculate the timing. Perhaps it makes sense to postpone the use of antimicrobials or do more safely. After the event, you can safely wait for the complete removal of ethanol from the body and begin treatment.
When can alcohol be after antibiotics
Each preparation contains instructions in the package. It must be studied before treatment. Carefully read the paragraph that reports on the time of elimination of the drug from the body. Please note that there is a half-life. He does not fit. Alcohol can be consumed only after the active substance is finally removed from the body. Calculate when the substance becomes inactive. Immediately after this, you can drink alcohol without fear that an unexpected reaction will occur.
Brief Summary and Recommendations
Now you know if alcohol is possible with antibiotics. Many people claim that they consumed alcohol at the same time as antimicrobials, and there were no complications. We can say that they were just lucky. Not always the lack of reaction in one person guarantees a similar outcome in another.
Follow your doctor's recommendations. Ask him if you can combine your treatment with alcohol. In case of a ban, you should refrain from alcoholic beverages. It is worth noting that antibiotic treatment is not prescribed for a long time. Most often, the course of admission is from three days to one week. It's not that long. You can tolerate and do not drink alcohol during treatment. Be healthy!