"Acyclovir" and alcohol, the compatibility of which we will discuss today, when used together, do not contribute to the treatment of diseases. For example, this medicine refers to antiviral drugs that are prescribed when herpes occurs. And alcohol, on the contrary, provokes the disease and its exacerbations, weakening the immune system.
Acyclovir
In order to understand whether it is possible to combine drugs and alcohol, you need to know their effect on the body. In most cases, "Acyclovir" is prescribed for herpes. Both simple and shingles. In cases of taking this drug, the affected surface heals quickly. And thanks to Acyclovir, new rashes are prevented.
The effect of alcohol on the body
Can Acyclovir be mixed with alcohol? To answer the question you will need to consider how alcohol acts on the body. If Acyclovir helps to cope with diseases, then they, on the contrary, are aggravated by alcohol. It kills pathogenic bacteria. But at the same time it acts on positive microorganisms.
As a result, alcohol greatly weakens the effect of many drugs. Alcohol often causes an overstrain of the nervous system. And this is fraught with aggravation of the disease. In particular, with herpes, rashes may intensify or more negative manifestations may begin. Therefore, alcohol when taking "Acyclovir" not only blocks the effect of the drug, but also further aggravates the disease.
Clinical trial results
Each organism is purely individual. Therefore, the effect of alcohol on it can cause various consequences. According to clinical trials, if “Acyclovir” and alcohol are used at the same time, then nothing bad happens, and therefore there are no contraindications. Nevertheless, doctors and pharmacists advise to refrain from alcohol during treatment.
Alcohol and Acyclovir Compatibility
The instructions of "Acyclovir" does not state that the drug can not be combined with alcohol. But you need to remember that the drug is an antiviral agent and has an immunostimulating effect. Therefore, it is still not recommended to combine Acyclovir and alcohol.
The reasons why you need to refrain from mixing alcohol and Acyclovir
There are several reasons why they are incompatible. Any alcohol has a very strong effect on the liver. Its function is to free the body of toxins. And any medications create an additional burden on the liver. Even if they have no side effects at all. But then they can provoke various negative reactions. And as a result, shortness of breath, asthmatic attack, nausea, etc. often appear.
Therefore, to the question: “Can Acyclovir be taken with alcohol?” - the answer will follow: "No." Since if alcohol is also added to the action of the drug, this can lead not only to unpleasant sensations (nausea, headache, etc.), but also to irreparable consequences for the liver.
What could be the consequences?
According to many pharmacists, there is no definitive ban on combining alcohol and Acyclovir. Nevertheless, it is better to refrain from such a combination. Otherwise, pretty unpleasant consequences may arise:
- headache;
- weakness;
- cramps
- confusion of consciousness;
- hives;
- swelling;
- skin rashes;
- Dizziness
- drowsiness;
- hallucinations;
- fatigue;
- encephalopathy;
- coma;
- tremor;
- insanity;
- speech impairment;
- ataxia;
- anemia;
- leukopenic or erythropenic disorders;
- allergic dermatitis;
- palpitations
- chest pain;
- nausea;
- vomiting
- violation of the stool;
- lack of appetite;
- stomach ache;
- ataxic manifestations;
- jaundice or hepatitis;
- gastritis
- hyperactivity of liver enzymes;
- photosensitivity;
- alopecia;
- fever;
- respiratory and swallowing disorders;
- general intoxication of the body.
It can be added to the above that alcohol can cause viral activity. And since the body’s immune system is already weakened in a painful condition, it becomes much more difficult for the liver to fight toxins. And this is fraught with high intoxication. Moreover, with the constant use of alcohol, the pancreas and gastric mucosa are in an inflamed state. And from this, the absorption of "Acyclovir" is much slower. Accordingly, the effectiveness of the treatment is lost.
Of course, if during therapy the patient drank a glass of beer or a little wine, then it is unlikely that such an amount of alcohol will give any complications. But even if after a small dose of alcohol the well-being becomes unimportant, it is better not to pull and consult a doctor. At the same time, one should not hide the reception and the amount of alcohol drunk from him.
Admission Rules
According to doctors, taking “Acyclovir” (tablets) and alcohol at the same time is not recommended. But if such a need arose, then injections can be made. "Acyclovir" is sold in ampoules for intravenous injection. You need to enter them as soon as the solution is ready (or the capsule is open). Otherwise, the drug may partially lose its healing properties.
It happens that a viral infection has already begun active in the body. And the patient, not suspecting this, drank alcohol. Over time, the symptoms of the disease will fully manifest. Moreover, in the enhanced version due to the accepted alcoholic beverages. In this case, “Acyclovir” is preferably not taken until the metabolites and ethanol are completely eliminated from the body.
To speed up this process, you can do a gastric lavage or an enema. Or take absorbent substances or drugs. After a complete cleansing of the body, the patient should drink hot tea. Ideally, green. After half an hour, drink chicken stock. And only 60 minutes after this, you can take "Acyclovir".
Is it possible to drink “Acyclovir” while already intoxicated?
With herpes, chickenpox and some other diseases, “Acyclovir” is prescribed. Can I drink alcohol at this time? If the patient is already intoxicated, then the drug is strictly prohibited. Just as it’s better not to drink Acyclovir from a hangover. This combination often leads to even greater intoxication of the body. Alcohol will be allowed to drink only after the end of the course of therapy. But not earlier, otherwise the medicine may not work, and alcohol can aggravate the disease or cause complications.
Side effects
If you take "Acyclovir" and alcohol at the same time, then side effects may occur in the form of:
- nausea
- vomiting
- headache;
- allergies.
If the drug was administered intravenously, then the level of creatinine or urea sometimes increases. Often the activity of liver enzymes increases. If Acyclovir enters the skin from an ampoule, it may cause slight itching or redness of the epidermis. Allergic reactions sometimes occur.
conclusions
And yet you can drink alcohol and "Acyclovir" at the same time or not? Despite the fact that there are no obvious contraindications in the instructions for the drug, it is better not to drink alcohol during therapy. This opinion is shared by almost all doctors. In other words, alcohol should not be drunk either before or while taking the drug. According to the reviews of those who have already taken the medicine while drinking alcohol, such experiments can end very badly.
The opinion of doctors: "Acyclovir" refers to serious medications. Therefore, during therapy, patients must comply with the drinking regimen. And this is another contraindication to drinking alcohol during treatment. The fact is that ethanol retains fluids very strongly in the body. Therefore, at the same time to drink "Acyclovir" and alcohol can not.
After taking the drug in tablets, the medicine is absorbed by about 20 percent. Passing through the kidneys, Acyclovir is almost unmodified. And the medicine is removed from the body after about 3 hours. If an intravenous injection was given, then about a third of the drug will be released.
If the patient has renal failure, then the time may increase to eighteen hours. Against this background, if alcohol is still present in the body, the withdrawal time may increase significantly. This means that the residual drug will be in the body at this time, but in a processed form, like slags.
Of course, if during the treatment the patient nevertheless drank alcohol, then there is no need to panic about this. Especially if a little alcohol was drunk. With small doses of alcohol, the risks of complications are also minimal. According to reviews, if patients drank a little wine, then nothing bad happened then. But again, this largely depends on the human body, since it is individual for everyone.
It happens that there is a slight intolerance to alcohol. But if at the same time even the most harmless drugs are taken daily, then, together, rather serious consequences are obtained. Therefore, at the time of treatment for your own safety, it is better to give up alcohol at all.