The use of any drugs is not recommended with the simultaneous use of alcohol. Despite this, many patients manage to skip a glass or two during therapy. What does this threaten? The answer to this question depends on the general condition of the patient and the drugs that he takes. Today's article will tell you whether it is possible to take Sumamed medicine and alcohol at the same time. You will learn about the consequences of such therapy and find out what doctors think about this.
What is Sumamed? Preliminary drug description
The drug is available in the form of tablets and suspensions. It has a broad spectrum antibacterial effect. The active substance of the drug is azithromycin. The content of the component in the medicine can be different: from 125 to 1000 milligrams. The dose for a particular person is selected in accordance with his disease.
Once in the patient’s body, the drug binds to bacteria that are outside the cells and inside them. The medication blocks the further reproduction of pathogenic flora, has a bactericidal effect. It is worth noting that this tool can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription. However, doctors do not recommend using it on their own. Such therapy is not always true, the wrong treatment, you only harm yourself.
Sumamed and Alcohol: Compatibility
Can this medicine be combined with ethanol? To answer this question, refer to the annotation.
The instructions say that the drug is contraindicated in renal and liver failure. We can conclude that the drug negatively affects these organs. Ethanol acts in exactly the same way. If you combine Sumamed and alcohol, then the toxic effect will only intensify. The Special Instructions section also states that ethanol slows the absorption of the drug. This indicates that the drug will not be as effective as without the use of alcohol-containing products. Still wondering whether to combine Sumamed and alcohol or not? Then we understand further.
Is it possible to drink alcohol with pathologies treated with an antibiotic?
According to the instructions, do not combine the antibiotic "Sumamed" and alcohol. Compatibility of these substances is zero. This statement is once again confirmed by the indications for the use of the drug. Azithromycin-based tablets are prescribed for inflammatory infectious diseases of the lower and upper respiratory tract (such as tonsillitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, and so on). All these pathologies are accompanied by intoxication, headache, drowsiness and weakness. Few people would like to drink alcohol with such symptoms.
Antibiotic “Sumamed” is used for urinary infections, which are accompanied by pain and pain during urination, burning in the genital area and other unpleasant symptoms. Alcohol will only worsen your well-being, as it has a diuretic effect, induces sexual intercourse (which may be prohibited for the duration of therapy).
A drug is prescribed to treat ulcers and gastritis, as well as digestive diseases caused by Helicobacter bacteria. Ethanol will aggravate the course of such diseases, since it inevitably destroys the gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhea, pain, and inflammation.
What is fraught with the use of the drug simultaneously with ethanol?
It is known that Sumamed and alcohol are incompatible. But still, many patients do not calm down on this. They are interested in what can happen after drinking spirits and taking an antibiotic at the same time:
- The medicine will be ineffective. Ethanol destroys the effect of the drug, as a result, existing microorganisms acquire resistance. You should not waste time and money on treatment, an antibiotic in such a combination will not help. In the future, it will be necessary to use stronger and more expensive medicines.
- The manifestation of side effects will increase. In people who take Sumamed and alcohol at the same time, negative reactions occur more often. These are headaches, intoxication, weakness, disruption of the central nervous system and digestive organs. Allergy appears.
- Disulfiram-like reactions may occur . This effect often appears after a combination of ethanol and antibiotics. The patient begins vomiting, panic attack. In difficult situations, a coma develops. Even a fatal outcome is possible.
How long can I drink alcohol after Sumamed?
Any sensible person after the above arguments will give up a glass in favor of an antibiotic. But if the feast is still planned, besides you have already finished taking Sumamed, is it possible to drink alcohol?
This drug has a prolonged effect. The therapeutic effect of its use is observed for 4-7 days after the last dose. It turns out that alcohol can be drunk only a week after completion of the course.
Recommendations and reviews
Doctors strongly do not recommend taking alcohol simultaneously with the drug "Sumamed." You can drink alcohol only after completion of treatment and confirmation of recovery. There is evidence that ethanol lowers the body's immune defenses by destroying white bodies. The antibiotic also helps to eliminate the proper microflora. Therefore, after therapy, time is needed to restore strength. Give up alcohol for at least a couple of weeks.
Consumers are of a different opinion. Many patients believe that nothing terrible will happen from such a combination. They boldly drink alcohol during treatment. What this threatens - you already know. If you are assured that nothing will happen, then you should not believe this. Perhaps the person was just lucky that he did not develop serious consequences. A negative effect on organs and systems can be imperceptible. Often a combination of antibiotics and alcohol is compared to a time bomb. Think a few times before drinking during treatment. Be healthy!