Perhaps almost everyone knows that many drugs are undesirable to use together with alcohol, because this is fraught with the development of complications. If in some cases the use of such a cocktail can cost a person only a slight feeling of nausea or an indigestion, then in the case of a combination of Dexamethasone and alcohol, the consequences can be much more dangerous. This will be discussed below.
The concept of the drug
"Dexamethasone" is a glucocorticosteroid hormone (produced in the body by adrenal cells) of synthetic origin with a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect.
In addition, this drug has an effect:
- anti-shock;
- antiallergic;
- anti-toxic;
- immunosuppressive.
Release form
"Dexamethasone" is presented on the pharmaceutical market with a whole range of possible manufactured forms, it happens in the form of:
- ampoules for injection;
- pills
- eye drops;
- eye ointment.
Indications for use
Dexamethasone can be used as an ambulance, and can be used in short and long (in rare cases, life-long) courses.
It is possible to use the drug in the following emergency conditions:
- anaphylactic shock;
- Quincke's edema;
- spasm of the larynx, which can lead to suffocation;
- severe attacks of bronchial asthma;
- collapse of the body - a dangerous condition of the body with a sharp decrease in pressure in the arterial vessels and impaired blood circulation in the brain.
Course administration of the drug is indicated for:
- bone tissue lesions: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthrosis, joint deformation;
- burns of a large surface area of the body;
- injuries to bones and tissues;
- allergic reactions, urticaria;
- blood cancer (leukemia).
The drug is indeed very effective. He has proven himself in medical practice and has been used by doctors for several decades. However, it has a number of serious side effects and contraindications, because of which its possibility of its use is quite limited.
Contraindications
The list of conditions in which the use of dexamethasone is prohibited depends on the method of taking the medicine.
For example, if there is a need for short-term use of the drug, a contraindication, one can say one thing - intolerance to the components of the drug.
If dexamethasone is injected directly into the affected area (for example, the joint), then contraindications will be as follows:
- History of joint surgery.
- Bone fracture in the joint.
- Local inflammation.
- Infection.
- Osteoporosis.
- Injuries.
For external use:
- Ulcers.
- Wounds.
- Cutaneous tuberculosis.
- Skin infections caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi.
For ophthalmic use, contraindications will be as follows:
- Viral, bacterial, fungal infections of the eyes.
- Tuberculosis of the eyes.
- Glaucoma.
- Trachoma.
Compatibility "Dexamethasone" and alcohol
Due to the fact that a huge number of people at least once had to resort to the use of this drug, many of them are concerned about this topic.
The use of "Dexamethasone" with alcohol. Is it possible? The answer to this question is unequivocal - absolutely not! It concerns not even very strong alcoholic drinks (beer, champagne and others).
The fact is that this drug has a systemic effect on the human body, so in some cases it can negatively affect it, causing a number of side effects. Such as:
- nausea, vomiting;
- upset stool;
- pain in the abdomen;
- internal bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract;
- the development of arrhythmia;
- bradycardia - a slowdown in heart rate;
- heart failure development;
- the occurrence of thrombosis - the formation of blood clots in blood vessels; obstructing normal blood flow;
- hallucinations, disorientation in space;
- paranoia, depressive states;
- weight gain, swelling;
- muscle spasm, weakness, lethargy.
The list is pretty impressive. It should be remembered that the use of alcohol and Dexamethasone in one hundred percent of cases will increase their severity.
As noted above, alcohol enhances the effect of the drug. This happens due to the fact that ethanol, as you know, takes a lot of fluid from the body, making all its media more viscous. As a result, the concentration of "Dexamethasone" in the blood rises, which leads to an overdose phenomenon.
This is especially true for those patients who are forced to take the drug for a long time. For this category of persons, the use of Dexamethasone and alcohol at the same time or after a short period of time is especially undesirable.
What forms of release are incompatible with alcohol?
The above information refers to those release forms of "Dexamethasone" that are absorbed into the systemic circulation, namely: injections, tablets.
Ointment and eye drops act only locally, bypassing blood vessels and the gastrointestinal tract, without exerting a general effect on the human body. Therefore, when drinking alcohol and applying these two forms of significant harm to human health will not be done.
The combined use of Dexamethasone and alcohol injections is especially undesirable. After all, the active substance in this case enters directly into the bloodstream, which means it has maximum bioavailability, having a very pronounced effect. And ethyl alcohol, as you know, in high concentrations is found here, in the bloodstream. Thus, Dexamethasone and alcohol are found. It is difficult to say how many symptoms of their dangerous interaction will arise. However, they will appear necessarily.
When the use of dexamethasone for intoxication is necessary
It should be noted that there are situations when the simultaneous use of "Dexamethasone" and alcohol is simply necessary. For example, sometimes doctors are forced to resort to the use of the drug in patients who have received symptoms of alcohol delirium (when a person who abuse alcohol falls into the so-called delirium tremens). In this condition, there is a significant damage to brain cells, which can lead to edema and even death.
"Dexamethasone" in this case is simply vital. It will help to quickly and effectively relieve swelling of brain tissue, preventing the dangerous consequences that could cause large amounts of alcohol drunk by the patient.
Consequences for the body
First of all, the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract suffers from the negative interaction of alcohol and Dexamethasone. This is manifested by symptoms such as:
- pronounced diarrhea;
- vomiting
- stomach ache;
- the appearance on the mucous membrane of bleeding ulcers.
All this leads to severe dehydration, thereby further exacerbating the situation.
After the gastrointestinal tract, the cardiovascular system suffers. The fact is that the combination of alcohol and Dexamethasone leads to electrolyte imbalance, resulting in a loss of potassium in the body. And the lack of this element is dangerous for the development of arrhythmia, increased heart rate, increased pressure. All this increases the risk of developing a hypertensive crisis, which can lead to irreversible changes in the brain and even death.
In addition, there is a huge release of sugar into the blood, which puts a heavy strain on the endocrine system.
The nervous system also suffers from a Dexamethasone cocktail and alcohol. In a person, delusions, confusion, hallucinations and depression can begin.
In addition to all of the above, with simultaneous administration, the development of consequences such as:
- bleeding (uterine, brain);
- the appearance on the skin of a rash, eczema;
- gum disease, bleeding;
- sudden visual impairment or its complete absence;
- the development of osteoporosis.
The time interval between taking the drug and alcohol
Dexamethasone and alcohol. How much can one of them be consumed after applying the other?
To understand this, you need to study the pharmacokinetics of substances in more detail. After using the tablets of the drug, the maximum concentration of the drug is reached after two hours, and when using injectable forms - a few minutes after the administration of "Dexamethasone".
However, regardless of the form of administration, its metabolites are in the body for more than two days, namely 54 hours. That is how much the minimum time interval between the use of "Dexamethasone" and alcohol is.
Special instructions for use
In addition, it should be pointed out that Dexamethasone is a serious drug that cannot be canceled at will, just as you can not prescribe it to yourself.
There are standard treatment regimens for this drug, so prescribe and cancel the drug usually should be smoothly, gradually increasing or decreasing the dosage. As you can see, the treatment regimen is complex and is selected only by the attending physician.
With a sharp withdrawal of the drug, the consequences can be dire. Therefore, it is advisable to refrain from the simultaneous use of Dexamethasone and alcohol several days before and after, as well as during the course of treatment.
Admission Rules
So, I would like to summarize.
Between receptions "Dexamethasone" and alcohol should pass at least three days. Of course, this does not apply to cases where urgent administration of the drug is vital.
It is unacceptable for himself to prescribe this drug. Especially when drinking alcohol.
It is unacceptable to abruptly cancel the drug. Especially for the purpose that any event is ahead and I would like to drink one or another glass of wine or other alcohol on it.
Dexamethasone and alcohol are incompatible in any case. At any strength of the drink and at any dosage of the drug.
Conclusion
Is it possible to drink alcohol and Dexamethasone at the same time? After all, this can lead to an increase in the severity of side symptoms, the occurrence of an overdose, as well as an increased risk of death.
Especially dangerous is the compatibility of alcohol and Dexamethasone injections. With this combination, the risk of developing dangerous consequences increases several times.
After alcohol, "Dexamethasone" is permissible to use only after a few days. Only in this case the harm to health will be minimal.
Everyone should remember that Dexamethasone and alcohol are a life-threatening cocktail.