Alcohol and antibiotics - consequences and doctor's advice

There are many different opinions regarding the acceptability of using ethanol to treat bacterial infections. Many people look to the Internet for information on what is rumor and what is true. People are often interested in how long it takes for the active ingredient of the antibiotic to leave the body, and when you can drink alcohol after taking the last pill. People often ask what will happen if these two substances are taken together. This interest is related to the reluctance of many people to turn down the pleasure of a glass of wine or a bottle of beer with dinner, even while treating a bacterial infection.

what are antibiotics

These are synthetic or natural substances that have good antibacterial effects. They are used to treat various infectious processes, since the active ingredients of antibacterial drugs effectively destroy pathogenic microorganisms (bactericidal) or prevent their reproduction (bacteriostatic). Some drugs in this group can have both effects, depending on the dose taken. The indications for prescribing these drugs are bacterial infections, and only a doctor can prescribe them.The main condition for effective treatment is strict compliance with all doctor's recommendations. The first step in treatment is to stop drinking. Many people are confused by this warning. But when the disease threatens to become chronic or develop serious complications, a course of treatment with these drugs is needed, which lasts only 5-10 days and up to a week. It’s not a long time to sacrifice alcohol for your health.

Why don't doctors recommend drinking alcohol during antimicrobial treatment?

Doctors strongly advise against drinking alcohol if the patient is being treated for a bacterial infection. Additionally, alcoholic beverages should not be consumed with any medications, as their mixed use can lead to disorders of body organs and systems. It is worth mentioning several reasons why doctors have the right to prohibit patients from drinking alcohol during antibiotic treatment.

Slow elimination of half-life products

Mentioning alcohol and antibiotics in the same phrase causes many people to think about the occurrence of acute side effects with fatal consequences. Antimicrobials can cause significant disulfiram-like reactions when these two substances are used together. This reaction includes the following symptoms:

• colic;
• tremor;
• nausea;
• Headache;
• facial redness;
• stomach cramps;
• Puzzled;
• increased sweating;
• increased heart rate;
• Feeling like I can't breathe.

The onset and exacerbation of such symptoms are directly related to the response to ethanol to antimicrobial agents. The pills taken slow down the breakdown of ethanol into safe substances, and the dangerous toxin acetaldehyde can build up in the blood, causing serious poisoning. This is why experts categorically do not recommend continuing to drink alcohol while undergoing antibacterial treatment.Incorrect treatment responses are also possible. Ethanol has a slowing effect on antibiotics: they lose their activity, causing their protective capabilities to decrease and the body to be at the mercy of the bacteria.

increased toxicity

Using ethanol to treat infections poses a significant risk to the liver. The active ingredients of antibacterial agents accumulate in the efferent bile ducts, blocking them, while alcohol interferes with the process of fatty acid synthesis in liver cells. This increased toxic effect can cause liver disorders. The negative effects that occur when medications are mixed with alcoholic beverages can affect other vital organs. What they most commonly suffer from are:

• kidney;
• brain;
• Cardiovascular System;
• gastrointestinal tract.

weakened immune system

To cope with infection, an immune response is required. If it is violated, the disease will be delayed for a long time. However, drinks containing ethanol during metabolism cause the defense system to weaken, so recovery takes a long time. In addition, the following negative phenomena will occur:The concomitant use of antibiotics and alcohol can result in less effective treatment and harmful health consequences. Therefore, you should forget to drink alcoholic beverages while receiving a course of antibiotics.Ethanol disrupts nighttime sleep, thereby promoting cytokine production. These are specific proteins that activate immune responses to pathogens. Their deficiency can cause immune system function to slow down.

Decreased therapeutic effectiveness of antibacterial drugs

The liver uses special enzymes (proteins) called acetaldehyde dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase to break down antibiotics and ethanol. If you use both substances at the same time, the result will be one of two options:Drinking regularly for several days (a classic case of alcoholism) can trigger the opposite. Enzymes break down medications more quickly, resulting in less material being needed for recovery in the body. This can lead to a slower healing process and, in some cases, even the development of resistance to antimicrobial drugs.When a large amount of alcoholic beverages are consumed in a short period of time and enter the body, liver enzymes begin to metabolize ethanol, and the decomposition of the drug slows down. The result is a rapid increase in the amount of active pharmaceutical ingredients in the blood. This can lead to a slower healing process and, in some cases, an increase in antimicrobial resistance.

Increased likelihood of drug side effects

In some cases, different classes of antibiotics may cause the following side effects:

• allergic reactions (such as skin rashes);
• Oral candidiasis;
• Development of digestive disorders: diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting;
• Dysbiosis occurs due to disruption of intestinal flora;
• Acute headache, dizziness, lack of sleep at night, and daytime drowsiness;
• Cardiovascular system dysfunction;
• Changes in the urinary organs (oliguria or frequent urination) and the musculoskeletal system (myalgia and arthralgia).

If a patient consumes alcoholic beverages while being treated for a bacterial infection, the likelihood of unpleasant reactions increases. This again indicates that you should not combine the drug with alcoholic beverages.

How long after stopping antibiotics can I drink alcohol?

The half-life after taking the drug is at least 2 days. Moreover, if the patient has already received a course of antibiotics, this time is not enough for him. You need to wait at least a week before drinking alcohol. This waiting period is necessary to completely remove antibiotic residues from the patient's body and to avoid a possible reaction in the patient - a disulfiram-like effect. Depending on the drug group, the waiting times are as follows:

• People with no history of chronic disease and who have not received chemotherapy or radiation therapy in the past 12 months can drink light alcohol for 24 hours after completing antibiotic treatment.
• Patients taking metronidazole should avoid alcohol for 2 days after their last injection or dose.
• After completing a course of tinidazole, alcohol consumption remains prohibited for 72 hours. Patients with a history of hepatitis or cirrhosis should avoid alcohol for at least 2 weeks after completion of antibiotic therapy.

Ethanol is found in mouthwashes, sprays, natural herbs, and dietary supplements. Therefore, whether it is recommended to take them during or immediately after antibiotic treatment should be discussed with your doctor.

Which antibacterial drugs can be taken with alcohol?

There are currently no in-depth studies confirming the health risks associated with the simultaneous use of ethanol and medications that relieve bacterial infections. There was an experiment on mice. It is performed with azithromycin, which is part of a group of antibiotics used to treat many diseases. Research results show that its effectiveness is not reduced when taken with alcohol. However, azithromycin itself is a fairly strong drug and can sometimes cause serious side effects, especially liver damage.Phage. It is allowed to take this medication with alcoholic beverages as the effects of their simultaneous use have not been fully studied. To determine their possible interactions, time and accumulated statistical data are required. However, to avoid trouble, you should consult your doctor before mixing phage with alcohol.There are many other medications used to treat bacterial infections that have not been shown to interact negatively with alcohol. Notes for the 5 most commonly prescribed medications did not contain any contraindications directly related to ethanol. These include medicines containing:

• Cephalexin.
• Amoxicillin.
• Ciprofloxacin.
• Azithromycin.
• Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid.

You can also take ethanol-containing cough and cold medicines with these antibacterial agents. However, you need to understand that the presence of alcohol in the body together with the active ingredients of antibiotics increases the load on all systems and causes damage to liver tissue. So, is it worth the risk of mixing the two substances?Which drugs should not be taken with alcohol?There are several antibiotic drugs that can interact directly with ethanol. During treatment, any amount of alcohol is strictly prohibited. These include medicines containing the following active ingredients:

• Linezolid. This product is effective against bacteria that are resistant to other types of antibiotics. This medicine is used to treat skin infections.
• Fluoroquinolones. Due to the direct effect of the drugs on the central nervous system, their combination with alcohol is very dangerous. Patients who make a mistake may slip into a coma.
• Aminoglycosides. These drugs are even incompatible with other drugs, especially drinks containing ethanol.
• Cycloserine. Used to treat lung infections and tuberculosis. Combination with alcohol can lead to the development of convulsive syndrome.
• Lincosamides. Such antibiotics can have negative effects on the liver and central nervous system when consumed with alcoholic beverages.
• Tinidazole 500 mg. Antibacterial drugs used to destroy single-cell pathological microorganisms. Included in the group of drugs prescribed for relief of Helicobacter pylori disease in patients.
• Metronidazole 250 mg. An antibacterial drug used to treat vaginal and tooth infections. It is added to ointments and gels used to treat bedsores and trophic ulcers.
• Cephalosporins can cause severe alcohol poisoning.

Drinking alcohol during treatment with these drugs can cause a sharp "jump" in blood pressure. Even topical medications can cause adverse reactions.

What if they are used at the same time?

Conscious unwillingness to listen to the doctor's advice or lack of concentration will cause antibiotics and alcohol to enter the stomach at the same time. People who consume dangerous mixtures do not necessarily feel sick immediately. If this occurs, the situation will need to be monitored. If no negative reactions occur, there is no need to seek medical help but self-help:

• Drink 1. 5-2 liters of dilute potassium permanganate solution.
• Perform artificial vomiting.
• Take intestinal adsorbent (activated charcoal can be ground finely and diluted with water at a rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight).
• Call your doctor and tell him or her that the last pill was removed and explain why and when this happened. Your doctor will decide if the dose needs to be adjusted on a case-by-case basis.

If you have the opportunity to donate blood for analysis, that would be great. The results will help understand whether the combination of antibacterial drugs and ethanol negatively affects blood cell counts. But if, shortly after a dangerous combination, significant negative symptoms appear in the digestive, cardiovascular or nervous system, it is better to call an ambulance. This is especially true for people with a history of allergies or diabetes, as their bodies may react in unpredictable ways due to increased sensitivity.It must be remembered that the combined use of alcohol and antibiotics is very dangerous, since it increases the load on the body's organs, especially the liver. You can drink a little alcohol as there are no dangerous consequences or side effects. But it's best to start with a course of antibiotics and then relax.