Suppose you’ve recently suffered from the problematic effects of a bacterial infection. In that case, your doctors have more than likely given you a regimen of antibiotics to treat the problem. While medical providers must give their patients a list of specific health instructions regarding the medication they receive, very few people typically read through said instructions. Many others may also forget some of the verbal instructions from their doctors. Because of this, it’s likely that many don’t understand the importance of avoiding alcoholic beverages while on antibiotics. Thankfully, our team of medical experts here at OptiMed Hospitalists is here to explore the issue.
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What Are Antibiotics?
In short, antibiotics- also known as antibacterial agents– are potent medications designed to slow down or outright stop the reproduction of harmful bacteria that cause bacterial diseases. While the human body is naturally equipped with white blood cells to help combat harmful bacteria and prevent or cure illness, sometimes the number of foreign bacteria is too extensive for the body to handle on its own. As a result, doctors prescribe antibiotics to aid in the process.
There are a massive range of antibiotics available to help treat an array of medical conditions, such as;
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Bacterial pneumonia
- Strep throat
- Whooping cough
- Ear infections
- Skin infections, such as acne
- Sepsis
- Sexually transmitted diseases
What Are the Side Effects of Mixing Alcohol with Antibiotics
While most antibiotics are relatively safe when used correctly, some may produce a range of problematic side effects, including upset stomach, rashes, nausea, yeast infections, and diarrhea. However, said side effects can be strongly exacerbated if alcohol is added to the mix. Additionally, combining alcohol with antibiotics can easily trigger a range of other problems, including dehydration, poor sleep, and even suppression of the immune system. These factors can make it much more difficult for the body to combat the infection the antibiotics intend to treat in the first place. Some antibiotics can also lead to severe liver damage when combined with alcohol.
Aside from the side effects above, the combination of alcohol with the specific antimicrobial agent metronidazole (Flagyl) can produce what is commonly known as disulfiram-like reactions, causing;
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Flushed skin
- Headaches
Aditional central nervous system (CNS) side effects of mixing alcohol and antibiotics like metronidazole include;
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Sedation
Are you currently searching for access to a team of trusted, expert medical providers that are compassionate, engaged, and dedicated to providing you with the best care possible? Please consider contacting us at OptiMed Hospitalists today to learn about our innovative services and everything we can do for you.
Does Alcohol Affect How Antibiotics Work
While mixing antibiotics and alcohol won’t usually weaken the effectiveness of the antibiotics themselves, the reaction between the two can hinder the body’s ability to heal itself against infection and can cause the various side effects noted above. However, because some antibiotics are broken down by the same enzymes that break down alcohol in the body, changes in the enzymes may alter how the drugs are broken down– depending on how much alcohol one ingests.
For example, suppose a large amount of alcohol is consumed in a short period. In that case, certain enzymes won’t work as well when breaking down some antibiotics for metabolism, leading to higher levels of the antibiotic in the body. This situation could lead to greater levels of drug toxicity and more intense side effects.
In contrast, chronic daily alcohol use can lead to induced enzyme levels, which means drugs are broken down more quickly in the body, and the levels of antibiotics in the blood will decrease. This situation can result in your infection not being treated effectively and trigger harsher side effects.
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The Danger of Consuming Alcohol with Antibiotics
Alcohol and antibiotics have individual side effects that impact a person’s mental state, behavior, and overall health. Because of this, the two substances should never be mixed, especially since the combination of some types of antibiotics and alcohol can trigger dangerous physical reactions and even damage vital organs, including the liver and kidneys. Additionally, as noted in the above section, consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period or chronically over several days can significantly impact how some antibiotics function. Because of this, the infection you’re fighting against may not be adequately addressed and continue to worsen, leading to the chance of significant health risks.
Never Skip a Dose of Antibiotics
As a result of the above information, some people may be strongly tempted to skip a dose of their antibiotics to enjoy a drink, but this is a terrible decision. You should never miss a dose or day of your antibiotic regimen until you complete your prescribed antibiotic course. First of all, skipping a single dose won’t protect you from the problematic side effects that come with mixing antibiotics and alcohol, as it takes several days for the medication to work its way out of your body. Secondly, skipping doses of antibiotics can give the infection in your body time to strengthen itself and continue to spread throughout your system.
Related: OptiMed Hospitalists: Our Story
Final Thoughts
It’s essential for those experiencing a bacterial infection to talk openly with their doctor about the dangers of alcohol use when antibiotics are being prescribed. Please keep all of the above information in mind, and be sure you fully understand the range of potential risks that come with combining the two substances so you can avoid significant impacts on your health and functioning.
For more information on essential health topics and to access the services of top-quality providers of both in-patient and out-patient medical assistance, please consider contacting our team of experts at OptiMed Hospitalists at (704) 997-5525, or care@OptiMedDoctors.com today. Also, consider browsing our website for a comprehensive list of our medical services and locations.
Are you in need of a 100% committed, innovative, trustworthy, and engaged team of medical professionals to provide you with quality care? Please consider reaching out to our team of experts at OptiMed Hospitalists to learn about everything we can do to help and find a list of our primary services and locations.