How Long After Eating Cephalosporin Can I Drink Alcohol?

Mondo Health Updated on 2024-02-23

Drinking alcohol is essential during the Chinese New Year, however, while adding to the festive atmosphere, it is important to pay attention to drinking in moderation and not being too greedy. Because alcohol is obviously harmful to the human body, frequent long-term or large intake of alcoholic beverages will cause harm to the digestive system, metabolic system, and nervous system, and alcohol also contains large calories, resulting in obesity. In addition to the above-mentioned well-known hazards, it is important to note this year that due to the unstable weather and the flow of people during the festival, some people may suffer from colds, and if you take cold medicines, especially cephalosporin antibiotics, then you should pay special attention to drinking.

An encounter that could lead to tragedy.

In daily life, it is important to have a safe combination of medication and diet. The health warning that "you can't eat cephalosporin after drinking" may not be unfamiliar to many people, but the reasons behind it and the potential harm still need to be deeply understood.

1. Scientific explanation of disulfiram-like reactions.

Some components of cephalosporin antibiotics (e.g., cefradine, cefazoloxime, etc.) interact with acetaldehyde, which is produced during alcohol metabolism, causing a reaction called "disulfiram-like".

Normally, alcohol is first converted to acetaldehyde in the liver by alcohol dehydrogenase, which is then further oxidized into harmless acetic acid and excreted from the body. However, some cephalosporins inhibit acetaldehyde dehydrogenase activity, resulting in acetaldehyde accumulation in the body and inability to convert rapidly.

2. Symptoms and consequences of disulfiram-like reactions.

When acetaldehyde accumulates, a series of severe and rapidly occurring physiological reactions (which vary depending on the individual's constitution, alcohol consumption, and cephalosporin species, but should not be taken lightly), include but are not limited to:

Facial tidal. Red heart palpitations, rapid heartbeat.

Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting.

Difficulty breathing, chest tightness.

Blood pressure drops, and even shock.

In severe cases, it can lead to loss of consciousness, myocardial infarction, or acute liver injury, respiratory failure and a series of life-threatening conditions.

3. Precautions for drinking alcohol and using cephalosporin antibiotics.

In summary, the contraindication between alcohol and cephalosporin antibiotics is not a simple food issue, but a serious medical issue related to life and health. Therefore, in order to protect the health and safety of yourself and others, you must follow your doctor's advice and stay away from alcohol during medication to avoid unnecessary risks and injuries.

How Long After Eating Cephalosporin Can I Drink Alcohol?

After taking a cephalosporin antibiotic, it is generally recommended to wait at least 7 days or so before drinking alcohol. This is because the drug may still affect the activity of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes in the body during and after cephalosporin is used and for some time after discontinuation, resulting in a blockage of alcohol metabolism and a disulfiram-like reaction.

However, everyone's physical condition, type of drug, and metabolic rate are different, so the specific safe time to drink cannot be generalized.

The safest course of action is to avoid alcohol before, during, and after starting cephalosporin antibiotics and consult your doctor for professional guidance if needed.

Publish a collection of dragon cards to share millions of cash

Related Pages