Alcohol and Antibiotics - Reasons Behind Such Health Issues

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Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) February 16, 2012 --

As per a number of theories and reports, it has been found out that simultaneous consumption of alcohol and antibiotics can cause major health problems. The categories of such drugs also include thousands of other prescription drugs that are not even antibiotics. In the US, approximately 70% of the population consumes alcohol on a frequent basis, whereas up to 10% of adults are regular drinkers. The chance of consuming alcohol and antibiotics simultaneously is high in such situations. Hence, it is important for the alcohol consumers to understand the possible reactions and side effects of alcohol and antibiotics on their health.

The basic reaction after alcohol intake starts with the lipid and protein interaction in the body. Alcohol interacts with the components of lipids and proteins on the liver cell membrane, which in turn inhibits the lipid or fat metabolism processed by the liver cells. As a result, the fatty acids start accumulating in the liver cell and cause enlargement of the liver. Such situation is clinically termed as the fatty liver and results in the reduction in the oxygen assimilation process and the nutrient supply to the liver cells, which ultimately makes the liver cells inefficient.

The reason behind such health issue starts due to the excessive consumption of alcohol. As alcohol is metabolized in the body, it forms acetaldehyde, which is a toxic component for humans. Furthermore, the acetaldehyde components are oxidized and form acetic acid. Acetic acid is non-toxic and can be easily excreted by the excretory system. But when a person consumes alcohol and antibiotics simultaneously, the result is different.

If a person is advised to take antibiotics such as Metronidazole, his body starts tolerating the toxic components of the drug. The toxins of Metronidazole also results in inhibiting the ADH production in the body. ADH is the key catalyst that accelerates the process of acetaldehyde metabolism. In case the person has an alcohol abuse history and takes prescribed Metronidazole, then the toxic components of acetaldehyde accumulates in the bloodstream and liver. As a result, the person may show serious health issues and trouble in vital organs such as pancreas, larynx, esophagus and heart.

Several medical reports claim that intake of alcohol in small amount will benefit your health. But, a person with the habit of excess alcohol consumption has a high risk of major health issues. Alcohol and antibiotics consumption might result in severe health disorders such as heart attack, gallbladder stones, miscarriage and high blood pressure. Due to the excessive accumulation of acetaldehyde toxic components in the body, a person may also face kidney dysfunction. In addition, the body may become more susceptible for cancerous diseases. Although there are few antibiotics that get metabolized in the liver, they also do interact with alcohol components. Therefore, the simultaneous consumption of alcohol and antibiotics badly affect liver and the metabolic rate in the body.

So is it true that alcohol makes an antibiotic ineffective. Possibly, the effect of a drug can be altered due to the excess toxin in the body. As alcohol consumption affects liver, the primary metabolic organ, the prescribed antibiotic may show adverse effects within the body. This is because of the lowering metabolic rate in the liver, which leads to the ineffectiveness of the drug. Liver, being the primary organ to metabolize and detoxify the toxic components of antibiotics, fails to function when excess consumption of alcohol affects its cells and tissue. Hence, our blood stream carries the non-metabolized toxic components of the antibiotics and each of the vital organs receives the toxic blood. So, the prescribed antibiotics, instead of healing, cause harm to the patients.

Keeping such issues in mind, most of the physicians prescribe drugs while advising the patients to discontinue alcohol during the medication. Although consuming alcohol and antibiotics may not be lethal at first, it will surely affect the health later. It also depends on the drug interaction and the prolong effect of the antibiotics. As per a study, alcohol and antibiotics consumption more likely aggravates the health of older group of people than the younger ones. Therefore, all seniors should avoid simultaneous alcohol and antibiotics intake as it may become life threatening as well.
Alcohol and Antibiotics: Conclusion
Since the possible health issues of the consumption of alcohol and antibiotics depend upon the prescribed drug, patients with an alcohol abuse history should ensure to consult their physicians before taking any non-prescribed antibiotic.

alcoholism     Antibiotics abuse