Can I drink white liquor during immunotherapy?

Nov 06, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
In general, patients should not drink alcohol during immunotherapy. During immunotherapy, a patient's immune system is being modulated or enhanced, and alcohol may affect the absorption, distribution, and metabolism of immunoglobulins or other immunotherapeutic agents, potentially reducing treatment efficacy. Moreover, alcohol may interact with immunotherapy drugs, increasing the risk of adverse reactions.

Generally, patients should not drink alcohol during immunotherapy. The detailed explanation is as follows:

During immunotherapy, a patient's immune system is being modulated or enhanced. Alcohol may interfere with the absorption, distribution, and metabolism of immunoglobulins or other immunotherapeutic agents, potentially reducing treatment efficacy. Moreover, alcohol may interact with immunotherapy drugs, increasing the risk of adverse reactions. Alcohol metabolism places additional burden on the liver, and since immunotherapy drugs are also metabolized and cleared by the liver, drinking alcohol during treatment may exacerbate liver damage. Long-term and excessive alcohol consumption can suppress the immune system and impair immune function, which contradicts the goals of immunotherapy.

Patients should follow their doctor’s advice, maintain regular daily routines, and adopt healthy dietary habits to ensure the smooth progress of immunotherapy and achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes.

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