Can I drink alcohol within 24 hours after taking cephalosporin?

Nov 28, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Cephalosporin antibiotics can interact with alcohol, causing a reaction known as a disulfiram-like reaction. This reaction inhibits the activity of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase in the body, preventing acetaldehyde from being normally metabolized into acetic acid and excreted. The accumulation of acetaldehyde in the body can trigger a series of toxic symptoms, including facial flushing and conjunctival congestion.

Generally speaking, cephalosporins belong to antibiotics, and common dosage forms include Cephalexin Capsules, Cephradine Capsules, and Cefixime Tablets. Alcohol consumption is prohibited for 24 hours after taking cephalosporin drugs. Detailed explanation is as follows:

A type of interaction known as a disulfiram-like reaction can occur between cephalosporin medications and alcohol. This reaction inhibits the activity of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase in the body, preventing acetaldehyde from being normally metabolized into acetic acid and excreted. Accumulation of acetaldehyde in the body can trigger a series of poisoning symptoms, including facial flushing, conjunctival congestion, blurred vision, severe throbbing of blood vessels in the head and neck or pulsating headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, sweating, dry mouth, chest pain, myocardial infarction, acute heart failure, difficulty breathing, and others. Therefore, to ensure patient safety, alcohol consumption should be avoided for at least 24 hours after taking cephalosporin medications.

For your own health and safety, please strictly follow medical advice and avoid alcohol consumption during medication treatment and shortly after discontinuation.

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