Macrolides and alcohol – is it compatible?
Like most antibiotics, macrolides are primarily metabolized in the liver and then excreted via the liver. This can lead to interactions when alcohol is consumed at the same time as macrolide therapy. Macrolides and alcohol are therefore not compatible.
The alcohol must also be metabolized in the liver. Therefore, the substances can influence each other. For example, the macrolides may have an increased level of effectiveness, as the alcohol in the body slows down the breakdown of the active substance. This increases the side effects of the macrolides in particular and can even lead to poisoning symptoms due to too high an effective level in the body. In addition, not only the breakdown of macrolides but also of alcohol can be slowed down, which is why high blood alcohol levels can be reached even with little alcohol consumption.
Alternatives
Alternatives to macrolides are usually offered by other antibiotics.Thus, many bacterial diseases can be treated with penicillins, cephalosporins or fluoroquinolones. However, the effectiveness of the various classes of antibiotics varies for the different groups of bacteria. Macrolides are mainly used when antibiotics with fewer side effects such as penicillins and cephalosporins are no longer effective. As an alternative to macrolides, other strongly effective antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones or carbapenems are therefore often the most suitable.
Is it possible to take it during pregnancy and lactation?
For the administration of the different macrolides during pregnancy and lactation there are not enough data available to make a concrete statement about the intake. For example, it has not been finally clarified whether the active ingredients can be transferred to the child via the placenta (placenta) during pregnancy. It is also not known whether the macrolides can be passed on to the child through breast milk.
In addition, it is not clear whether the active ingredients, if they reach the unborn or breastfed child, will also harm it. Therefore, macrolides should only be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding after very careful consideration of the benefits and risks. and antibiotics during breastfeeding
