Penicillin and alcohol
In general, there is no interaction between penicillin and alcohol. The effect of penicillin therefore remains the same, it is neither intensified nor weakened. Nevertheless, it is often not recommended to drink alcohol while taking antibiotics.
This is usually based on the assumption that while taking antibiotics the immune system is still busy with the pathogen. Since excessive alcohol consumption damages the immune system, alcohol should be avoided during a bacterial disease if possible. In addition, both the antibiotics and the alcohol can affect the stomach and cause gastritis.
If alcohol is avoided while taking antibiotics, the stomach is spared and the probability of developing gastritis is reduced. During antibiotic therapy, alcohol and sports should be avoided. Physical rest is recommended for infections of any kind.
Sport during an infection can lead to insufficient healing of the disease. The pathogen sometimes even persists unnoticed in the body. In the worst case, this can lead to myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or endocarditis (inflammation of the inner lining of the heart). These are both partly life-threatening clinical pictures and require a long therapy. Myocarditis can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, while endocarditis can result in herniated valve defects.
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin belongs to the group of aminopenicillins. These are a modified form of penicillins, but are also effective against most Gram-positive pathogens and a few Gram-negative pathogens. Aminopenicillins have the same mechanism of action as penicillin.
They can also lead to an allergic reaction and must therefore not be given in the case of a penicillin allergy. Amoxicillin is also often prescribed in the form of juice for diseases of the tonsils or throat in children. A special feature of amoxicillin exists in relation to whistling glandular fever.
The whistling glandular fever can appear like a purulent tonsillitis. Thus a reddened throat, purulent tonsils and sore throat can be found, possibly accompanied by fever. Since tonsillitis is caused by streptococci, it is often wrongly treated with amoxicillin.
Since whistling glandular fever, also known as “kissing-disease” or mononucleosis is a viral infection, amoxicillin is not effective here. A drug exanthema occurs when taking the drug. This means that the affected person gets a red skin rash all over the body.
If the rash appears, the therapy should be discontinued. There is no drug therapy against the whistling glandular fever. Therefore the disease must be cured with bed rest alone.
It is important to know that swelling of the liver and spleen can occur. Therefore, no sports should be practiced and no children should be allowed to play or do martial arts. The swelling causes the organs under the ribs to protrude. As a result, these are less protected and injuries with rupture can occur. The rupture leads to life-threatening internal bleeding.
