How does atenolol work in the body. What are the long-term effects of taking atenolol. Can you consume alcohol while on atenolol treatment. How does atenolol compare to other heart medications. Is atenolol effective for preventing migraines.

Understanding Atenolol: Mechanism of Action and Uses

Atenolol belongs to a class of medications known as beta blockers. These drugs work by altering the body’s response to certain nerve impulses, particularly in the heart. The primary effects of atenolol include:

• Slowing down heart rate
• Facilitating easier blood pumping throughout the body
• Potentially preventing migraines by relaxing blood vessels or reducing activity in the visual cortex

How quickly does atenolol take effect? For high blood pressure, atenolol begins working within about 3 hours, but it may take up to 2 weeks to reach its full effect. When used for migraine prevention, several weeks may pass before noticeable improvements occur.

Atenolol for Migraine Prevention

While the exact mechanism of atenolol in migraine prevention is not fully understood, it’s believed to work by:

1. Relaxing blood vessels involved in migraine attacks
2. Reducing activity in the visual cortex, where migraines are thought to originate

Is atenolol effective for all types of migraines? While atenolol has shown efficacy in preventing various types of migraines, individual responses may vary. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the most suitable treatment approach for your specific case.

Long-Term Use of Atenolol: Safety and Considerations

Atenolol is generally considered safe for long-term use. For individuals taking it to manage heart conditions or prevent migraines, long-term use often yields the best results. However, regular monitoring is crucial, particularly for those using atenolol for migraine prevention.

Are there any potential risks associated with long-term atenolol use? While atenolol is generally well-tolerated, some individuals may experience side effects. Regular check-ups and blood pressure monitoring can help identify and address any concerns that may arise during long-term treatment.

Regular Monitoring During Long-Term Atenolol Use

To ensure the safe and effective use of atenolol over an extended period, healthcare providers typically recommend:

• Regular blood pressure checks
• Periodic blood tests to assess kidney and liver function
• Monitoring for any changes in heart rate or rhythm

Atenolol and Alcohol: Potential Interactions and Risks

Many patients wonder about the safety of consuming alcohol while taking atenolol. While moderate alcohol consumption may be permissible for some individuals, it’s crucial to understand the potential risks and interactions.

Can you drink alcohol while taking atenolol? While not strictly prohibited, combining alcohol with atenolol can potentially lead to increased side effects or reduced effectiveness of the medication. It’s advisable to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice based on your specific health condition and treatment plan.

Potential Risks of Combining Atenolol and Alcohol

Some potential risks of consuming alcohol while on atenolol include:

• Enhanced blood pressure-lowering effects, potentially leading to dizziness or fainting
• Increased risk of dehydration
• Potential interference with the medication’s effectiveness
• Exacerbation of certain side effects, such as fatigue or drowsiness

How much alcohol is safe to consume while taking atenolol? The safe amount of alcohol, if any, varies depending on individual factors such as overall health, dosage of atenolol, and other medications being taken. It’s best to discuss specific guidelines with your healthcare provider.

Comparing Atenolol to Other Heart Medications

Atenolol is one of several medications used to manage high blood pressure and heart conditions. Understanding how it compares to other options can help patients and healthcare providers make informed treatment decisions.

How does atenolol compare to other beta blockers? Atenolol is as effective as other beta blockers in reducing blood pressure but may have fewer side effects due to its selective action on the heart. Other beta blockers, like propranolol, affect both the heart and other parts of the body.

Atenolol vs. Other Classes of Heart Medications

Besides beta blockers, other classes of medications used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions include:

• ACE inhibitors (e.g., ramipril, lisinopril)
• Angiotensin receptor blockers (e.g., candesartan)
• Calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine)
• Diuretics (e.g., furosemide)

Which medication is most suitable for treating high blood pressure? The choice of medication depends on factors such as age, ethnicity, and individual health status. For example:

• Individuals under 55, not of African Caribbean or Black African origin, are often prescribed ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers
• Those 55 or older, or of African Caribbean or Black African origin, typically start with calcium channel blockers

Atenolol for Migraine Prevention: Efficacy and Alternatives

Atenolol is one of several beta blockers used in migraine prevention. Its efficacy in this area has been well-documented, but it’s important to consider how it compares to other options.

How effective is atenolol in preventing migraines compared to other medications? Atenolol, along with other beta blockers like metoprolol, propranolol, and nadolol, has shown good efficacy in migraine prevention. However, propranolol is often the first-choice beta blocker for this purpose.

Alternative Medications for Migraine Prevention

Besides beta blockers, other medications used for migraine prevention include:

• Amitriptyline
• Sodium valproate
• Gabapentin
• Topiramate (approved for adults and children 16 and older)

Which migraine prevention medication is most suitable for an individual patient? The choice of medication depends on various factors, including the patient’s age, overall health, frequency and severity of migraines, and potential side effects. Consultation with a healthcare provider is crucial for determining the most appropriate treatment approach.

Atenolol and Surgery: Important Considerations

If you’re taking atenolol and scheduled for surgery, it’s crucial to inform your healthcare team about your medication regimen. This is particularly important if you’ll be undergoing general anesthesia or a major operation.

Should atenolol be stopped before surgery? In some cases, doctors may advise stopping atenolol 24 hours before surgery. This is because the combination of atenolol and certain anesthetics can potentially lower blood pressure too much.

Preoperative Management of Atenolol

When preparing for surgery while on atenolol:

• Inform all healthcare providers involved in your care about your atenolol use
• Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding whether to continue or pause atenolol use
• Discuss any concerns or questions about the potential effects of atenolol on your surgery with your healthcare team

How soon after surgery can atenolol be resumed? The timing for resuming atenolol after surgery depends on various factors, including the type of surgery and your overall health status. Your healthcare provider will provide specific instructions for restarting your medication.

Atenolol and Lifestyle Considerations

While atenolol is an effective medication for managing various health conditions, it’s important to consider how it might impact different aspects of daily life.

Atenolol and Sexual Health

Some individuals taking atenolol report changes in their sexual function. While not a common side effect, some people experience:

• Decreased sex drive
• Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection (in men)

Can atenolol cause sexual side effects? While some individuals report sexual side effects, there isn’t enough evidence to definitively link these issues to atenolol use. If you experience changes in sexual function while taking atenolol, it’s important to discuss this with your healthcare provider.

Atenolol and Physical Activity

Taking atenolol doesn’t mean you need to avoid physical activity or sports. In fact, regular exercise can be beneficial for managing blood pressure and overall cardiovascular health.

Is it safe to exercise while taking atenolol? Generally, it’s safe and beneficial to exercise while taking atenolol. However, be aware that:

• Atenolol may affect your heart rate response during exercise
• Some competitive sports organizations may have restrictions on atenolol use

Always consult with your healthcare provider about any exercise regimen while taking atenolol, especially if you’re planning to engage in high-intensity activities.

Atenolol and Contraception

For individuals using hormonal contraceptives, it’s important to consider potential interactions with atenolol.

Does atenolol affect the effectiveness of contraceptives? Atenolol doesn’t directly interfere with the effectiveness of contraceptives. However, some hormonal contraceptives, such as combined pills and patches, may not be recommended for individuals with high blood pressure.

If you’re using hormonal contraceptives and taking atenolol, it’s crucial to:

• Discuss your contraceptive choices with your healthcare provider
• Be aware that severe vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours may affect the absorption of contraceptive pills
• Consider alternative contraceptive methods if necessary

By understanding these lifestyle considerations, individuals taking atenolol can better manage their treatment and maintain their overall quality of life. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance regarding atenolol use and its potential impacts on daily activities.

Common questions about atenolol – NHS

How does atenolol work?

Atenolol is a type of medicine called a beta blocker.

Like other beta blockers, atenolol works by changing the way your body responds to some nerve impulses, including in the heart.

It slows down your heart rate and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.

We do not fully understand how atenolol prevents migraines. It may work by relaxing the blood vessels involved or by reducing activity in the visual cortex. This is the part of the brain where migraines are believed to start.

How long does atenolol take to work?

Atenolol starts to work after about 3 hours to reduce high blood pressure, but it can take up to 2 weeks to reach its full effect.

You may not feel any different when you take atenolol for high blood pressure, but this does not mean it’s not working. It’s important to keep taking your medicine.

For migraines, it may take several weeks for atenolol to start making a real difference, so keep taking it.

Are there any long-term side effects?

Atenolol is generally safe to take for a long time.

If you’re taking it for a heart condition or to prevent migraines, it works best when you take it long term.

You’ll need to have your blood pressure checked regularly if you’re taking atenolol for a long time for migraines.

How does atenolol compare with other heart medicines?

Atenolol works as well as other beta blockers for reducing blood pressure. But it’s less likely to cause side effects because it works mainly on the heart.

Other beta blockers, like propranolol, work on your heart and affect other parts of your body, too.

There are lots of other medicines to lower your blood pressure and treat chest pain. They work in a different way from beta blockers and include:

• ACE inhibitors – for example, ramipril and lisinopril
• angiotensin receptor blockers – for example, candesartan
• calcium channel blockers – for example, amlodipine
• medicines that make you pee more (diuretics) – for example, furosemide

Beta blockers are not usually the first choice treatment for high blood pressure. The medicine your doctor prescribes will depend on your age and ethnicity.

If you’re under 55, and you’re not of African Caribbean or Black African origin, you’ll usually be offered an ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker.

If you’re 55 or older, or you’re any age and of African Caribbean or Black African origin, you’ll usually be offered a calcium channel blocker.

You may have to try other medicines if you get side effects.

Many people need to take a combination of different medicines to lower their blood pressure.

How does atenolol compare with other medicines for preventing migraine?

Atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol and nadolol are all beta blockers, and they work well in preventing migraines. But most doctors prescribe propranolol.

There are some other medicines that are known to prevent migraines, but they’re not officially approved in the UK. They include amitriptyline, sodium valproate and gabapentin, and may have different side effects.

Topiramate can also be used to prevent migraines but it has not been officially approved for migraine for children under the age of 16.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist which medicine is best for you.

Will I need to stop taking atenolol before surgery?

Tell your doctor that you’re taking atenolol if you’re going to be put to sleep (using general anaesthetic) or you’re having any kind of major operation.

They may advise you to stop taking atenolol for 24 hours before surgery. This is because atenolol can lower your blood pressure too much when it’s combined with some anaesthetics.

Will it affect my sex life?

Some people on atenolol say their sex drive goes down, and some men find they cannot get an erection. But this is not a common side effect and there’s not enough evidence to say for sure that atenolol is causing it.

If you’re having problems with your sex life, talk to your doctor.

Do I need to avoid playing sports?

You do not need to stop playing sports if you take atenolol. Regular exercise is good for you because it lowers blood pressure by keeping your heart and blood vessels in good condition.

Be aware, though, that in some sports atenolol is not allowed if you’re competing at a high level.

Will it affect my contraception?

Atenolol will not stop your contraception working. But some types of hormonal methods of contraception, like the combined pill and contraceptive patch, are not usually recommended if you have high blood pressure.

Talk to your doctor if you’re taking or using a hormonal contraceptive.

If atenolol makes you vomit or have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Look on the pill packet to find out what to do.

Find out more about what to do if you’re on the pill and you’re being sick or have diarrhoea.

Can I drive or ride a bike?

Atenolol can make some people feel dizzy, especially when they first start taking it or after taking a bigger dose.

If this happens to you, do not drive a car, ride a bike, or use tools or machinery until you feel better.

It’s an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It’s your responsibility to decide if it’s safe to drive. If you’re in any doubt, do not drive.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure whether it’s safe for you to drive while taking atenolol. GOV.UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving.

Can I drink alcohol while taking atenolol?

Drinking alcohol can increase the blood pressure-lowering effect of atenolol, which can make you feel dizzy or light-headed.

During the first few days of taking atenolol or after an increase in your dose, it’s best to stop drinking alcohol until you see how the medicine affects you.

If you find atenolol makes you feel dizzy, it’s best to stop drinking alcohol.

Is there any food or drink I need to avoid?

You can eat and drink normally while taking atenolol.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help if you have high blood pressure or another heart condition.

Can lifestyle changes help with high blood pressure?

If you have heart problems, you can boost the health of your heart by making some key lifestyle changes.

These will also help if you have high blood pressure.

• Quit smoking – smoking increases your heart rate and blood pressure. Quitting smoking brings down your blood pressure and relieves heart failure symptoms. Try to avoid secondhand smoke.
• Cut down on alcohol – drinking alcohol while you’re taking atenolol can make you feel dizzy or light-headed. Also, drinking too much alcohol raises blood pressure over time and makes heart failure worse. Men and women should not drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week. A standard glass of wine (175ml) is 2 units. A pint of lager or beer is usually 2 to 3 units of alcohol.
• Exercise – regular exercise lowers blood pressure by keeping your heart and blood vessels in good condition. It does not need to be too energetic. Walking every day will help.
• Eat well – aim to eat a diet that includes plenty of fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products and lean proteins. It’s a good idea to follow these tips for a lower salt diet, too. Eating too much salt is the biggest cause of high blood pressure. The more salt you eat, the higher your blood pressure will be. Aim for no more than 6g of salt a day.
• Manage stress – when you’re anxious or upset, your heart beats faster, you breathe more heavily and your blood pressure often goes up. This can make heart failure worse, too. Find ways to reduce stress in your life. To give your heart a rest, try napping or putting your feet up when possible. Spend time with friends and family to be social and help avoid stress.
• Vaccinations – if you have heart failure, it’s recommended that you have the flu vaccine every year and the pneumococcal vaccine as recommended by your GP. Ask your doctor about these vaccinations. You can have them free on the NHS. Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination is recommended for most people. Make sure you’ve had all the doses that you are eligible for. Talk to your doctor if you think you might be in one of the at risk groups.

Can lifestyle changes help with migraines?

There are a number of things you can do to help prevent migraines. This includes working out what things trigger an attack so you can avoid them.

Keeping a migraine diary may help you do this.

Page last reviewed: 5 April 2022

Next review due: 5 April 2025

Atenolol and Alcohol/Food Interactions – Drugs.com

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There are 4 alcohol/food/lifestyle interactions with atenolol.

Atenolol and ethanol may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. You may experience headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and/or changes in pulse or heart rate. These side effects are most likely to be seen at the beginning of treatment, following a dose increase, or when treatment is restarted after an interruption. Let your doctor know if you develop these symptoms and they do not go away after a few days or they become troublesome. Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you, and use caution when getting up from a sitting or lying position. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

Using atenolol together with multivitamin with minerals may decrease the effects of atenolol. Separate the administration times of atenolol and multivitamin with minerals by at least 2 hours. If your doctor does prescribe these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special test to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

You may take atenolol with or without food, but take it the same way every time. Avoid consumption of large amounts of orange juice to prevent any changes in your atenolol levels. Orange juice could decrease the effectiveness of atenolol.

Switch to professional interaction data

beta-blockers – hyperlipidemia

Beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents (aka beta-blockers) may alter serum lipid profiles. Increases in serum VLDL and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as decreases in HDL cholesterol, have been reported with some beta-blockers. Patients with preexisting hyperlipidemia may require closer monitoring during beta-blocker therapy, and adjustments made accordingly in their lipid-lowering regimen.

References

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3. Disler LJ, Joffe BI, Seftel HC “Massive hypertriglyceridemia associated with atenolol.” Am J Med 85
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5. Darga LL, Hakim MJ, Lucas CP, Franklin BA “Comparison of the effects of guanadrel sulfate and propranolol on blood pressure, functional capacity, serum lipoproteins and glucose in systemic hypertension.” Am J Cardiol 67
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6. Rossner S, Weiner L “Atenolol and metoprolol: comparison of effects on blood pressure and serum lipoproteins, and side effects. ” Eur J Clin Pharmacol 24
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7. Weiner L, Rossner S “Atenolol 50 mg or metoprolol 200 mg: a comparison of antihypertensive efficacy, side effects and lipoprotein changes.” Acta Med Scand 677
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8. Ferrara LA, Marotta T, Scilla A, et al. “Effect of oxprenolol and metoprolol on serum lipid concentration.” Eur J Clin Pharmacol 26
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9. Pasotti C, Capra A, Fiorella G, et al. “Effects of pindolol and metoprolol on plasma lipids and lipoproteins.” Br J Clin Pharmacol 13
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11. Samuel P, Chin B, Schoenfeld BH, et al. “Comparison of the effect of pindolol versus propranolol on the lipid profile in patients treated for hypertension. ” Br J Clin Pharmacol 24
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12. Terent A, Ribacke M, Carlson LA “Long-term effect of pindolol on lipids and lipoproteins in men with newly diagnosed hypertension.” Eur J Clin Pharmacol 36
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14. Szollar LG, Meszaros I, Tornoci L, et al. “Effect of metoprolol and pindolol monotherapy on plasma lipid- and lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (including the HDL subclasses) in mild hypertensive males and females.” J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 15
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15. Leren P, Foss PO, Nordvik B, Fossbakk B “The effect of enalapril and timolol on blood lipids.” Acta Med Scand 223
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Atenolol drug interactions

There are 458 drug interactions with atenolol.

Atenolol disease interactions

There are 18 disease interactions with atenolol which include:

• hemodialysis
• renal dysfunction
• bradyarrhythmia/AV block
• cardiogenic shock/hypotension
• CHF
• diabetes
• hypersensitivity
• ischemic heart disease
• PVD
• cerebrovascular insufficiency
• glaucoma
• hyperlipidemia
• hyperthyroidism
• myasthenia gravis
• pheochromocytoma
• psoriasis
• tachycardia
• asthma/COPD

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.

Major	Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate	Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor	Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown	No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Drugs incompatible with alcohol: the most dangerous combinations

Article content:

• Antipyretics
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Rheumatological preparations
• Antibiotics
• Nasal drops
• Cough syrups
• Antidepressants
• Tranquilizers
• General anesthesia preparations
• Antiallergic
• Medicines for diabetes mellitus
• Cardiac products
• Hormonal preparations
• Gastrointestinal medicines
• Conclusion

Drugs are incorporated into metabolic processes in the body. Their active substances change various biochemical reactions, due to which they show their therapeutic effects. The further way of drug exchange is filtration and excretion with the help of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys.

Ethyl alcohol is a rather aggressive substance. The breakdown products of alcohol circulate in the blood and are excreted by the excretory organ systems. Drug interactions with ethanol metabolites can be unpredictable and even life-threatening. Alcoholic beverages can potentiate the side effects of medications or even cause unexpected reactions. Some drugs also contain several active ingredients, and each of them can interact with ethyl alcohol in its own way.

Doctors do not recommend drinking alcohol while taking medication, but life circumstances and temptations can make adjustments to patients’ plans. Therefore, it is important for each person to understand which combinations of drugs with alcohol lead to dangerous consequences, when it is better not to take risks, and in what situations you can not worry so much about a slight violation of the instructions.

Antipyretics

Paracetamol is one of the most popular representatives of this class of medicines worldwide. It is used to effectively reduce the temperature. However, its effect on the body is quite aggressive. In combination with ethanol metabolites, the antipyretic has a pronounced hepatotoxic effect. This means that the liver is unable to cope with the neutralization and elimination of chemical toxins, as a result of which they accumulate and damage the liver cells.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

This group of drugs is also known as antipyretics and pain relievers. They are taken with an increase in temperature and various manifestations of the pain syndrome.

It is important to remember that ibuprofen, aspirin, analgin and their analogues have a pronounced hepatotoxic effect, negatively affect the condition of the gastric mucosa, increasing the risk of gastric and intestinal ulcers.

Ibuprofen in combination with alcohol significantly impairs blood clotting, resulting in an increase in bleeding time by about 3-4 times. Significantly increase the risk of bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to irreversible blood loss.

All drugs in this group in combination with alcohol have a toxic effect on the gastrointestinal tract, especially if non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are taken in a course of 10-14 days or more.

Sufficient time should be devoted to reading the composition of the combined preparations that modern pharmacology offers as a treatment for influenza and other viral infections. Most often, they also contain paracetamol or ibuprofen.

You can take drugs of this class in the morning after drinking alcohol – it is known that analgin relieves hangover and helps to recover the next day. However, it is important to ensure that after taking the last dose of alcoholic beverages, about 10 hours have passed, then the danger to the liver will be minimal. If initially there are risk factors for the development or exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, then it is better to get rid of the discomfort associated with the use of alcohol with the help of adsorbents – activated carbon or smectite.

Rheumatological drugs

Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, various chronic inflammations of the joints – these pathologies are manifested by severe constant pain and require the prescription of serious anti-inflammatory drugs or other aggressive drugs. The use of cytostatics is especially dangerous – they have a pronounced damaging effect on the liver. Combining them with alcohol is unacceptable for those who are worried about their own health.

Antibiotics

There is a well-known rule – alcohol with antibiotics is absolutely contraindicated. However, few people know where this statement came from, what is the reason for the fear of taking antibacterial drugs.

If you look deeper into the biochemical processes of alcohol transformation in the body, it is necessary to note the two-stage nature of its metabolism. Initially, with the help of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, ethanol is broken down to acetaldehyde. It is this active substance that is considered toxic to all organs and systems, it has a direct destructive effect on cells. The further way of neutralization is the transformation into acetic acid under the influence of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase.

The second stage of excretion of an alcoholic beverage is disturbed or delayed, acetaldehyde begins to actively circulate in the body. Its accumulation causes a severe hangover syndrome, which manifests itself in the form of headache, nausea, vomiting, general pronounced malaise.

Antibacterial agents act directly on enzymatic systems, disrupting the work of aldehyde dehydrogenase and blocking the second stage of ethanol detoxification. The result of the simultaneous use of alcohol and antibiotics is a pronounced hangover syndrome, which brings excruciating headaches, dyspepsia in the form of nausea, vomiting and stool disorders, changes in cardiac activity, changes in blood pressure, arrhythmias, and can even lead to respiratory failure or seizures.

Significant amounts of alcohol can cause dangerous symptoms to appear immediately after drinking, rather than the next day. This negatively affects both the physical and mental state of a person.

Several groups of antibiotics are guaranteed to provide this response almost immediately – metronidazole and other imidazole derivatives are most often prescribed for the treatment of protozoal infections caused by protozoan microorganisms. A similar effect is exerted by first-generation cephalosporins, a number of nitrofurans, macrolides, and sulfonamides, for example, the well-known biseptol, which many patients do not at all classify as antibacterial drugs. Similarly, antifungal agents work – ketoconazole, itraconazole.

Particularly dangerous are antibacterial drugs used in the treatment of tuberculosis – isoniazid, rifampicin and other drugs. They are quite toxic on their own, and in combination with alcohol lead to the development of irreversible changes in the liver parenchyma and other serious consequences.

Newer antibiotics of the latest generation are less likely to cause such problems, but unexpected reactions cannot be ruled out, which may be the result of individual sensitivity to the drugs.

It is important to understand that blood levels of drugs persist even after treatment is stopped. For some time, antibacterial active substances remain active in the blood, and it is important to refrain from drinking alcohol for several days or even weeks after the end of therapy.

Many patients mistakenly believe that only tablet forms of antibiotics cause the dangerous effects of alcohol. In fact, solutions for intravenous or intramuscular injections, antibacterial suppositories enter the bloodstream much faster, and even local forms in the form of eye drops or topical ointments can affect the metabolism of ethanol.

Nasal drops

Swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasal passages is one of the most unpleasant symptoms of colds, which, together with a runny nose, leads to difficulty in normal breathing.

A symptomatic remedy for this condition is vasoconstrictor drops. Preparations of naphazoline and its analogues affect the walls of blood vessels, causing a contraction of the muscle layer, due to which the necessary effect of removing edema and improving breathing through the nose is achieved. Few of the patients think that such drugs are derivatives of adrenaline, they act in the body like this adrenal hormone. Ethyl alcohol also affects the secretion of the stress hormone as an adrenomimetic, so the combination of these substances in the body can be fatal. The main symptoms of an overdose are increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, emotional swings, and aggression.

Cough syrups

Some antitussive drugs contain centrally acting active substances that depress the cough center of the brain. Their combination with alcohol is also dangerously significant inhibition of the central nervous system (CNS). Some syrups, according to the production technology, consist of an alcohol base, which potentiates the effect of alcohol and can lead to unexpected reactions.

Antidepressants

Ethyl alcohol is known to depress the activity of the central nervous system after some time, especially when the dose is increased. It leads to an increase in the action of your own serotonin against the background of a more active synthesis of dopamine – the main hormones of pleasure. Thus, it can be considered that alcohol is an independent antidepressant. The simultaneous use of alcohol and antidepressants can cause an unpredictable effect on serotonin receptors, provoke an excessive release of adrenaline. This situation is especially dangerous in the case of taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors – iproniazid, nialamide, pyrazidol, selegiline. Another dangerous combination is MAO inhibitors with beer, since this popular drink contains one biologically active substance – tyramine, which affects all body systems like adrenaline. The processing and excretion of this biogenic amine occurs due to the enzyme monoamine oxidase, respectively, MAO inhibitor drugs interfere with this natural process.

All antidepressants are quite hepatotoxic, and their combination with alcohol has an additional negative effect on the liver.

Tranquilizers

Psychotropic drugs for anxiety and fear are a group of anxiolytics, most of which belong to the benzodiazepine class. The drugs of this group have a hypnotic, relaxing, sedative and anticonvulsant effect. The result of the simultaneous use of drugs along with alcoholic beverages is a sharp inhibition of the activity of the nervous system, which is manifested by severe intoxication, impaired coordination, and thought processes. Unexpected motor disturbances, respiratory arrest may occur.

Preparations for general anesthesia

Surgeons often have to perform urgent surgical interventions without special preoperative preparation. In this case, the patient may be intoxicated. This situation is possible only in cases where the consequences of not having surgery are worse than the risk of drug-alcohol interactions. It is important to remember that depression of the central nervous system during the administration of ether or intravenous anesthesia with the help of diethyl ether, ketamine, sodium hydroxybutyrate, thiopental and other drugs can lead to depression of brain functions up to respiratory arrest.

Antiallergics

Antihistamines are most commonly prescribed for patients with various types of allergies. They block certain receptors and prevent the development of symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions. However, the first generations of this group of drugs have a pronounced sedative effect, causing drowsiness, and the combination of these active substances with alcohol causes the same reactions as tranquilizers. Ethanol blocks the main effect of antihistamines, so patients may develop allergic reactions with serious complications.

A great danger is the inhibition of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase under the influence of histamine receptor blockers, which significantly disrupts the functioning of systems for the detoxification of alcohol metabolites.

Drugs for diabetes

Combining alcoholic beverages with hypoglycemic drugs, and especially with insulin, is considered dangerous, since ethanol in the process of its transformation reduces the level of glucose in the blood. Hypoglycemia is a condition in which glucose levels drop and body cells do not receive enough energy to function. This situation is dangerous for the development of complications from the central nervous system up to loss of consciousness and coma.

Cardiac drugs

One of the groups of antiarrhythmic drugs and blood pressure lowering drugs are adrenoblockers such as timolol, atenolol, propranolol and other members of the class. A large percentage of people constantly take nitrates – drugs against angina pectoris, which dilate the vessels of the heart and improve its blood supply.

Their interaction with alcohol can be unpredictable – it enhances the vasodilatory effect, expanding the peripheral and central vessels, so a sudden drop in blood pressure may occur during a sudden transition from a lying position to a standing position. Symptoms of this condition are clouding of consciousness, severe weakness, flickering of “flies” before the eyes, nausea, and coordination disorders.

Accordingly, for the same reasons, it is impossible to combine the intake of alcoholic beverages and antihypertensive drugs. The decrease in blood pressure can be so rapid that an emergency situation arises – a hypotensive crisis.

Indirect anticoagulants such as phenindione, omephine, or neodicoumarin are indicated for the treatment or prevention of blood clots. Regular use of these drugs can prevent the development of serious conditions such as a heart attack or stroke. However, there is a main risk of their long-term use – the risk of bleeding. Also, in people who are not prone to drinking alcohol, a single intake of large doses of alcohol enhances the effect of indirect anticoagulants. This can threaten a high risk of developing internal hemorrhages. The reverse situation occurs for those who systematically allow themselves a glass or two of strong drinks. They have increased tolerance to the action of these drugs, there is an additional risk of thrombosis.

Hormonal preparations

It is dangerous to use medicinal analogues of natural hormones of the human endocrine system – for example, testosterone. Liver enzymes, whose activity is increased due to the action of ethanol, also destroy the main male hormones, causing all the consequences of insufficient androgenic function.

Gastrointestinal drugs

Histamine H2 receptor blockers such as cimetidine, ranitidine, or famotidine reduce the acidity of the gastrointestinal tract. This leads to rapid absorption of alcohol and an increase in its effects. It is important to remember that with gastritis or peptic ulcer, alcohol intake is absolutely contraindicated. Violation of the prohibition can lead to the formation of ulcerative defects of the gastric mucosa.

Another group of medicines that are prescribed to improve the motility of the gastrointestinal tract, the secretion of bile and other processes for the digestion of food, are antispasmodics. The well-known “No-shpa” and its analogues relax the muscles of the internal organs. Ethanol potentiates the action of the drug, causing stronger muscle relaxation effects, which makes it difficult to choose a safe dose of antispasmodic.

Conclusion

It is known that some medicinal formulas are not only compatible with alcohol, but are also produced on the basis of it. Tinctures of various actions are active extracts based on ethyl alcohol. It can also be part of cough syrups, external dosage forms.

However, the technology of its preparation does not reduce the effectiveness of the active substance, and taking it strictly in accordance with the instructions determines the safety for the liver and other organs.

Thus, it is important to always think about the mechanisms of the transformation of drugs and alcohol in the body. In cases where their metabolism occurs with the involvement of the same biochemical systems, it is better to stop drinking alcohol. It is no coincidence that doctors recommend refraining from alcohol during treatment – in any case, the combination of drugs and alcoholic beverages creates an additional burden on the liver.

It is important to read the package leaflet carefully before taking it and remember that the same active ingredient can be produced under different trade names. Therefore, there is a high risk of confusion when choosing a drug, as well as deciding whether it is compatible with alcohol.

Hotline: 8 (495) 153-98-70

Review of drugs for withdrawal from binge drinking

Withdrawal syndrome

alcohol in the body ends. It occurs within a few hours after taking an extreme portion of alcohol.

Severe hangover sets in:

• headache, high blood pressure, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias;
• nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain;
• tremor, insomnia;
• in severe cases, anxiety and delusional disorders, hallucinations occur.

Another drink of alcohol is required to temporarily alleviate the condition. And in order to stop drinking, you need the help of a doctor.

Treatment at home or hospital?

Withdrawal from hard drinking at home is possible with short-term hard drinking and the patient has no complications and severe comorbidities.

The main advantage of home care is that the patient is in familiar conditions, among relatives and friends. At home, as they say, and native walls help (the patient is psychologically more comfortable, there is no stress from a trip to the hospital).

The main drawback of the treatment of hard drinking at home lies in the absence of precisely psychological restrictions: there remains the temptation and the opportunity to go and drink again.

How to get out of binge

It all starts with a doctor’s examination. He collects an anamnesis, assesses the patient’s condition, and identifies contraindications. It is the doctor who decides the possibility of carrying out the procedure at home. If not, then sends the patient to the hospital, all this is also anonymous.

The process of withdrawal from binge at home is as follows:

• detoxification is performed using a series of droppers – this is necessary in order to quickly and without consequences remove all the remaining alcohol and its decay products from the body;
• as a result, the fluid deficiency is replenished, the acid-base state is normalized, and electrolyte disturbances are eliminated;
• abstinence is removed;
• eliminates tremor and agitation;
• normalizes sleep and reduces craving for alcohol;
• restores the work of the brain, liver, heart, pancreas, prevents the development of convulsive syndrome, acute withdrawal, heart attack and stroke.

After carrying out all therapeutic measures, the condition immediately improves:

• Sleep is normalized, i.e. it becomes not intermittent and short-term, but full-fledged, with normal rest of the central nervous system.
• All toxins are removed from the body, the work of internal organs and systems is restored and improved, respectively, nausea and vomiting stop, blood pressure and pulse return to normal.
• Headache disappears, tremor and nervous excitement are eliminated, life and contact with others are getting better.

Methods for removing alcohol from the blood

The main organs and systems for cleaning the blood from alcohol and its subsequent excretion are the liver, kidneys and lungs. The main role in this work is assigned to our liver, because it is in it that all the alcohol that is in the body is processed. In the liver, ethanol is broken down to acetaldehyde (a very toxic substance that causes the main harm), water and carbon dioxide. Gradually, acetaldehyde is oxidized, turning into acetic acid, which destroys the cells of the whole organism. If acetaldehyde is not quickly eliminated from the body. In people suffering from alcoholism and taking alcohol on a permanent or periodic basis, they are constantly under the influence of such a chemical process, which in turn leads to the development of toxic liver damage, fatty hepatosis, and then to cirrhosis of the liver.

However, it is not only the liver that suffers from alcohol. The volume of body lesions and developing diseases on the background of alcoholism is extensive: cirrhosis, hepatitis, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, coronary heart disease, pancreatitis, encephalopathy, the development of alcoholic epilepsy, mental illness, the development of acute withdrawal syndrome.

Removal of alcohol and its decay products from the blood is a difficult and lengthy task, if it is not possible to treat yourself and do it quickly for many reasons. The elimination rate depends on general health, liver condition, genetic predisposition, gender, etc. For example, in men, the rate of excretion of ethanol from the body is approximately 0.1 ppm / hour, in women – 0.09ppm/hour.

In its simplest form, alcoholic substances are eliminated from the body by evaporation through the skin, lungs and kidneys. You can make alcohol withdrawal faster on your own, which is not recommended, or call a narcologist to set up droppers with the necessary drugs.

A brief example of drugs that can be used for withdrawal from binge:

Thiamine

Should be given to all patients who see a doctor about alcohol dependence. The purpose of the appointment of thiamine is to prevent the development of Gaye-Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakov’s syndrome. A positive effect was noted when withdrawing from hard drinking.

β-adrenergic blockers

They are prescribed for relief of vegetative symptoms during withdrawal from binge drinking. Usually propranolol or atenolol is used for this purpose. These drugs do not prevent the development of seizures and delirium, so they are recommended to be prescribed in combination with other drugs.

Clonidine

According to the mechanism of action, clonidine is a stimulator of central α2-adrenergic receptors. It relieves autonomic symptoms during withdrawal from binge – sweating, hypertension, tachycardia, tremor, but does not affect the risk of developing delirium and convulsions. The drug has some sedative effect, which is enhanced in combination with tranquilizers. The advantage of clonidine is the absence of respiratory depression, euphoric effect.

Benzodiazepines

They are the main remedy for withdrawal from binge drinking. They reduce the likelihood of developing seizures and delirium, and if delirium has already occurred, they reduce its duration. Long-acting benzodiazepines are more effective in preventing epileptic seizures than short-acting ones. Their disadvantage is the possibility of cumulation and excessive sedation. This group of drugs includes: Diazepam, Lorazepam, Oxazepam, Chlorazepate.

Carbamazepine

Effective for all withdrawal symptoms and may be the drug of choice for mild to moderate drinking. The absence of interaction with alcohol allows the use of the drug even if it is present in the blood. It has been established that Carbamazepine affects the neuronal transmission of GABA, glutamate, norepinephrine, acetylcholine and dopamine. Monotherapy with carbamazepine is effective in mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms, and benzodiazepines are recommended in severe cases. The undoubted advantage of carbamazepine is the absence of a euphoric effect and the risk of dependence on the drug.

Barbiturates

Very effective in getting rid of binge drinking. Their use is limited by a rather high toxicity and the risk of addiction. As a long-acting drug, it can depress respiration and cardiac activity; causes induction of microsomal liver enzymes.

Tiapride

Is a neuroleptic of the group of substituted benzamides and has a sedative effect. Extrapyramidal disorders rarely occur with its use, since it selectively acts on D2-dopamine receptors. The drug is used in Russia, Germany and France for withdrawal from hard drinking. It is advisable to prescribe tiapride in combination with carbamazepine and benzodiazepines.

Haloperidol

Haloperidol is indicated in the presence of productive psychopathological symptoms – delirium, hallucinations, psychomotor agitation. Haloperidol must be combined with benzodiazepines. With a simple withdrawal syndrome, the use of the drug is not indicated. Its disadvantage is the risk of developing acute extrapyramidal hyperkinesis, which must be stopped by the administration of diazepam, diphenhydramine (diphenhydramine) or central anticholinergics.

Proproten-100

To date, the most studied of the antibody preparations is “Proproten-100”, which contains potentiated antibodies to the brain-specific protein S-100 (AS-100). The drug Proproten has been studied at all levels of organization of neuronal structures: cellular, intercellular (synaptic), structural, systemic. The most specific of the studied effects can be considered the sensitizing effect of AS-100 on the cell membrane of neurons. An unusual biological effect at the clinical level is manifested by a balanced effect on the mental status of patients. Depending on the initial state of the patients, the drug has both a sedative and a stimulating effect.

GHB (sodium hydroxybutyrate)

The drug relieves autonomic symptoms and has a rather pronounced sedative effect, but may increase the likelihood of hallucinations due to an indirect stimulating effect on dopaminergic neurons.

Clomethiazole

It is a drug with a pronounced sedative effect, which has been used in medical practice since the 20s of the last century. It is highly effective in stopping all manifestations of the withdrawal syndrome and is still used in Germany and Russia. The drug is administered orally in the form of capsules or solution. Relative contraindications are obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory failure. The drug can only be used in a hospital.

Sensitizers

Used in coding for alcoholism to create a so-called chemical barrier that makes it impossible to drink alcohol, and to develop in the patient a sense of fear of possible unpleasant consequences of drinking alcohol. The most common sensitizing agent used in the treatment of alcohol dependence is teturam (antabuse, disulfiram). The sensitizing drugs metronidazole, furazolidone, and nicotinic acid, which were widely prescribed earlier, are rarely used now. Disulfiram has been used to treat alcohol addiction since the 1940s. It is assumed that the therapeutic effects of teturam are due to the fear of teturam-alcohol reaction (TAR). The mechanism of action of this drug is based on blocking the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, as a result of which the oxidation of alcohol is delayed at the stage of acetaldehyde. Before treatment with teturamom, the patient is warned about the possible adverse effects of alcohol intake.

Currently, a fairly common method of treatment is intramuscular implantation of Esperal, which is produced in sealed ampoules containing 10 tablets of 0.1 g of teturam. As a rule, this method is used when other therapeutic measures are unsuccessful. The patient and his relatives are explained that the drug implanted in the tissue will be constantly absorbed into the blood, and if the patient drinks even a small amount of alcohol, he will have serious consequences, even death.

The use of teturam has many contraindications due to the pronounced toxicity of the drug. Against the background of its use, various side effects often develop in the form of allergic reactions, toxic hepatitis, teturam psychosis. Disulfiram may exacerbate the symptoms of schizophrenia. A necessary condition for treatment is the patient’s good health, high motivation, regularity of taking the drug. Of particular note is the inadmissibility of prescribing disulfiram without the knowledge of the patient (for example, pouring into food) due to the danger of the consequences of a teturam-alcohol reaction.

Opioid receptor blockers

Advances in understanding the neurochemical mechanisms of alcohol dependence have led to the development of a number of new drugs for its treatment. Thus, it was found that in the brain there is an endogenous opioid system in which morphine-like compounds (enkephalins and endorphins) are produced, which cause euphoria and analgesic effects. Drugs that are opioid antagonists block opioid receptors and thus prevent the pleasurable effects of drug use. Although alcohol is not an olioid receptor agonist, many of its effects are mediated through the endogenous opioid system. Experiments have shown that opioid receptor antagonists block the reinforcing effects of alcohol. Thus, naltrexone prevented the increase in dopamine levels caused by the introduction of alcohol, and this effect was dose-dependent. Dopamine is known to be involved in the reinforcing effects of alcohol. The duration of remission in patients taking naltrexone as a maintenance treatment was longer compared to patients taking placebo. It should be borne in mind that naltrexone is effective as an anti-relapse drug, provided that it is taken regularly over a 12-week course. Naltrexone is especially recommended for patients with strong, uncontrollable cravings for alcohol (compulsive cravings). At the same time, drug treatment implies high motivation. The effectiveness of treatment is significantly increased in combination with supportive psychotherapy. The drug nalmefene is structurally similar to naltrexone. Unlike naltrexone, it does not have hepatotoxicity. In addition, nalmefene is a versatile opioid receptor antagonist that blocks three types of opioid receptors.

Acamprosate (acetylhomotaurin)

The exact mechanism of action of the drug has not been established so far. It is known to modulate the activity of glutamate and GABA receptors. Chronic alcohol intoxication leads to a decrease in the activity of the inhibitory GABAergic system and an increase in the activity of the excitatory glutamate system in the brain. These disorders persist for a long time after alcohol withdrawal. Acamprosate is structurally similar to GABA and increases the activity of the GABAergic system by increasing the number of GABA binding sites on the synoptic membrane. Acamprosate reduces the activity of the glutamate system by acting on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and calcium channels. For the first time in clinical practice, acamprosate began to be used in France in 1989 g. Currently, the drug is allowed in more than 30 countries of the world; the total number of patients treated exceeds 1 million. Experiments have shown that acamprosate reduces alcohol consumption in free access without affecting eating behavior, has no narcotic potential and other pharmacological effects other than those that help reduce alcohol consumption.

Serotonergic agents

The relationship between serotonin and alcohol is complex. It is assumed that alcoholics are trying to normalize low basal levels of serotonin in the brain with the help of alcohol. Serotonin has been found to be involved in the reinforcing effects of alcohol. In addition, low serotonin promotes impulsive behavior that leads to alcohol consumption. Abnormal serotonin metabolism can be accompanied by anxiety and depression, in which case alcohol can be used as a self-medication. Serotonergic drugs include serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Fevarin), citalopram. This class of drugs was developed in the 1980s to treat depressive disorders. The mechanism of action of SSRIs is to block the reuptake of serotonin by presynaptic endings, as a result of which the level of serotonin in the synoptic gap increases.

Other drugs

Recommended by some authors, the use of doxepin for withdrawal from binge is considered unacceptable due to the high risk of complications – arterial hypotension, arrhythmias and toxic delirium. The administration of phenothiazine antipsychotics (chlorpromazine and tizercine) practiced by some doctors when withdrawing from binge should be recognized as unacceptable. these drugs increase the likelihood of developing delirium, seizures and have a proarrhythmic effect. It is known that after the introduction of phenothiazine antipsychotics into the practice of treating delirium in the 50s. mortality from it increased by 4 times. The joint appointment of barbiturates and tranquilizers should be avoided when withdrawing from hard drinking due to excessive sedation and the combination of β-blockers and clonidine due to the risk of developing arrhythmias.