Drinking alcohol after taking a cephalosporin may induce a disulfiram reaction, requiring immediate emesis, monitoring of vital signs, oxygenation, symptomatic treatment, and even gastric lavage.
Cephalosporin drug in the process of alcohol metabolism, will inhibit the activity of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, so that acetaldehyde can not be oxidized and metabolized away. As a result, too much acetaldehyde accumulates in the body. Acetaldehyde in the aggregation of 5 minutes symptoms, dizziness, dyspnea, flushing, etc., or even death, that is, disulfiram reaction. Once it occurs, the remedies are as follows.
1. Emetic: stop taking cephalosporins and drinking alcohol immediately to stimulate the laryngopharyngeal reflex and produce reflex vomiting. At the same time, drink more water to increase urination and promote the metabolism of alcohol discharge.
2. Prompt medical treatment: When the reaction of disulfiram is serious, even respiratory depression, convulsions, arrhythmia, etc., should be sent to the doctor in time, given oxygen and symptomatic treatment. If the reaction of disulfiram is still not improved, consider gastric lavage treatment to expel ethanol in the stomach and reduce the absorption of ethanol. Dexamethasone or naloxone can also be given to detoxify the alcohol, and if the patient is combined with hepatic insufficiency, hepatic protection and other appropriate treatment.
In addition, the severity of disulfiram reaction is related to the dosage of the drug and the amount of alcohol consumed, and drinking alcohol after taking sleeping pills, painkillers, hypoglycemic drugs and antidepressants can also cause similar reactions, and it is relatively safe to drink alcohol for 6 days before taking the drug. The above medications should be used under medical supervision.