Ingavirin is one of the most popular antiviral agents for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections. Colds are not conducive to the holidays, but there are situations when, even during illness, you can not avoid a feast. About how “Ingavirin” and alcohol are compatible, the proposed article will tell.
Material Content:
The composition of the drug
The active ingredient "Ingavirin" is a low molecular weight synthetic substance called imidazolylethanamide pentanedioic acid. Academician R.P. Evstigneeva, and in 2008 the drug was registered in Russia in the group of antiviral and immunostimulating agents.
The pentanedioic acid imidazolylethanamide is in powder form and is available in capsule form.
Depending on the content of this substance in capsules, Ingavirin comes in two dosages:
- "Ingavirin 60" - yellow capsules containing 60 mg of pentanedioic imidazolylethanamide;
- "Ingavirin 90" - red capsules containing 90 mg of pentanedioic imidazolylethanamide.
It is curious that the active ingredient Ingavirin was originally developed as an antihistamine. Then it was used for some time under the name “vitaglutam” in the composition of the drug “Dicarbamine” as a stimulant of leukopoiesis in the treatment of cancer patients. However, it was not possible to convincingly prove its effectiveness in this regard, and pentanedioic imidazolylethanamide became Ingavirin.
Compatibility "Ingavirin" and alcohol
The official documentation does not stipulate the compatibility of Ingavirin and alcohol. Most patients on this basis believe that drinking alcohol during treatment is possible. However, doctors have a different opinion on this matter.
How the antiviral drug Ingavirin works in the body as follows:
- penetrating the liver and intestinal epithelium, increases the synthesis of endogenous interferons - proteins that enhance the immune response to the invasion of viral particles;
- increases the formation of antibodies in bone marrow cells;
- reduces the degree of immunosuppression - depression of immunity.
Drinks containing ethyl alcohol nullify all this work. A study conducted at the University of Massachusetts by the research team of Professor Gionji Szabo showed that ethanol dramatically inhibits the production of interferon in monocytes. Moreover, it increases the concentration of the cytokine TNFα, which enhances the inflammatory response.
From this we can conclude: despite the fact that the instructions for use do not stipulate the incompatibility of Ingavirin with alcohol, it is undesirable to drink alcohol during treatment.
The consequences of taking an antiviral drug with alcohol
Most often, there are no serious consequences after a combined intake of Ingavirin and ethyl alcohol. However, ethanol and imidazolylethanamide pentanedioic acid by its effect on the body can be called antagonists. Therefore, all previous treatment becomes in vain.
If the dose of alcohol was significant, the consequences will be more serious:
- body cells will be simultaneously attacked by viral particles, immune bodies and ethanol;
- the load on the liver will increase many times;
- the liver will not be able to produce a sufficient amount of alcohol dehydrogenase, and the patient will experience a severe hangover;
- intoxication due to acute respiratory viral infections will join the symptoms of a hangover.
According to studies in laboratory animals, after the introduction of ethanol solutions, warm-blooded mammals completely lose their ability to resist infections for 24 hours. The risk of manifestation of clinical manifestations is significantly increased. It is this feature that forces doctors to forbid patients to drink alcohol during antiviral therapy.
How much can I drink alcoholic beverages
To completely eliminate all risks, it is necessary to wait until the completion of the course of treatment with Ingavirin.
In this case, it is desirable to take into account the nuances of the pharmacokinetics of imidazolylethanamide pentanedioic acid:
- within 48 hours after taking the drug in the blood, the maximum concentration of interferons remains;
- the half-life of the active substance from the body is also 48 hours.
Based on this, a safe participation in the feast after taking Ingavirin is possible on the third day after the completion of the course of antiviral therapy.
Allergic reaction
There is another important point that must be taken into account. The combined use of ethanol and drugs significantly increases the incidence of side effects.
At "Ingavirin" one side effect is registered - allergic reactions.
Their development is directly related to the mechanism of interaction of the drug and alcohol:
- joint intake inhibits the metabolism of ethanol and the active substance in the liver;
- the concentration of the drug in the blood increases;
- an allergic reaction develops.
In such a situation, allergies can occur even in people who usually tolerate Ingavirin well. The problem is complicated by the fact that ethyl alcohol exhibits pronounced histaminolibrator properties. This means that it provokes the release of histamine from mast cells and basophils, a substance that “raises anxiety” in the body and causes the immune system to respond to stress.
As a result of an increase in the level of free histamine in the blood, the following processes develop:
- adrenaline is released from the adrenal glands;
- there is a spasm of smooth muscles in the vessels and respiratory tract;
- permeability of small vessels sharply increases;
- swelling of tissues, redness of the skin, tachycardia, airway spasm develops.
It becomes clear that if you take "Ingavirin" with alcohol, you can expect the manifestation of a number of allergic reactions - urticaria, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, soft tissue edema. The addition of an allergy to the symptoms of a viral infection can greatly worsen the general condition of the patient. In severe cases, even anaphylactic shock can be observed.
Of course, if ARVI is mild, and the dose of alcohol is small, such consequences will most likely not be. And yet, while treating a viral infection, it is better to refrain even from occasional drinking.
Overdose
The official documentation says that there were no cases of overdose of the drug "Ingavirin". But as indicated above, when taken together with alcohol, the concentration of any medication in the blood becomes higher than usual. That is why there is a risk of side effects and acute toxic reactions.
The acute toxic reaction with the combination of Ingavirin and alcohol can take many forms. The most likely occurrence of headaches, nausea, vomiting, swelling of the limbs and face.
First aid in such situations is gastric lavage and sorbent intake (Filtrum, Smecta, Polysorb, activated charcoal). It is further useful to give the patient ascorbic acid with glucose. If the symptoms of intoxication do not decrease, seek emergency medical attention.
