Question: Antibiotics and alcohol: Should I avoid mixing them?
What are the effects of drinking alcohol while taking antibiotics? Some antibiotics carry a warning to avoid alcohol. But others don’t.
Answer: From James M. Steckelberg, M.D.
The effects of combining antibiotics and alcohol can vary, depending on the specific antibiotic. Alcohol doesn’t diminish the effectiveness of most antibiotics. However, antibiotics and alcohol can cause similar side effects, such as stomach upset, dizziness and drowsiness. When you combine antibiotics and alcohol, these side effects may increase.
A few antibiotics — such as metronidazole (Flagyl), tinidazole (Tindamax) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) — should not be mixed with alcohol because this may result in a more severe reaction. Drinking any amount of alcohol with these medications can result in side effects such as flushing, headache, nausea and vomiting, and rapid heart rate. Keep in mind that some cold medicines and mouthwashes also contain alcohol. So check the label and avoid such products while taking these antibiotics.
Chronic alcohol use and binge drinking affect the liver and may cause changes in the way some drugs, including antibiotics such as doxycycline (Vibramycin, Doryx), are metabolized. In such cases, a higher dose of antibiotic may be required to achieve the same treatment benefit.
Keep in mind that alcohol can reduce your energy and delay how quickly you recover from illness. So, it may be best to avoid alcohol until you have finished your antibiotics and are feeling better.
Advice taken in part from http://www.mayoclinic.com/
Disclaimer
All content on this website is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Always consult your own GP if you’re in any way concerned about your health.
If you liked this article, you might enjoy these: