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Written by Brandon Okey. Mina Draskovic, B.Psy., reviewed this content for accuracy.
Alcohol and antibiotics create dangerous interactions in your body when combined. Your liver must process both substances at once, which slows down antibiotic absorption and lets alcohol reach toxic levels.
A 2020 review explains that many commonly prescribed antibiotics can be safely consumed with alcohol, but certain medications must be avoided because the combination suppresses your immune system and causes side effects such as dizziness, nausea, and extreme fatigue.
Many people with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) face a difficult challenge when they need antibiotic treatment for an infection. The prospect of suddenly stopping alcohol use can trigger anxiety about withdrawal symptoms.
Ardu provides expert medical supervision and compassionate support throughout your detox and rehab journey. Take the first step and contact our alcohol addiction treatment center today.
The interactions between alcohol and antibiotics may be harmful because both substances are metabolized by the liver. Alcohol is already hard on the liver, but the interaction between alcohol and antibiotics can overwhelm your liver and cause neither substance to be properly processed.
Excessive alcohol consumption or certain antibiotics exacerbate liver stress As a result, the alcohol or the antibiotic might build up to higher levels in your blood than intended and cause side effects and complications such as:
Weathermon and Crabb found that, when alcohol and certain antibiotics are in your body at the same time, they can amplify each other’s effects even though they’re not directly interfering with each other’s processing. This enhancement can be dangerous because it may lead to severe and unexpected reactions that are much more intense than the side effects you’d experience from either substance alone.
Despite the potential side effects, not all antibiotics interact dangerously with alcohol.
The blanket statement “you can’t drink alcohol with antibiotics” is largely a myth but with some exceptions. The majority of common antibiotic prescriptions can be safely combined with moderate alcohol consumption. Many people worry that alcohol will make their antibiotics less effective, but alcohol consumption does not typically reduce the ability of most common antibiotics to fight infection.
Mergenhagen, et. al. posit that efficacy is largely unaffected for most widely prescribed antibiotics, with a few exceptions: erythromycin may have reduced effectiveness when combined with alcohol, doxycycline could require higher doses in chronic alcoholics (because of faster metabolization of the drug), and chronic binge drinking could affect how some TB medications work.
The study also found that in some cases, such as with fluoroquinolones, alcohol had no negative impact on the antibiotic’s effectiveness in treating pneumonia.
These safer antibiotics are typically newer generations that don’t compete with alcohol for liver processing and don’t trigger adverse reactions in the body. Most penicillins, modern cephalosporins, and common respiratory infection antibiotics fall into this category because they use different metabolic pathways than alcohol and don’t affect each other’s breakdown in the body.
Here’s a list of antibiotics that research shows are generally safe to consume while drinking:
Just because antibiotics don’t directly interact with alcohol doesn’t mean drinking is recommended. Even if you’re taking an antibiotic that’s compatible with alcohol, it’s safer to abstain from drinking while fighting an infection because alcohol slows your body’s healing process and weakens your immune system. Healthcare professionals recommend avoiding alcohol during antibiotic treatment because no safe amount of alcohol is safe under any circumstance.
For those who find it difficult to stop drinking, Ardu provides specialized support and comprehensive drug and alcohol rehab programs. We help you prioritize your health and recovery. There’s no shame in seeking help to maintain sobriety during medical treatment.
Certain antibiotics put extra strain on your liver and trigger severe chemical reactions in your body. In combination with alcohol, they may become toxic.
Here are the antibiotics you should never mix with alcohol:
These reactions can be dangerous enough to require immediate medical attention. If you’re prescribed any of these antibiotics, completely avoid alcohol during treatment and for several days after completing your course.
If you struggle to avoid alcohol while taking these antibiotics, our medical detox services provide a safe environment with 24/7 medical supervision and professional support throughout the withdrawal process. Our compassionate team at our alcohol detox center is here to help you prioritize your health and recovery.
The safe waiting period depends on your specific antibiotic. For most common antibiotics, you can resume drinking once you’ve completed your full course of medication. Antibiotics such as metronidazole require at least 72 hours (3 days) after your last dose before having any alcohol to avoid serious reactions.
Check with your healthcare provider about your specific medication.
Avoiding alcohol during antibiotic treatment can be challenging, especially if you regularly drink or struggle with alcohol dependence. Ardu offers professional support and medical supervision to help you safely withdraw from alcohol and prioritize your health during medical treatment.
While amoxicillin doesn’t typically have dangerous interactions with alcohol, health professionals recommend avoiding alcohol while fighting a bacterial infection. Alcohol can extend your recovery time, weaken your immune system, and increase common side effects such as upset stomach, stomach pain, and stomach cramps.
Some alcoholic patients also experience irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and cognitive function issues when mixing alcohol with antibiotics. Even moderate alcohol consumption can stress your body while it’s fighting infection. For the fastest recovery and best treatment outcomes, avoid alcohol completely until you’ve finished your full course of antibiotics and your infection has cleared.
The most commonly prescribed antibiotics for urinary tract infections (UTIs) are nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. These medications don’t have dangerous interactions with alcohol, but your doctor will recommend avoiding alcohol while treating a UTI.
A Healthline article suggests that, while alcohol doesn’t typically reduce the effectiveness of most antibiotics used for UTI treatment, it can interfere with the body’s healing process in other ways. Alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns, affect blood sugar levels, prevent proper nutrient absorption, and reduce your energy levels—all factors that can slow down your recovery from the infection.
Alcohol also irritates your bladder, worsens UTI symptoms, and dehydrates your body which makes it harder to purge the infection. It can also weaken your immune system, potentially making the infection last longer or become more severe.
For the quickest and most effective recovery from your UTI, avoid alcohol completely until you’ve finished your course of antibiotics and your infection has cleared.
At Ardu, we provide comprehensive care to help you safely stop drinking and complete your medical treatment. The first step in treating your negative drinking habits is detoxification. In our detox center, we carefully manage the process to soften withdrawal, especially with regular alcohol intake and now require antibiotics that interact dangerously with alcohol.
During detox, our medical team provides 24/7 monitoring to manage physical discomfort and prevent complications. We focus on stabilizing your body so antibiotics can work effectively while creating a foundation for your recovery.
At our alcohol detox center, we offer:
After completing detox, our comprehensive rehabilitation services provide care to those who need ongoing support to maintain sobriety while completing antibiotic treatment. Our expert medical team understands the challenges of staying alcohol-free during medical treatment, whether you’re dealing with short-term antibiotics or long-term health conditions that require medication.
Our treatment programs are available at different levels of care to meet your specific needs. Our inpatient program provides round-the-clock care in a structured environment where you can focus fully on recovery while medical professionals monitor your progress and antibiotic treatment. For those who need more flexibility, our outpatient services allow you to receive support while maintaining daily responsibilities, with access to counseling and group therapy.
We also offer intermediate options through our partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP), which provide structured treatment while giving you more independence than inpatient care but more support than traditional outpatient services.
Nestled in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, Ardu Recovery Center offers a unique healing environment where medical expertise meets compassionate care. Our state-of-the-art facility combines advanced addiction treatment with specialized medical supervision. We offer innovative therapeutic approaches such as vibroacoustic therapy and float spa sessions to provide a comprehensive healing experience that treats both body and mind.
Our expert team’s understanding of alcohol-medication interactions, combined with our serene mountain setting, makes Ardu the ideal choice for safely navigating this challenging period in your health journey.
Contact Ardu online or call us at 801-872-8480. Our team will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and goals.
Brandon Okey is the co-founder of Ardu Recovery Center and is dedicated to empowering people on their journey to sobriety.
You should avoid alcohol when taking antibiotics, but there are several other things your doctor might tell you to avoid for a safe, speedy recovery.
Alcohol doesn’t “cancel out” antibiotics, but it can cause a wide range of negative effects and unpleasant side effects. Even minimal alcohol consumption can trigger adverse effects such as stomach pain, irregular heartbeat, and increased blood pressure.
With certain types of antibiotics, especially those known to cause disulfiram-like reactions, even small amounts of alcohol can lead to dangerous side effects including chest pain, heart palpitations, and abnormal heart rhythm, all of which may eventually lead to a heart attack.
The combination of alcohol and metronidazole can trigger serious adverse effects that may require immediate medical attention. The disulfiram-like reaction can cause severe side effects including irregular heartbeat, chest pain, heart palpitations, and dangerous changes in blood pressure. You might experience intense stomach pain, stomach cramps, and unpleasant side effects such as blurred vision and disturbances in attention.
Chronic alcohol consumption with metronidazole could lead to significant health risks. If you experience these symptoms, seek emergency care because combining alcohol with medicines can be dangerous.
Many patients experience fatigue during antibiotic therapy, and this side effect can be significantly worsened by alcohol consumption. The combination often leads to increased disturbances in attention, impaired cognitive function, and changes in mental status. Treatment providers note that different types of antibiotics can affect energy levels differently, with some causing more severe side effects than others.
Adding even occasional drinks can enhance drowsiness and trigger unpleasant side effects. During bacterial infection treatment, your body needs extra rest for recovery time, and both antibiotics and alcohol can impact your sleep quality. For optimal therapeutic levels and faster healing, focus on rest and avoid alcohol.
Health professionals strongly advise against any alcohol consumption during antibiotic treatment, regardless of the amount. Even drinking alcohol in moderation can trigger potential adverse drug reactions. Two drinks might seem minimal, but alcohol intake during bacterial infection treatment can lead to adverse effects including stomach upset, irregular heartbeat, and increased blood pressure.
Combining alcohol with antibiotics can extend recovery time and compromise your immune system’s ability to fight infection. Different types of antibiotics have varying potential risks, and some can cause severe reactions even with small amounts of alcohol.
While alcohol doesn’t directly neutralize most antibiotics, it can significantly impact their effectiveness and your recovery from bacterial infections. The potential interactions can lead to reduced therapeutic levels and extended recovery time.
Healthcare providers warn that the harmful influence of alcohol consumption during antibiotic therapy can trigger unpleasant side effects, from stomach pain and rapid heartbeat to more severe reactions. Long-term alcohol consumption or heavy alcohol consumption can weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight infection.
Weathermon R, Crabb DW. Alcohol and medication interactions. Alcohol Res Health. 1999;23(1):40-54. PMID: 10890797; PMCID: PMC6761694.
Mergenhagen, K. A., Wattengel, B. A., Skelly, M. K., Clark, C. M., & Russo, T. A. (2019). Fact versus Fiction: A review of the Evidence behind Alcohol and Antibiotic Interactions. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 64(3). https://doi.org/10.1128/aac.02167-19
Roland, J. (2023, April 20). Combining Antibiotics and Alcohol: Is It Safe? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/antibiotics-alcohol
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