However, the effects of antibiotics and alcohol occasional light use of alcohol on the immune system are more nuanced. It may be that alcohol even enhances the immune response in some of these people compared to non-drinkers. However, it still may be a good idea to give your body a break from drinking while your body recovers from the infection. Another antibiotic, Zyvox (linezolid) can cause very elevated blood pressure in some people when combined with some kinds of alcohol. Risks are greater for people with underlying blood pressure problems who consume a lot of alcohol.
Ask a Pharmacist
In 2020, pharmacists at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in New York published a study examining the data regarding alcohol use with certain classes of antibiotics. Some types were deemed safe to use with alcohol, while others were not. However, potential consequences can range from mild to severe and even life-threatening if alcohol and certain antibiotics are used simultaneously.
Is one drink safe when you’re taking antibiotics?
But that likely depends on your age, overall health, and the type of drug you’re taking. Learn more about the safety of mixing alcohol and antibiotics and the effects alcohol can have on your body’s ability to fight infection. Taking antibiotics such as metronidazole and tinidazole while consuming alcohol can cause several unwanted and potentially dangerous side effects, such as liver damage and seizures. People deficient in folic acid may be at risk of further reducing their folic acid levels while taking trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. People who regularly drink alcohol may have lower levels of folic acid and should use trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with caution. The tetracycline class of antibiotics includes doxycycline and minocycline.
- However, drinking any amount of alcohol still poses risks to a person taking antibiotics.
- Penicillins, including penicillin and amoxicillin, are commonly prescribed antibiotics that fall under the category of beta-lactam antibiotics.
- In rare cases, it can also affect the metabolism of folic acid in human cells.
- Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure about the details of your medications.
It’s very clear that regular heavy drinking has all kinds of negative effects on the immune system, putting you at greater risk of many infections, such as pneumonia. Like many types of antibiotics, alcohol is broken down and processed by your liver before it can exit your body. When your liver is already working to help fight infection, adding alcohol to the mix can overwork it. In rare cases, this can cause drug-induced liver toxicity (swelling of your liver). Alcohol consumption won’t directly impact how effective your antibiotics are.
- Other potential side effects, like headache or dizziness, might also be worse if you drink alcohol.
- Despite this interaction, not everyone will experience these reactions when drinking while taking metronidazole.
- In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published updated safety warnings on all fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
- Drinking alcohol while taking sulfonamides may cause facial flushing but is not likely to cause other side effects.
How Can Alcohol Reduce My Antibiotic’s Effectiveness?
Also, the antibiotic linezolid (Zyvox) interacts with some alcoholic drinks, including red wine and tap beer. Drinking these with this medicine can cause a harmful rise in blood pressure. The table below summarizes the recommendations and effects of drinking alcohol while taking different antibiotics. Doctors use oxazolidinones to treat abdominal, skin, lung, and urinary tract infections. But much of the time, the amount of alcohol is the most important consideration. You are much more likely to have problems with impaired antibiotic effectiveness, slowed healing, or worsened side effects if you drink excessively.
What Are Some Common Side Effects Of Combining Alcohol With Antibiotics?
When prescribing antibiotics, a healthcare provider often will discuss whether it’s OK to consume alcohol while taking them. Some (but not all) antibiotics interact with alcohol, and different types come with various risks. Following a healthcare provider’s advice is important to determine what is safe for you.
Alcohol doesn’t make most antibiotics less effective, but consuming alcohol may increase your chance of experiencing side effects. Scientists have linked heavy and binge drinking with an impaired immune system. People with an impaired immune system have a higher risk of infection. The CDC describes binge drinking as consuming four drinks for women and five drinks for men on a single occasion. Heavy drinking is eight or more drinks for women and 15 drinks or more for men per week.
Does alcohol make antibiotics less effective?
Probably this effect—if it exists—is minimal for people who only have one or two servings of alcohol a day. However, the question is a little different for people who drink a lot of alcohol regularly. In some cases, such people might need an increased dose of their antibiotic. “In general, alcohol can cause liver damage when there is too much for the liver to break down and toxins build up,” Dr. Vayalil said. Being prescribed antibiotics can disrupt your routine, and understandably, you might wonder about enjoying a social drink or a glass of wine with dinner.
Usually, drinking alcohol won’t keep your antibiotic from working to treat your infection. Still, it can interfere with your infection’s healing in other ways. Doctors recommend avoiding alcohol while taking a number of drugs. Combining alcohol and antibiotics can increase your chance of developing side effects. It’s best to wait until you’re done with your antibiotic course before consuming alcohol.
There are plenty of beverages that you can enjoy while taking antibiotics without worrying about how they might interact with your treatment. Always seek medical attention if you experience symptoms that feel out of the ordinary or are concerning. But if your day includes unwinding with a beer or glass of wine … you’ll probably have to put that on hold while you take your medication. In many cases, you only need to take antibiotics for a week or two to fully recover from an infection. Keep in mind that some cold medicines and mouthwashes also have alcohol. In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published updated safety warnings on all fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
For example, this might happen if your liver increases its creation of certain enzymes in response to alcohol consumption. If these were some of the same enzymes used to metabolize (process) your antibiotic, you might not get as high a dose as you need to fight the infection. Taking antibiotics is a temporary measure to address a specific illness or infection. Prioritizing your health during this period will contribute to a faster and more complete recovery. While the occasional drink might seem tempting, remember that your long-term well-being is the goal.
Both alcohol and antibiotics can cause side effects in your body, and drinking alcohol while taking antibiotics can raise your risk of these harmful effects. A person should always consult a doctor before mixing alcohol and antibiotics, as some potential side effects can be dangerous. Physicians prescribe sulfonamide antibiotics to treat urinary, respiratory, and abdominal infections. Sulfonamide antibiotics include the combination drug trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, which healthcare professionals also call Septra. Depending on the type of antibiotic someone is taking, doctors may recommend limiting or avoiding alcohol intake. If you’d like to still drink while taking an antibiotic, talk with the healthcare provider treating you.
