Antibiotics and alcohol: Should I avoid mixing them?

[BABY1]

What are the effects of drinking alcohol while taking antibiotics?

Answer

from James M. Steckelberg, M.D.

Antibiotics and alcohol can cause similar side effects, such as stomach upset, dizziness and drowsiness. Combining antibiotics and alcohol can increase these side effects.

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.

Although alcohol doesn't reduce the effectiveness of most antibiotics, it can reduce your energy and delay how quickly you recover from illness. So, it's a good idea to avoid alcohol until you finish your antibiotics and are feeling better.

[Dzone]

Re: Antibiotics and alcohol: Should I avoid mixing them?

Yes,Alcohol should be avoided at all costs. It is poison and has NO benefits to humans whatsoever.

[yamaha147]

Re: Antibiotics and alcohol: Should I avoid mixing them?

THE ANTIBIOTICS WONT WORK IF YOU DRINK ANY ALCOHOL

[unclem]

Re: Antibiotics and alcohol: Should I avoid mixing them?

antibiotics do work even if u drink alcohol, but it can, the main problem, cause kidney damage as the molecules interact with the enzymes in the duct in the flap of the kidney. but yes yamaha if u drink ask your dr first if your going to drink on top of booze and pills of anykind. but some meds are blocked from working w/ alcohol but not antibiotics. cipro is the most dangerous to drink on while your on it as the kidney failure rate is 1 in 32,000 but rare it does happen.