Know The Risks of Mixing Alcohol and Antibiotics

Because alcohol impairs the immune system and may have harmful interactions with antibiotics, it’s generally recommended not to drink while taking these medications.

What Are the Dangers of Combining Antibiotics and Alcohol?

Mixing antibiotics and alcohol may adversely affect your health and compromise the intended benefits of your prescribed treatment. The combination of alcohol and antibiotics can increase the risk of experiencing adverse side effects, including:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Severe headache
• Rapid heart rate
• Difficulty breathing

Additionally, alcohol can impair the immune system, which is detrimental when fighting an infection. So, regardless of whether an antibiotic interacts negatively with alcohol, drinking while your body is working to recover can delay the healing process and make you feel even worse.

Alcohol Interactions for Commonly Prescribed Antibiotics

Metronidazole 

This antibiotic is known for its severe interactions with alcohol. Mixing alcohol and metronidazole can cause a variety of symptoms, such as: 

• Rapid heartbeat
• Headache
• Flushing
• Nausea 
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing 

Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim or Septra) has also been reported to interact with alcohol. Although the interaction is not as severe as with metronidazole, drinking while taking this medication may still cause unpleasant side effects such as headaches, dizziness, gastrointestinal issues, and heightened sensitivity to sunlight. It is advised to avoid or limit alcohol consumption when taking trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

Macrolides

Macrolides, such as erythromycin and azithromycin, are another group of commonly prescribed antibiotics. As these antibiotics may cause gastrointestinal symptoms, alcohol consumption may worsen these side effects. 

Ciprofloxacin

Ciprofloxacin, a widely used fluoroquinolone antibiotic, has been reported to cause central nervous system side effects in some cases, such as dizziness and headaches. While there is no direct evidence of an interaction between ciprofloxacin and alcohol, consuming alcohol may exacerbate these side effects.

Does Alcohol Slow the Body’s Healing Process?

When alcohol is consumed, it can impair the body’s immune system, making it more difficult to fight infections and for wounds to heal. The effects of alcohol on the immune system can become even more pronounced when antibiotics are involved, as these medications are designed to help fight off infections.

Alcohol consumption can also impact the body’s ability to absorb and utilize essential nutrients for healing. Furthermore, alcohol has a dehydrating effect, which can slow down the body’s healing process by reducing the efficiency of nutrient transport to cells and organs.

Does Alcohol Make Antibiotics Less Effective?

In most cases, alcohol does not directly reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics. However, consuming alcohol while taking antibiotics can still negatively affect your health and well-being. Since alcohol can lower your immune function, it can make it seem like it’s making antibiotics less effective. In reality, drinking simply inhibits your body’s ability to fight infection. 

How Long After Taking Antibiotics Can I Drink Alcohol?

How long you should wait to drink after taking an antibiotic can vary widely depending on several factors. These include:

• Your kidney function
• Your liver function
• The specific antibiotic that you are taking
• If your infection has completely cleared up

Because specific timeframes vary depending on the antibiotic and your medical history, obtaining accurate information from your healthcare provider is crucial. While you may be able to drink safely after 24 hours after certain antibiotics, others may take several days to leave your system enough for alcohol to be safe, depending on your medical history. 

Ultimately, you should prioritize a smooth recovery from infection over drinking alcohol. If you’re struggling to avoid alcohol while on antibiotics, it might be a sign of an alcohol use disorder. 

Get Help for Alcohol Addiction at The Recovery Village Ridgefield

Combining alcohol and antibiotics can lead to various health risks and complications. Getting help for alcohol addiction at The Recovery Village Ridgefield can provide the necessary support and resources to achieve lasting recovery from alcohol-related issues. Our physician-led team of experts is dedicated to helping individuals overcome addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. Reach out to a Recovery Advocate today to get started.