Can You Drink Alcohol On Antibiotics?

January 27, 2021 - Alcohol Addiction - 0 Comments

5 Reasons Why You Should Not Be Mixing These Two Substances

If you’re fighting off an infection and you’re on antibiotics, you might be wondering if it’s okay to still have alcohol. How risky is it  to have alcohol while on antibiotics? Will it be alright if I just have a glass of wine? Many people would probably say that the answer is plain common sense but surprisingly, this is a popular question that usually comes up from those who have been prescribed antibiotics especially from people who are struggling with alcohol addiction. When you’re addicted to alcohol, it can be very difficult not to have a drink for an extended period of time.

So, can you drink alcohol on antibiotics? The answer is NO. You are strongly discouraged to drink any alcohol during treatment and until 72 hours after your last dose. While alcohol may not necessarily make all antibiotics ineffective, combining these two substances can result in serious consequences that will only be detrimental to your health. Here are some reasons why you should never drink alcohol while you’re taking antibiotics.

It can cause dangerous reactions

For certain antibiotics such as metronidazole (Flagyl), tinidazole (Tindamax), and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim), it is a no-no to have any alcohol at all because doing so will result in severe reactions. Having alcohol while on these antibiotics can cause side effects including rapid heart rate, vomiting, headaches, nausea, and flushing.

Some antibiotics such as linezolid (Zyvox) interact with beer and red wine. If you drink these alcoholic beverages with such antibiotics, it could lead to a dangerous increase in your blood pressure.

Many antibiotics will have warnings on their label or you can also check with your doctor whether these severe reactions can take place. However, if you really want to ward off the infection, it’s better not to take the risk and skip the alcohol altogether.

It can intensify the side effects brought about by the two substances

Taking antibiotic drugs can result in various side effects including dizziness, nausea, indigestion, stomach pain, vomiting, bloating, and more. Drinking alcohol is also known to cause similar side effects, even if you’re not taking antibiotics. So if you take both substances together, this can aggravate these negative symptoms. That means double the headache, double the nausea… you get the drift!

It can overwork your liver

When you take antibiotics, the drug is metabolized in your liver. Some antibiotics are already notorious for causing liver injury so if you drink alcohol on top of the antibiotics, you could end up overworking your liver as alcohol is also processed by this organ. If you drink a lot of alcohol, this could also potentially impact how the drug is broken down in the body.

Alcohol weakens your immune system

The body’s immune system is responsible for fighting off infections and viruses. If you have a weak immune system, your body will find it tough to recover even if you are already taking antibiotics.

If you drink alcohol, this could damage your immune system even further. When you drink while on antibiotics, it’s like you’re pulling your body towards the opposite direction of recovery. While the antibiotics are trying to work towards curing the infection, the alcohol is sabotaging your body’s progress by weakening your immune response.

It can delay your recovery from illness

With most antibiotics, you have to take the medication for 7 to 14 days. This is quite a long period and if you are dependent on alcohol, it’s understandable that you might find it hard to refrain from drinking. However, if you drink alcohol, you might just be prolonging your agony. Instead of being cured of your illness, alcohol can delay the treatment of your symptoms.

Think of why you’re taking antibiotics in the first place. Isn’t it to treat the infection that you have? If you want to get well and be free from the illness that you’re suffering from, you then have to make sure that you’re doing the best you can to help your body recover.

Alcohol is known to cause dehydration, sleep problems, and negative symptoms which will only cause you to feel worse. Remember that to feel better, taking antibiotics will not be enough. You have to eat well, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep.

If you or a loved one is suffering from substance abuse, help is available.

Contact Lighthouse Treatment today.