When you're suffering from an infection, pain or a chronic illness, you probably have to take some type of medication. The question is whether you can have a glass of alcohol while taking that medication. Here are a few tips keep in mind.
Understanding antibiotics and alcohol
The interactions between antibiotics and alcohol varies depending on a number of factors, including the type of drug, the dose taken and the individual's metabolism. Some antibiotics can cause an accumulation of a toxic component of alcohol in the body, causing what is called the Antabuse effect. This in turn can lead to symptoms like hot flushes, headaches and nausea.
What’s more, alcohol can disrupt the body's ability to eliminate antibiotics, prolonging their effects and potentially even increasing the risk of side effects. Another important point is that consuming alcohol can aggravate common side effects of antibiotics like digestive disorders.
In short, while moderate alcohol consumption may be tolerated with some antibiotics, it’s best to avoid drinking alcohol during treatment to help minimize potential risks.
The risks of mixing alcohol and antibiotics
Effects on the liver
Drinking alcohol during antibiotic treatment can have harmful effects on the liver, the main organ responsible for metabolizing alcohol and drugs, including antibiotics. When these two substances are ingested at the same time, your liver can become overloaded, creating a risk of harmful side effects.
Excessive consumption of alcohol is harmful to health. And can, in certain cases, cause liver damage, leading to conditions like fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis.
The effects on treatment effectiveness
Consuming alcohol while you’re taking antibiotics can sometimes have an impact on the treatment. To be precise, alcohol can alter the way antibiotics are metabolized by the body, which can compromise their effects. While alcohol doesn't systematically reduce the effect of antibiotics, it’s important to remember that in some cases, it can compromise their potency, making them less effective at treating infection. Alcohol can also increase the side effects of antibiotics, including nausea, vomiting and migraine headaches. In certain cases, it can even cause convulsions.
Potential health dangers
Mixing antibiotics and alcohol can cause intestinal problems, because alcohol and certain types of antibiotics can irritate the stomach and the intestines. What’s more, when combined with antibiotics, alcohol can increase the risk of upset stomach, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
It's important to note that when your body absorbs certain medications, it becomes incapable of properly breaking down the alcohol you’ve consumed. As a result, the alcohol remains in your body, in a toxic form, for longer.
Amoxicillin and alcohol: do they go together?
Amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic often prescribed to treat respiratory and dental infections. Can you take amoxicillin while consuming alcohol? That’s a complex question. While the combination of the two isn’t officially contraindicated, it still has potential risks. Specifically, alcohol can increase the side effects of amoxicillin, such as digestive troubles and nausea. So, it’s best to limit the amount of alcohol you consume when taking amoxicillin. Better still, avoid it altogether.
Speak to your pharmacist before consuming alcohol during antibiotic treatment to ensure it’s safe for you.
Anti-inflammatories and alcohol: how long should you wait?
Consuming alcohol during treatment with an anti-inflammatory drug is a sensitive issue, because the effects of alcohol on the efficacy and side effects of these drugs depends on a number of factors, including the type of anti-inflammatory medication and the metabolism of the person under treatment.
In most cases, it’s recommended that you wait a minimum of 24 to 48 hours after the last dose of anti-inflammatory medication before you consume alcohol. This allows your body to fully metabolize and eliminate the drug before it has to deal with the alcohol. However, every person is different, and that waiting time may vary. So it's always best to speak to your pharmacist for personalized advice. Keep in mind that alcohol can also increase some of the side effects of anti-inflammatories, such as digestive troubles and bleeding.
Antidepressants and alcohol: what are the risks?
Drinking alcohol while taking antidepressants can cause a number of problems. For one, Alcohol can intensify the sedative effects of antidepressants, increasing the risk of accidents, especially when you’re driving. It can also increase the side effects of antidepressants, making treatment more difficult to endure.
Alcohol can also counteract the desired effects of antidepressants, making treatment less effective. As a result, feelings of depression and anxiety can worsen despite the treatment. In more serious cases, combining alcohol with antidepressants can even be dangerous or fatal. For those reasons and more, we strongly advise against mixing alcohol and antidepressants.
If you're taking antidepressants, it's always best to avoid alcohol or to limit the amount you drink. Speak to your pharmacist for more information.
The interaction between metronidazole and alcohol
Can I drink while taking metronidazole?
Metronidazole is an antibiotic that’s commonly used to treat a broad variety of bacterial infections. However, it’s generally ill advised to combine it with alcohol because of the increased risk of side effects. On rare occasions, it may cause the Antabuse effect, but since that phenomenon is quite unpleasant, it’s better not to take your chances. Here are a few examples of other associated side effects:
- Redness in the face;
- Overheating;
- Nausea;
- Vomiting;
- Accelerated heart rate.
What's more, drinking alcohol when you’re taking metronidazole can increase the drug's side effects. These include fatigue, reduced concentration and digestive disorders. All in all, it’s best to limit your alcohol intake during antibiotic treatment.
Mixing medication and alcohol? Speak to your pharmacist!
Mixing medication with alcohol has potential risks. And while some medications may be compatible with a moderate amount of alcohol consumption, others can cause side effects. What’s more, the effectiveness of certain treatments can be affected by alcohol. So, if you’re taking medication and are considering having a drink, it’s essential you discuss the risks and potential consequences with your pharmacist first.
