Talk to your GP, or pharmacist, if you have concerns about any of the information below, or if you need help understanding it, and relating it to your own situation. You can also phone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
It is sensible to avoid drinking alcohol when taking medication. However, it is unlikely that drinking alcohol in moderation will cause problems if you are taking most common antibiotics.
In order to reduce the health risks that are associated with drinking alcohol, the Department of Health recommends that men should drink no more than 3-4 units of alcohol a day, and that women should drink no more than 2-3 units of alcohol a day.
When to avoid drinking alcohol completely
It is necessary to completely avoid drinking alcohol when taking the antibiotics described below.
Metronidazole
Metronidazole is sometimes used to clear dental, or vaginal, infections, or to clear infected leg ulcers, or pressure sores.
Tinidazole
Tinidazole is sometimes used to treat many of the same infections as metronidazole, as well as to help clear bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) from the gut.
Drinking alcohol when you are taking either metronidazole, or tinidazole, can cause a serious reaction. The symptoms of this reaction include:
- breathlessness,
- headaches,
- chest pain,
- skin flushing,
- increased, or irregular, heartbeat,
- low blood pressure (hypotension), and
- nausea and vomiting.
Other antibiotics that may interact with alcohol
Co-trimoxazole
Occasionally, co-trimoxazole can cause a similar reaction to that of metronidazole, or tinidazole, if you drink alcohol while you are taking it. However, with co-trimoxazole, the side effects above are very rare, and drinking alcohol in moderation does not normally cause a problem.
Linezolid
If you are taking linezolid, you should avoid drinking alcoholic drinks that contain a substance called tyramine, such as wine, beer, sherry, and lager.
Erythromycin
Drinking alcohol while you are taking erythromycin may make you drowsy. Alcohol can also make erythromycin less effective.
Side effects
It is also important to note that some antibiotics may have a variety of side effects, such as sleepiness and dizziness, that might be made worse by drinking alcohol. Alcohol is likely to worsen these effects.
You should not drive, or operate machinery, if you are taking an antibiotic which makes you drowsy. Also, avoid drinking alcohol and driving regardless of whether or not you are taking antibiotics.
Check with your GP, or pharmacist, when you are given your prescription, if you are unsure about whether or not you can drink alcohol while you are taking antibiotics.
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