Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Antibiotics?
Have you ever wondered if you can drink alcohol when using antibiotics? The answer is NO. You are highly encouraged to abstain from alcohol for the entire duration of your therapy and 72 hours after your last dose.
Although not all antibiotics and alcohol interact, doing so can have serious adverse effects. If you have an addiction to alcohol, an intensive outpatient treatment such as those offered at The Recovery Team can help.
Types of Antibiotics
Antibiotics are prescribed to treat bacterial infections. Some antibiotics, including metronidazole (Flagyl), tinidazole (Tindamax), and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim), ban alcohol consumption while taking the medication for fear of adverse side effects.
Such adverse side effects while taking these antibiotics include flushing, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and a rapid heartbeat.
How Antibiotics Work
Antibiotics are drugs that reduce the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics can battle all bacterial diseases, such as infections.
Antibiotics either stop the production of antibodies or remediate them by removing pre existing germs. Antibiotics are generally the best option because the foreign bacteria are massive to handle for your immune system as your body’s white cells aren’t able to battle with them.
Alcoholic drinks can increase the higher risks associated with antibiotics.
Most antibiotics are safe, but there can be several effects, such as nausea, upset stomach, vertigo, sleepiness, headaches, and even epilepsy.
There are several varieties of antibiotics on the market and different types of antibiotics that cure a variety of ailments, including:
- Throat infections
- Pneumococcal pneumonia
- Ear infections
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Skin conditions like acne
- Sexually transmissible infections
Length of Treatment
Antibiotics must be taken for 7 to 14 days, typically. However, drinking alcohol might make your misery worse. Instead of treating your illness, alcohol may be able to postpone the treatment of your symptoms.
Medical advice is a must before starting your antibiotic treatment course.
Mixing Antibiotics With Alcohol
Some antibiotics, such as linezolid (Zyvox), and red wine, may interact. While consuming Zyvox, alcoholic beverages could cause your blood pressure to increase dangerously.
The recovery time for your infection will also increase when you use alcohol and antibiotic medications. Many antibiotics have warnings on the label, and you can also inquire with your doctor about the likelihood of these severe side effects.
However, if you’re serious about fighting the infection, it’s best to avoid taking the chance and stop using alcohol completely.
Side Effects of Antibiotics and Alcohol
Alcohol might intensify any side effects the antibiotics might have as it is one of the substances that are unsuitable for use with antibiotics.
The adverse effects of antibiotic medications can include dizziness, nausea, nausea, indigestion, stomach discomfort, vomiting, bloating, and more.
Dehydration, difficulty sleeping, and other undesirable symptoms are all known to be brought on by alcohol and can only make you feel worse.
Keep in mind that taking antibiotics alone won’t make you feel better. You must have a balanced diet, remain hydrated, and obtain adequate rest.
Liver Damage
When you consume antibiotics, your liver breaks down the drug. Drinking alcohol while taking antibiotics may make your liver work too hard because the liver also processes alcohol, and some medications are known to damage the liver.
The amount of alcohol you consume may also impact how your body metabolizes the drug.
Immune System Damage
The body’s immune system is in charge of protecting against diseases and viruses. If your immune system is weak, your body will have difficulty healing, even if you are taking antibiotics. Alcohol directly leads to liver damage as ALDH levels are lessened when you develop an alcohol tolerance.
Drinking alcohol may make your immune system even more vulnerable. Alcohol consumption while taking antibiotics is a barrier to your body’s ability to recuperate. While the antibiotics are working to treat the infection, alcohol reduces the immune system’s response, which makes your body less able to repair the infection.
Do Not Mix Alcohol With Antibiotics
Substance abuse while taking medications like antibiotics can adversely affect your health. Alcohol will undermine the body’s natural response to healing.
An individual should abstain from alcohol use during the antibiotic treatment. You can consider giving rest to your body to help against the infection with the help of antibiotics.
When you have an alcohol addiction, you will be deprived of nutrients and hydration, which will affect how fast you recover. Seek the help of a treatment facility. A treatment provider will definitely help.
After your last pill, wait 72 hours before participating in moderate alcohol use.
The serious side effects may include the following:
Even though moderate alcohol use doesn’t affect the efficiency of most antibiotics, it can lower your energy and prolong the time it takes to recover from an infection.
So it’s wise to hold off on drinking until you’ve finished your antibiotics and are feeling better.
Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use is known to have similar adverse effects even if you are not taking antibiotics. As a result, mixing the two medications may worsen these unwanted side effects.
The causes of alcohol addiction can vary for different people. Whatever the reason for addiction, you can get into a trauma program to achieve sobriety. Be on the lookout for warning signs of alcoholism in friends and family.