Question by laura s: Does drinking alcohol affect antibiotics?
I know you shouldn’t drink with any medication, but will the alcohol stop the antibiotic from working?

Best answer:

Answer by Wendy M
Information from the Mayo Clinic:

“Alcohol doesn’t diminish the effectiveness of most antibiotics. However, antibiotics and alcohol can cause similar side effects, such as stomach upset, dizziness and drowsiness. When you combine antibiotics and alcohol, these side effects may increase.

A few antibiotics — such as metronidazole (Flagyl), tinidazole (Tindamax) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) — should not be mixed with alcohol because this may result in a more severe reaction. Drinking any amount of alcohol with these medications can result in side effects such as flushing, headache, nausea and vomiting, rapid heart rate, and shortness of breath. Keep in mind that some cold medicines and mouthwashes also contain alcohol. So check the label and avoid such products while taking these antibiotics.

Rarely, alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of certain antibiotics — such as doxycycline (Vibramycin, Doryx) — which means a higher dose may be required to achieve the same treatment benefit.”

So it seems the answer is that alcohol probably won’t stop the effectiveness of an antibiotic (unless you’re taking a doxycycline), but could give you some nasty side effects.

Add your own answer in the comments!

 

 

Chicago Illinois Alcohol Treatment Clinic – www.transformationstreatment.com The goal of a sober living facility is to provide transitional housing for recovering addicts and alcoholics that have previously successfully completed an inpatient treatment or rehabilitation program. What is a sober living facility? Typically a sober living facility is a place which provides a supportive, structured environment for those addicts not yet ready to face life in the outside world. The goal of a sober living program is not intended to be a long-term living arrangement, but rather a transitional facility which gives an individual a reasonably priced, clean, structured environment with others that share the same goal of maintaining sobriety. For More information please call at 1-866-211-5538

 

Kentucky works to give addicted inmates treatment while still behind bars

Filed under: alcohol treatment clinic

Inmates at the Marion County Detention Center take part in an alcohol abuse treatment session last month. Kentucky corrections officials hope providing treatment will keep inmates from returning to prison. / Kylene White/The Courier-Journal. More …
Read more on The Courier-Journal

 

Seabrook House's VP Of Treatment Services Named Chairwoman Of The …

Filed under: alcohol treatment clinic

As the Vice-President of Treatment Services for Seabrook House, a drug and alcohol treatment center in New Jersey, Loebs sees each day the adverse impact that drug and alcohol abuse can have on children and families. "Seabrook House has fully …
Read more on Sacramento Bee

 

Duluth panel: Substance abuse eats 15 percent of state budget

Filed under: alcohol treatment clinic

Given that, more needs to be spent on prevention and treatment methods that are effective, several panelists said. Gary Olson, director of the Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment, said he knows how to pay for it. “Get the manufacturers, the sellers …
Read more on Duluth News Tribune