Many prescription bottles come labeled with a sticker that warns against alcohol use with the antimicrobial (1). Understanding the evidence behind this warning is important, given the commonality of prescribing and the diverse classes and various properties of antimicrobials (2). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that approximately 270 million antibiotics were prescribed for outpatients in 2016 (3). The National Consumers League and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have also warned consumers to avoid alcohol with linezolid, metronidazole, griseofulvin, and antimycobacterials (5).

• According to the official FDA label, there are no cephalexin interactions with alcohol.
• It is classified as a cephalosporin antibiotic; it works by blocking the ability of bacteria to create a cell wall.
• While alcohol use should still be avoided with certain antimicrobials, use with select others appears to be acceptable.

For example, you should probably avoid using alcohol while taking the antifungals Nizoral (ketoconazole) or Gris-PEG (griseofulvin), due to risk of liver problems. However, some other antifungals, such as Diflucan (fluconazole), might be able to be used more safely with alcohol. Medical professionals may advise against drinking while you are taking antibiotics for several different reasons. We’re here 24/7 to help guide you or your loved on through rehab and recovery.

Learning Why Alcohol Interferes with Antibiotics

Mixing alcohol with certain antibiotics can also damage vital organs, including the liver. The kidneys are responsible for removing toxins, including medications, from the blood and body through urine. Antibiotics can overburden and damage kidneys and alcohol exacerbates this. Disulfiram-like reactions have been reported in people combining antibiotics and alcohol.

She's a highly respected writer in the health and nutrition space and loves talking about the power of diet. Lauren aims to connect people with the information and resources to live their healthiest, fullest life. While robust data are lacking, recent studies have determined that alcohol may be used moderately and cautiously when taking tetracyclines. Oxazolidinones may be used for certain infections, such as osteomyelitis, an infection in the bones, or endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart muscle.

Legal Conditions and Terms

Drinking alcohol can cause long-term side effects, so getting the proper recovery treatment is essential. Ethionamide package labeling recommends against excessive alcohol consumption (113). Ethionamide, often used in combination with pyrazinamide, is known to cause hepatotoxicity (113). An observational study of 55 alcoholics with TB found that mild liver impairment in alcoholics is not a contraindication for treatment with ethionamide (114). Of the 55 patients in that study, 30 received ethionamide and three patients developed parenchymal liver damage. Two of these cases may have been related to the concurrent use of pyrazinamide (114).

• Our honesty and knowledge require us to tell you the things not to do also.
• Alcohol interferes with some antibiotics in different ways, which may alter the effectiveness or side effects.
• Your dosage will be based on how much your kidneys are damaged.
• While the combination of Levaquin and alcohol use might not kill you, it can cause seriously dangerous side effects.

Antibiotics are among the most commonly prescribed medications in the outpatient setting (2). Warnings may vary depending on the pharmacy that dispense the prescription. Patients commonly are counseled or their prescription bottles carry a warning sticker to avoid consumption of alcohol while receiving antibiotics (1) (Table 1). It is a common belief that concomitant use of alcohol with antibiotics either will cause toxicity/ADR or will decrease efficacy (6, 7). The evidence behind these beliefs is poor and controversial (Tables 2 to ​to4).4). The articles were chosen after a search of published English language medical literature.

Levofloxacin and Alcohol

Seven subjects had a positive response of a 30 mm Hg increase in SBP during both placebo and treatment phases, suggesting that the result may have been related to other factors. The median tyramine dose required to produce a 30 mm Hg increase in SBP was 325 mg in the tedizolid group. Package labeling for tedizolid reflects no specific dietary limitations for tyramine-containing foods (86). When levoFLOXacin as the oral solution is given with enteral (tube) feedings, levoFLOXacin may not work as well.

Some people can experience side effects from combining the two—at least for certain antibiotics—and in some cases, it might slow down the healing process. If you’d like to still drink while taking an antibiotic, talk with the healthcare https://stylevanity.com/2023/07/top-5-questions-to-ask-yourself-when-choosing-sober-house.html provider treating you. For some infections, we have multiple antibiotic options open. Ask about what we know about using alcohol with that antibiotic. You might be able to switch to a different antibiotic with a better safety record.

To our knowledge, there are no data available on the efficacy/toxicity or ADR of penicillins. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. These signs and symptoms could indicate a serious allergic reaction. Cephalexin is a generic antibiotic known by the brand name Keflex. It is classified as a cephalosporin antibiotic; it works by blocking the ability of bacteria to create a cell wall. The cell wall is a key part of the bacterial cell structure.

To help prevent low blood sugar, eat meals on a regular schedule, and no not skip meals. Your doctor may need to switch you to another antibiotic or adjust your diabetes medications if any reaction occurs. However, some people may be able to safely drink alcohol in limited quantities while still on an antibiotic. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider and weigh your overall health background in the context of your specific antibiotic treatment.

Side Effects

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Therefore, we treat you as an individual with your own set of circumstances. At Garden State Treatment Center, you can find an outpatient treatment that suits you perfectly. Let us hear from you on our Live Chat feature online, or call us today. Cycloserine may decrease alcohol craving, and the package inset warns of seizures with concomitant alcohol use, but data to support this warning were not identified.