It'd be very nice if people would avoid spreading urban legends and old wives' tales. Knee-jerk overreaction is also bad. Alcohol is, in and of itself, a drug. To say that you should never have alcohol with any drug is like saying you should never take anything, even aspirin, with a decongestant. The reason alcohol is counter-indicated in many medications is that sedation is a common side-effect, and alcohol can intensify this effect... there are other reasons, but this is the most common one. The most dangerous interaction, probably, is between alcohol and the world's most common overthecounter drug: tylenol. Wash down a handful of acetaminophen with a couple shots of vodka, and if you survive at all, you'll most likely have permanent liver damage... so it's good to ask your pharmacist about interactions, but there's no need to irrationally assume there will be a harmful effect when there's no evidence thereof.

However, if you are ill enough to need an antibiotic, then a systemic depressant like alcohol may slow your recovery (no matter what medications you are taking), but that has nothing to do with drug interactions, and moderate drinking (a couple of drinks, or two or three beers one evening) isn't likely to do all that much. I am not a doctor, so here's a cite from a reputable source, with links to the quoted material following:

<i>
Dr. Alan Galbraith says:

"There is no reason whatsoever that alcohol cannot be drunk while on amoxycillin or for most antibiotics. I do not know where this urban myth came from but it is very widespread even amongst some of the medical profession. There is only one group of commonly used drugs which are antibiotics in the wider sense of this term that may cause unpleasant adverse effects when taken with alcohol. These are the imidazoles, of which metronidazole (Flagyl) is the commonest in use."

"Contrary to popular believe there is no problems with alcohol and amoxycillin; most people including some doctors have this complete misconception."</i>

http://en.allexperts.com/.../...illin-Alcohol.htm http://en.allexperts.com/.../...l-amoxicillin.htm

Is it really best to take amoxicillin on an empty stomach? My leaflet doesn't mention that and I'd be grateful for a definitive answer. Also, why do they use colouring on the shell that can cause an allergic reaction including asthma? Is it just me or is that really, REALLY stupid especially as I've been having an asthma attack for 4 days now and the paramedic diagnosed bronchitis?!!

Thanks for such a FANTASTIC forum, I will bookmark this as it is incredibly useful. Thank you to all the people who answered and explained the myth, I raise my (smallish) glass to you! S x

Although it is sensible to avoid drinking alcohol when taking any medication, it is unlikely that drinking alcohol in moderation will cause problems if you are taking most common antibiotics. However, it is necessary to completely avoid drinking when taking certain kinds of antibiotics, because the adverse effects are more severe(breathlessness, headache, increased or irregular heart rate, low blood pressure, nausea and vomiting) In order to avoid these adverse effects it is preferable to consult a doctor before drinking alcohol while on antibiotics.

There is no interaction between amoxicillin and alcohol so are free to drink.

u can just dont drink as much cause it will make u feel even more drunkk!!

Yes you can.

I've done it personally.

You know how they say that one of the potential side effects of amoxicillin is eupohria?

Throw some alchohol in the mix, and you are a very comfortable drunk.

i think in moderation it should be ok. rite? lol

Ok lets try end it here. You can drink with antibiotics (with possible exception of metronidazole). Alcohol has no effect on their actions, they are not slowed or counter acted or anything. Their action remains the same. Alcohol however will have an effect on your body and if your ill and needing antibiotics then your body will still feel poor because of drinking. But you will feel like that weather or not you are on antibiotics or not!!!

The myth actually seems to of come from the early days of antibiotics. They were perscribed to people for STDs and doctors told them they couldnt drink with them in the hope that if they didnt get drunk they would be less likely to have sex and spread there nasties about.

That is the myth and this is the facts

You shouldn't drink any alcohol while take any medications.
If you drink alcohol it can stop the amoxicillin working to make you better. While the label doesn't say 'not to', it is still not a good idea.
So don't.

you should mix drugs and alcohol

No, like Velvet and the good Dr. Allan Galbraith both say, you should not expect any adverse side effects, you'll just slow down the effect of the antibiotic. Stay away from alcohol with the other two that Velvet mentioned though. They do not mix. Otherwise if anyone says amoxycillin reacts with alcohol, they are talking out of their arse.