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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/q/Pharmacy-1407/Percocetl-Amoxicillin-Alcohol.htm http://en.allexperts.com/q/Pharmacy-1407/Alcohol-amoxicillin.htm
by Empress of Everything Ever on April 4th, 2008
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.
by Anonymous on November 5th, 2008
you should mix drugs and alcohol
by SuzySue on October 27th, 2009
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
by nzguy.. on April 8th, 2009
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.
by caseyG on March 13th, 2009
u can just dont drink as much cause it will make u feel even more drunkk!!
by Skaterdude on January 13th, 2009
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.
by man_in_the_know on November 6th, 2008
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
by the devil's advocate on July 31st, 2008
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.
by Anonymous on June 20th, 2008
i think in moderation it should be ok. rite? lol
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by lani2 on April 10th, 2010
Why would you want to drink alcohol (make your body work harder to maintain homeostasis) when you have an infection that requires amoxicillin? As for quoting Dr. Alan Galbraith in the original answer, you might note he has a PhD in a nonmedical field, not an MD. His quote "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." is surprising (not to mention amoxicillin is spelled wrong. Alcohol is contraindicated for many, many medications because it changes the ability of your liver to metabolize certain medications. This increases the toxicity of those medications considerably.
by natty-lou on November 5th, 2008
i am on amoxicillin at the moment as i have a chest infection and toncilitus. my course is until monday but its my birthday friday and i have a night out planned. i dont no wat to do bout consuming alcohol as when i was on penicillin and drank it made me sick
by lyssaj on January 13th, 2009
I've taken amoxill plenty of times, and I've never drank while I was on it. It will probably just slow the medicinal effects down, not hurt you. Since the label said not to drink while on it, I'd ask a professional for advice. Your doctor or pharmacist maybe.
by Tel UK- Licensed to fish! on January 13th, 2009
I have the leaflet for Amoxicillin in front of me now.
Nowhere does it say you cannot take alcohol with these tablets.
I have taken Amoxicilin on several occassions for dental reasons and have never been told to ,and have never ,abstained whilst on them.
Because of my medical history I sometimes have to take a high powder dose,alchol has never bothered me when taking this either.
Watch out for the diarrhoea on high dosages,powder,or 3x500mg per day.
Wish you better.
by dumdum on January 13th, 2009
Label says not to but you want to, so you ask for advice from people you don't know - sure go ahead if you insist but I wouldn't.
by mandyreeves on December 30th, 2009
i have the leaflet that came with my amoxicillin and nowhere does it say no acahol so as its new years eve tomorrow i shall be drinking whilst taking them
by hdiamond008 on February 24th, 2009
what does mixing alcohol w/ amoxicillin do to your blood alcohol level though?
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Comments
Amen! Dr. Andrew Weill says pretty much the same.
by uncacal on January 13th, 2009
Side note- I have been downrated for warning against Tylenol in the past!
by uncacal on January 13th, 2009
Thank you so much for this. The only things I could find started off their answers with something like "While alcohol should never be consumed in any event..." I'm sick, home from school for the holidays, and I would like a drink. Spare me the judgment.
by Lenny_P8086 on December 28th, 2010