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HomeAddictionMixing Drugs & AlcoholAmoxicillin And Alcohol
Amoxicillin And Alcohol

7 Minutes

Edited & medically reviewed by THE BALANCE Team
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Amoxicillin is a commonly prescribed antibiotic used to fight off myriad bacterial infections. Although, it doesn’t chemically interact with alcohol, excessive alcohol use while on treatment can weaken the immune system and hinder recovery. Hydration and optimum nutrition are important, as are the recommended dosages of antibiotics.

Common Use Of Amoxicillin In Medical Treatment

A commonly prescribed antibiotic, amoxicillin is used to treat various bacterial infections from bacterial ear infections to respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections and skin infections. It is classified as a penicillin group of drugs, which stops the formation of the bacterial cell wall and so kills the bacteria [1].

Amoxicillin is often chosen as the first treatment for infections in adults and children because it is effective and has a relatively mild side effect profile. It comes in tablets, capsules, and liquid suspensions and is thus suitable for different patient needs. Amoxicillin therapy is dependent upon completing the full course to avoid the development of bacterial resistance, even if symptoms are relieved early.

Potential Risks Of Taking Amoxicillin While Drinking Alcohol

Amoxicillin is often effective, and well tolerated, but it raises a question about whether drinking alcohol during treatment is safe. While amoxicillin doesn’t directly react with alcohol as some other medications (e.g. metronidazole) do, there’s still the risk of drinking alcohol with amoxicillin. Amoxicillin side effects such as nausea, dizziness and upset stomach may become worse when you mix it with alcohol.

Moreover, consuming alcohol weakens the immune system and will often diminish the effectiveness of your antibiotics. Drinking alcohol when you already have a bacterial infection can extend your recovery or make the benefit of medication less than it should be [1]. All these risks underline the need to be cautious of alcohol use while taking antibiotics.

Interaction Of Alcohol With Prescription Medications

Prescription medications are greatly affected by alcohol. Alcohol is metabolized in the liver, which also processes most medications such as amoxicillin. These medications may not be as effective, and they can overtax the liver when combined with Alcohol. Sometimes alcohol will slow the metabolism of the drug, keeping more drugs in the body for a longer time which could cause side effects.

Alcohol And Other Antibiotics

Some antibiotics, such as metronidazole or tinidazole, are notorious for the bad reaction they can provoke if mixed with alcohol. These are disulfiram-like reactions, nausea, vomiting, headaches and fast heartbeat. Amoxicillin, while not as bad, is still best avoided during drinking, since that can make for an optimal recovery and minimize possible side effects.

Alcohol And Other CNS Depressants

Aside from antibiotics, the sedative effect of alcohol is gilded by other central nervous system (CNS) depressants such as painkillers or anti-anxiety medications. Amoxicillin is not a CNS depressant per se, but alcohol can make its side effects (such as dizziness or fatigue) more severe, so it can be harder to engage in everyday activities.

In this way, knowing how alcohol goes in with many prescription drugs, including antibiotics, patients as a result can better decide how to maintain their health. 

The second part of this article will look specifically at the effects of drinking alcohol while taking amoxicillin.

Impact On Efficacy Of Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic in a powerful class of antibiotics to kill off bacterial infections. Yet, poor lifestyle choices and the consumption of alcohol can lead to negative effects while using Amoxicillin. Drinking while on this drug may indirectly interfere with the drug’s ability to kill bacteria.

Alcohol stops your body from natural healing and disrupts your immune system. This can hinder recovery from infections, which is exactly opposite to what you would want when you are on antibiotics like amoxicillin and trying to eradicate an infection. In addition, alcohol overdosing can cause dehydration, hence disturbing the availability and distribution of Amoxicillin in your body.

How Alcohol Interferes With Amoxicillin Side Effects

Alcohol can worsen common side effects of Amoxicillin, such as stomach upset, nausea, and dizziness when used together. Due to more availability of the drug in the body systems, the side effects of antibiotics are amplified, making treatment more uncomfortable and causing patients to miss doses or stop the antibiotic too early [2]. This is risky for many reasons because it will increase the chance of bacterial resistance, leaving infections to be more difficult to treat in future.

Although alcohol doesn’t render the antibiotic ineffective completely, it is not advisable to drink while taking an antibiotic because of the other side effects of alcohol, such as reducing energy and operative efficiency of the immune system.

The Short-Term Effects Of Alcohol On Amoxicillin

Most of the short-term dangers of mixing alcohol with amoxicillin come from the additive side effects. It can cause, for instance, intensified dizziness or stomach discomfort to worsen, causing a short-term decline in well-being. These symptoms can make following the prescribing dosage schedule more difficult — and may affect the antibiotic’s effectiveness.

Not only does alcohol prevent the body from healing but also makes your blood sugar erratic and dehydrates it. Adequate hydration and balanced nutrition are required for patients recovering from infection and alcohol interferes with both these processes slowing recovery.

Effects Of Alcohol On The Immune System While On Antibiotics

We all know that alcohol suppresses the immune system which in turn affects the body’s capacity to deal with infections. Amoxicillin works to kill the bacterial pathogen responsible for the illness but the immune system is an important ally. Drinking alcohol while undergoing treatment can interfere with this team and extend the time that illness lasts and the likelihood that side effects occur.

A fairly common area of concern that comes up is whether consuming wine and amoxicillin together is safe. Wine is no different than your other forms of alcohol, and wine can have the same effects on recovery. Whether this form of alcohol or that, it’s better to let the body heal on its own and abstain from alcohol intake until the antibiotic course is over.

Suggested Waiting Period Before Taking Alcohol

Amoxicillin doesn’t directly interact adversely with alcohol but it is always advisable to wait before drinking after completing the antibiotic course. Most healthcare professionals suggest waiting at least 48 to 72 hours after your last dose of amoxicillin to drink alcohol [1]. This buffer period gives your system time to recoup and energize as the medication fully clears from your system, allowing your body to recover and the antibiotic to get the job done.

This waiting period rationale is based on maximizing your recovery. The body needs time to recover immune defences even after the symptoms of an infection have passed. The immune-suppressing, dehydrating effects of alcohol can interfere with this process if drunk too soon.

How Long You Should Wait Is Influenced By Certain Factors

Age and metabolism: As you get older, or if your metabolic rate is slower (naturally or due to a health condition), you may need more time for the amoxicillin to be metabolized [1].

The severity of the infection: If there is a more severe infection, you might need a longer period to get better, so it is wise to have an extended period of no alcohol.

Overall health: Amoxicillin is cleared from the body more slowly if your liver or kidneys are not working well.

If you’re not sure what to do, talk to your healthcare provider for advice that’s right for you based on your health profile and treatment.

How To Drink Safely After A Course Of Amoxicillin Treatment

Moderation is the key. Even after saying goodbye to your antibiotics, heavy or binge drinking can still stress out your systems. Instead try reintroducing it gradually after a few days, in very small quantities. This also means being sure to properly hydrate and have a balanced diet during this time.

The importance of moderating and timing your alcohol consumption rests squarely on the belief that you should not drink while on amoxicillin to avoid complications and long recovery periods. 

The truth about the risks of mixing alcohol and antibiotics like amoxicillin is clouded by misconception. It’s a myth many people believe that drinking alcohol will completely render the medication useless. This isn’t true for amoxicillin, but it is a common refrain for other antibiotics where alcohol can cause a very bad interaction; metronidazole and tinidazole, for instance. 

Another myth is that drinking any alcohol while taking antibiotics will cause dangerous side effects. Moderate drinking now and then is unlikely to have unintended consequences for amoxicillin. But that doesn’t mean you should, because alcohol can still make mild symptoms worse like nausea or dizziness.

Professionals in the medical field note that consuming alcohol during treatment is generally not recommended because of how alcohol affects your body in general. For example, acetate plays a role in the suppression of the immune system that comprises an indirect detriment to the antibiotic’s performance, as well as depletion of body fluids caused by alcohol.

Expert commentary and criticism in the scientific world often catch the fact that the main emphasis should be put on creating the best conditions for the body to heal. Staying away from alcohol while on amoxicillin helps to maintain minimal side effects and keep the immune system working correctly with the medication.

Medical professionals advise that alcohol interaction should be avoided during treatment to guarantee total recovery. There is less focus on what a direct reaction to the drug might look like and more importance placed on the stagnant nature of recovery.

1. Healthline. Combining Antibiotics and Alcohol: Is It Safe? https://www.healthline.com/health/antibiotics-alcohol

2. Very Well Health. Can You Mix Amoxicillin With Alcohol? https://www.verywellhealth.com/amoxicillin-and-alcohol-is-it-safe-8386107

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