Drinking alcohol is generally not recommended while taking antibiotics. Alcohol can interfere with how some antibiotics work, increase the risk of liver toxicity, or trigger unwanted side effects depending on the specific medication.
Some of the main antibiotics that should not be used with alcohol include:
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Erythromycin
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Doxycycline
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Isoniazid
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Ceftriaxone
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Metronidazole
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Sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim
Whether alcohol is harmful when taking antibiotics depends on the type of medication being prescribed. For this reason, it is important to follow the doctor’s instructions during treatment. The doctor can advise if drinking alcohol should be avoided completely and explain the risks of combining alcohol with the specific antibiotic.