Antibiotics and Alcohol: The Effects of Mixing Them

One case report documents a 46-year-old male who developed erythema multiforme while receiving ciprofloxacin after consuming alcohol (25). The reaction resolved with continued ciprofloxacin use and abstention from alcohol. It can cause nausea, dizziness, headache, chest and abdominal discomfort, flushing, vomiting, and hangover-like symptoms. A 2020 review shows a lack of solid evidence behind how common this is, but caution is still warranted.

Also, the antibiotic linezolid (Zyvox) interacts with some alcoholic drinks, including red wine and tap beer. Drinking these with this medicine can cause a harmful rise in blood pressure. A few antibiotics should not be mixed with any amount of alcohol.

Does alcohol affect Levofloxacin?

There are 2 alcohol/food/lifestyle interactions with levofloxacin. Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter OTC) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements. Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are using this medicine.

All of these factors can reduce your body’s ability to heal from an infection. Acute alcohol use, binge drinking, and chronic alcohol use can all be harmful, whether you take medication or not. Listening to your doctor or pharmacist’s advice can help you avoid the effects of an alcohol-drug interaction.

Levofloxacin and Alcohol/Food Interactions

A person may be able to drink alcohol in moderation and with caution while they are taking some types of antibiotics. However, a person should always consult a doctor before doing this. A person should speak with a healthcare professional if they have concerns about alcohol consumption and antibiotics. The table below summarizes the recommendations and effects of drinking alcohol while taking different antibiotics. People deficient in folic acid may be at risk of further reducing their folic acid levels while taking trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

Can You Drink Alcohol on Antibiotics? Potential Risks

1. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child start having numbness, tingling, or burning pain in the hands, arms, legs, or feet.
2. Check the inactive ingredient listing on the OTC „Drug Facts“ label to determine if alcohol (also called ethanol) is present in the product, or you can always ask your doctor or pharmacist.
3. Both alcohol and antibiotics can cause side effects in your body, and drinking alcohol while taking antibiotics can raise your risk of these harmful effects.
4. For example, you should probably avoid using alcohol while taking the antifungals Nizoral (ketoconazole) or Gris-PEG (griseofulvin), due to risk of liver problems.
5. If you have a severe reaction from the sun, check with your doctor.

Levofloxacin may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. If these reactions are especially bothersome, check with your doctor. If you have low blood potassium or an abnormally slow heartbeat, levofloxacin may increase your risk of having a fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness, or fainting spells. Levofloxacin may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you stop using this medicine.

Let’s look at Levofloxacin and alcohol’s negative interactions

Initially, it may not cause life-threatening symptoms, but it could result in severe complications down the road. If you mix Levofloxacin and alcohol, it may lead to dangerous agitation, confusion, and disorientation. Therefore, it’s crucial to refrain from such activities.Recent studies indicate that metabolizing alcohol weakens the immune system. Regarding the interactions between alcohol and levofloxacin, there do not appear to be any clear studies that have demonstrated an interaction between the two. However, doctors strongly recommended that patients avoid combining levofloxacin with alcohol.

Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. The interaction between alcohol and antibiotics has been a subject of considerable interest and concern due to its potential impact on patient well-being. But much of the time, the amount of alcohol is the most important consideration.

However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. This Do You Genuinely Like The Feeling Of Being Drunk medicine is best taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Several additional glasses of water should be taken every day, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Drinking extra water will help prevent some unwanted effects of levofloxacin.