Drink on Antibiotics
Edited by Train Wreck, Eng, VisiHow
You are ill and your doctor has prescribed you one or more antibiotics. In spite of your condition, you know that in a couple of days there is a party that you've been waiting for. You're planning to drink some alcohol with your friends. Should you give up going to the party, or will you drink regardless of the antibiotics that you are taking? The answer isn't always a simple yes or no. Read on to find out when you can and can't drink on antibiotics.
Consider if you Really Need to Drink
Completing your antibiotic treatment usually takes seven to ten days. Interrupting treatment or failing to complete it will only strengthen the bacteria you've been taking antibiotics to fight. Of course, not all antibiotics require you to avoid alcohol, but if you drink too much you might not be in any condition to take your antibiotics. That means you'll still interrupt your treatment, so you should definitely consider if it is worth the risk if you aren't sure. You will undoubtedly have other occasions to drink alcohol with your friends. In fact, you can even attend the party and enjoy your time without consuming alcohol. However, if you cannot resist the temptation to drink alcohol, make sure you carefully read the tips below.
Consult a Doctor or Pharmacist
Before you drink alcohol while you are taking antibiotics, consult your doctor. The best option is to make an appointment with the same doctor that prescribed you this particular medicine. Ask if you are able to drink alcohol during treatment. If you can drink alcohol with your current antibiotic prescription, then follow up with a request for instructions and advice on how to take the medication before and after drinking. If you are unable to make an appointment with the same doctor, consult with another doctor.
- 1Your pharmacist will know the ingredients of the medication you are taking quite well. They may be able to tell you whether or not the type of antibiotic that you are taking will interact with alcohol. Just keep in mind that pharmacists aren't doctors. Also remember that given an antibiotic in general, you should be aware of its potential side effects. Some of these can include but are not limited to nausea, sleepiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, and diarrhea.If you are not able to consult with a doctor, then you should speak to a pharmacist.
- 2This is because, if you're already experiencing unpleasant symptoms, drinking isn't going to make them any better. Worse, if you are planning to mix alcohol with antibiotics, sometimes the alcohol can actually make these side effects more severe.Put another way, even if you can drink alcohol on your current antibiotics, you might not want to.
Check the Warning Label on Your Antibiotics
It is always recommended to check the warning label of any medication you're about to take. Read it carefully. You will likely find useful information concerning drinking alcohol on the label. Moreover, on drugs.com you will find a list of antibiotics that you should not mix alcohol with under any circumstances. Make sure your medication is not listed there! You may also use the Drug Interactions Checker to read more about the medication that you've been prescribed. Obviously, as we suggested earlier, check with a doctor first.
Limit the Amount of Alcohol you Drink
Even if you obtain permission from your doctor or pharmacist to drink while you are taking antibiotics, remember one crucial thing: taking antibiotics weakens your system. This means that you're not able to drink as much alcohol as you normally would. Don't be surprised if you get drunk after consuming two beers instead of the four or five that you might otherwise have over the course of an evening. That means you'll want to make sure you eat a good meal before you go out drinking, and also take steps to ensure you're drinking responsibly. IN other words, remember to control yourself twice as much as you normally would.
Additional Tips
- If the antibiotic you are taking does not have negative effects associated with the consumption of alcohol, then the influence of combining alcohol with antibiotics will depend primarily on individual sensitivity. Some people may not feel any consequences, while the others may suffer from serious side effects or sickness. However, it is important to know what the potential effects of mixing alcohol and antibiotics may be. This is why we recommend you just avoid the risk entirely, and abstain from alcohol for the week to ten days it will take you to finish your prescription.
See more related tutorials: Treat Alcohol Poisoning, Drink Alcohol and Exercise, Get Rid of Alcohol Breath, Be a Designated Driver, Sleep After Drinking, DUI Fines, Drink Responsibly, Determine If You Have Alcohol Poisoning, Drink Without Getting Drunk, Eat Before You Drink Alcohol, Get Help with a Drinking Problem, and Drink Alcohol.
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Categories : Health & Wellness
Recent edits by: Eng, Train Wreck