In general, drinking alcohol while fighting an infection may not be wise. But some antibiotics have a specific and sometimes very dangerous interaction with alcohol.
Usually alcohol does not affect how well an antibiotic works to fight an infection, but the combination may lead to unpleasant side effects. However, in some circumstances levels of a drug in your bloodstream might be changed which could alter effectiveness.
Alcohol is metabolized (broken down) in the liver extensively by enzymes. Some drugs are also metabolized by the same or similar enzymes. Depending upon how often and how much alcohol is consumed, changes in these enzymes may change how drugs are broken down in your body.
Significant Antibiotic Alcohol Drug Interactions
Sulfamethoxazole / Trimethoprim - Fast heartbeat, warmth or redness under your skin, tingly feeling, nausea, and vomiting.
Metronidazole - Disulfiram-like reaction: abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches, flushing may occur; also possible with systemic absorption of vaginal cream.
Linezolid - Increased risk of hypertensive crisis (dangerous elevated blood pressure).
Tinidazole - Disulfiram-like reaction which may include abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches, flushing.
Cefotetan - Disulfiram-like reaction which may include abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches, flushing.
Rifampin - Combination with alcohol may increase risk for liver toxicity.
Isoniazid - Increased risk of liver toxicity if daily alcohol consumption
Cycloserine - Combination may increase risk of central nervous system toxicity; possible seizures.
Ethionamide - Combination may increase risk of central nervous system toxicity; possible psychosis.
Voriconazole - Combination with alcohol may either increase or decrease voriconazole levels due to altered liver metabolism.
Ketoconazole - Combination with alcohol may increase risk of liver toxicity and disulfiram-like reaction which may include abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches, flushing
Pyrazinamide - combination with alcohol may increase risk for liver toxicity
Thalidomide - combination with alcohol may increase risk for additive sedation, drowsiness, confusion; use caution if driving or operating machinery
Information Source www.drugs.com
