Does drinking alcohol (only a couple) affect antibiotics (amoxicillin and clarythromycin) and how?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Alcohol activates an enzyme system in your liver called cytochrome P450. This increases the break down of amoxicillin and clarythromycin and therefore makes them less effective.

Answer 2

not really, all they do is lessen the effect of the biotic.

Answer 3

Yes but i dont know how.

Answer 4

if it is jsut a few beer,s then nothing real bad will happen, althouh you should not drink at all! afdter all, the liver metabolizes both ,and alcohol can aggravate it! when mixed with medicines!

Answer 5

It will stop you getting the full effect of the medicine you are taking that is why they advise you not to drink alcohol.

Answer 6

Yes, they lessen the effectiveness of the antibiotic.
I wouldn't drink alcohol while you are on the medication---that is if you want the medication to work so you can get better.

Also remember, antibiotics lessen the effectiveness of BIRTH CONTROL PILLS. If you are on them, you will need to take extra precautions (condoms) until a week AFTER you finished the antibiotic.

Source(s):

FDA researcher

Answer 7

yes
reduces the effects of the medication

Source(s):

RN

Answer 8

it can do but if you drink enough, it will kill the toothache

Answer 9

not a very good idea to drink alcohol (even 'only o couple') when on antibiotics. your body is trying to cope with an infection already and it needs your support. a course of antibiotics - as it changes the levels of bacteria (even friendly bacteria) within your body - is a challenge for your organism so it makes more sense to go with it not against it.

Answer 10

yes,,they will cancel out the antibiotics...can make you sick...just stop boozing for a week..then you,ll be as right as rain....please,take your antibiotics...coz,years ago,,my mothers loved a drink..so it was xmas time,,so cancelling the tablets...re...her chest....she drank ever day,,untill new years day..so,septicemia went on her chest..she died,jan4th....she was 64...so,take it easy..mary.

Source(s):

im an auxillairy nurse...and also..i read papers,,and medical papers,,,or the internet.

Answer 11

alcohol reduces the effectiveness of these antibiotics and if u are only taking them for a few days then last thing u need to do is reduce the effectiveness. some antibiotics such as metronidazole u must not drink with as they will make u vomit.

Answer 12

Neither antibiotic has any interaction with alcohol.

Source(s):

GP for more years than I care to remember