“I’m currently taking antibiotics and want to go out and have a couple of drinks with my friends this weekend. Can you drink alcohol while you’re on antibiotics? If not, should I stop taking the medication to reduce the risk?”
Antibiotics are prescribed to treat infections caused by bacteria that could take too long to clear without treatment. They are not effective against viruses such as coughs or colds. Different types of antibiotics work in unique ways, with some killing bacteria, while others stop bacteria from multiplying. It may take a few hours or days after taking the first dose before people feel better or their symptoms improve.
When it comes to drinking alcohol, it’s important to remember that you’ve been prescribed antibiotics for a reason. If you’ve been unwell, it’s important to remember that a night out could adversely affect your recovery. Only you can decide whether you’re well enough to go out and have a couple of drinks and, at the same time, weigh up how that may affect your ability to continue to get better. As already said, antibiotics are prescribed to treat bacterial infections and a night out drinking while your body is trying to fight a nasty infection that caused you to see a doctor in the first place may not be the best idea.
Not all antibiotics are the same and as with any medication, different ones may have very different interactions when taken with alcohol. Examples of possible side effects that can occur when particular antibiotics are taken while drinking include flushing of the skin, nausea and vomiting. Of course, potential interactions will differ from person to person and depend on how much alcohol is being consumed. As always, the more you drink, the greater the potential risk.
There are certainly some antibiotics that should never be mixed with alcohol, so it’s important to check with your doctor if you’re planning to drink while taking the course you’ve been prescribed.
There was once concern that mixing antibiotics with alcohol would lower their effectiveness, i.e., they wouldn’t work as well as they should. Although, it’s now believed that drinking in moderation will not cause this to happen, combining alcohol with any prescribed medication could potentially lead to a range of unpleasant side effects. Using antibiotics by themselves can cause nausea, drowsiness, dizziness and stomach pain, all of which can be made worse by alcohol.
When given the opportunity to go out and have a drink with some friends, some people, particularly if they’re starting to feel better, are tempted to stop taking their medication to reduce the potential risks of mixing it with alcohol. Although there is some debate in the area, it’s generally agreed that it’s important to complete your course of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor. The Australian Government recommends taking the whole course as even if your symptoms go away, bacteria may still be present in your body and continue to multiply. If these bacteria become resistant to the antibiotics, they can potentially do even more harm.
It’s always a good idea to avoid drinking alcohol when you feel unwell or you’re getting over an illness or infection. Alcohol can cause dehydration, weaken your immune system and hinder the recovery process. There are always risks when combining alcohol with any medication and, although it’s unlikely that drinking in moderation will cause major problems if you’re taking most antibiotics, it’s always wise to ask your doctor just to be sure. My best advice would be to finish your course of antibiotics and spend the weekend at home completing the recovery process. Are a couple of drinks likely to cause any dangerous interactions? Most probably not, but there are potential risks. There are also lots of weekends ahead – ensure you’re healthy enough to enjoy those!
Please note that the advice provided is for information purposes only. As such, it cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional.
First published: April 2025
