To drink alcohol when I'm on penicillin?

[Sickofthisnow]

I am on day 3 of a 7 course of antibiotics for a chest infection. It's been pretty miserable I'm still shattered but definitely improving. Today it's my birthday and DH has booked my favourite restaurant I really would enjoy a cocktail tonight- does anyone know if this would be OK? I'm not planning on having a huge bender just one or two drinks but I'm worried they'll interfere with the antibiotics.

[SweetChickadee]

unless your pill bottle says AVOID ALCOHOL you should be fine.

[Klaphat]

www.bbc.com/future/story/20130917-truth-about-drink-and-antibiotics

[Elphame]

Alcohol is fine with most antibiotics including penicillin - it will say on the leaflet if you should avoid alcohol.

[Wolfiefan]

Ask a pharmacist if you're not sure. You don't want to be ill.

[SweetChickadee]

oh and happy birthday!

[Mintychoc1]

You'll be fine.
(I'm a GP)

[StarryIllusion]

You might end up regretting it. I drank with antibiotics once and only once. I spent a solid hour in the toilets heaving my guts up. Then the other end decided to jump on the bandwagon. It was only 2 ciders. It may not interfere itself but they aren't doing you any good if you throw them up.

[Mari50]

It's fine, invariably it's advised not to drink alcohol with antibiotics because they can reduce the effectiveness of the ab's. If you ever have to take metronidazole though don't mix with alcohol as there is a genuine interaction.

[ootsideinbacktaefront]

Only metronidazole should be avoided.

[CorporalNobbyNobbs]

My doc would say that's fine. He says the reason you shouldn't drink if on antibs is because you shouldn't drink if you're ill, not because of the meds. I think a couple wouldn't hinder your recovery though. Happy birthday enjoy!

[MrsJayy]

Only thing is you might feel a bit sick penicillin makes me feel bleurgh but if you are feeling ok have a drink and Happy birthday

[Fluffyears]

If the leaflet says not too then avoid. My friend had two mouthfuls of a drink once and spent hours spewing.

[questioningitall]

As above. There's only one antibiotic, I believe, that you shouldn't drink on. I did (should have read the bloody label) and felt absolutely dreadful!

You'll be fine re the penicillin, but I would question going out for dinner and drinks on a horrible chest infection. I imagine that will set you back a few days recovery.

[flumpybear]

Crack on .....unless metronidazole enjoy!!

[purpleprincess24]

I've never had a problem drinking alcohol when on antibiotics

However I was once given a prescription for antibiotics when I had a tummy upset and the doctor and then the pharmacist told me that I must not drink as it would make me ill .... I did as I was told

[StarryIllusion]

Interesting that you all say Metronidazole. My dad drinks like a fish on that and is fine. It was Amoxicillin that I ended up ill on.

[SauvignonBlanche]

Cheers!