To drink alcohol on antibiotics that say avoid alcohol?

[MummaRumma]

I got some metronidazole antibiotics and it says avoid alcohol.
Does that mean even 1 solitary glass of wine is not allowed? What will happen to me?
If I'm not allowed, how on earth do I get through a family filled Easter weekend!?!?
I did not think this damned bv infection through

I avoided alcohol when on it.

You can get the cream for bv.. you fill up an applicator and insert it before bed. It's messy but those are one evil antibiotic.

Or just put off taking them for a few days.

If you are so desperate for a drink that you are willing to drink on heavy duty antibiotics specifically against medical advice I think you have bigger problems than just this weekend.

Don't do it, you will be extremely unwell.

Another voice adding to the DON'T DO IT!!! I was told to avoid every drop; including in food.

What pottering said

Maybe you're being a bit hard on op, could easily just be a light hearted remark re getting through the weekend!! Most other anti biotics are fine to drink with even though general advice is don't, so it's not that wild a question.

Sorry should have said that comment is to posters suggesting she has an alcohol problem!

Avoid the booze. Get through your weekend on extra chocolate.

The pharmacist told me I'd pop if I drank alcohol while taking metronidazole.

I have no experience of antibiotics, but recognised the effects someone listed above because I've seen the effects of alcohol on someone taking Antabuse. Not pretty. He wound up in hospital.

I was taking these last week for an infection in my wisdom tooth. I had the odd glass of wine and was absolutely fine. It didn't stop them working and I didn't feel bad either.

Not that I'm condoning it

If you are on antibiotics, use whatever you are ill with to retire to bed at critical times. And avoid alcohol.

Metronidazole can cause what is called the disulfiram reaction. This causes violent vomiting, stomach pains and can make you feel very ill indeed.

Now only a certain percentage of people will get this reaction so you will always find examples of people who've drank and been fine. If you are going to be affected even a trace is enough to induce a horrific reaction so personally I wouldn't take the risk of finding out the hard way if I am one of those affected.

I dunno like I might not want to announce that particular infection to mixed company

My housemate at uni thought that would be a good idea once. We were cleaning the Brie off the wallpaper for weeks..

I'll pop my head up to stand with mylittlepeanutface and say that I have drunk moderately on that antibiotic with absolutely no side effects at all, the first time because I genuinely forgot I wasn't supposed to drink and the second time because nothing bad happened the first time.

Does anyone know of any bad reactions or are they quoting 'stories'?

I do know that if anyone suffers any symptoms while testing pharmaceuticals they have to be reported as potential side effects even if not linked to the drug being tested.

It's up to you OP.

On the plus side, you can always amuse yourself by being really discreet with the antibiotics and then every time you mention "Oh I can't drink. I'm ON ANTIBIOTICS, you know. Wink wink." everyone will assume you're secretly pregnant!

Some antibiotics are ok to drink on in that they will not make you ill, but will stop working. Others will actually make you seriously ill.

"Does anyone know of any bad reactions or are they quoting 'stories'?"

If the doctor and pharmacist says not to drink it is because their information is based on scientific evidence, not anecdotal data. It also clearly states why not on the NHS link above.

On any other antibiotic pretty much, you are fine. You'd be very, very silly (not to say, could be very unwell) drinking alcohol on metronidazole.

Alcohol is a no no with that one. The types of infection you may be taking it for may well be ones you wouldn't want to spout too much about in company too, though it does have other uses.

I have taken it before, and my GP was adamant it should not be mixed with alcohol. They usually don't mention it, but he did say it was imperative not to. I didn't.

Not everyone will get all of the side effects, and there will be exceptions to every rule, but it really isn't worth the risk.

I too came on to say not if it's Metro. Many, many years ago they used to prescribe it to alcoholics in the hopes of frightening them off the booze. Violently sick, breathing problems, hallucinations, cramps, the list is endless. Bloody dangerous if you drink with it.

I had two drinks once while taking these ABs and was like a puke sprinkler.