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Original poster

Metronidazole and alcohol

14 replies

Nmeag · 04/12/2025 21:46

Posting here for traffic as I am in a mild panic. I am taking metronidazole for a tooth abscess which doesn't give me any pain but other antibiotics couldn't shift. I have had a really stressful day and, very very unlike myself I had 2 low alcohol glasses of a wine cooler (2.5%) and I have just realised the advice is not to drink anything when on the tablets. I am now terrified I'm in for a terrible couple of days, is there anything I can do?! I have a work course tomorrow I cannot miss 🙈 I cannot believe I did this

OP posts:
REDB99 · 04/12/2025 21:48

2.5% you will be fine. It’s an incredibly low alcohol content. Drink water and have an early night. I’m sure you’ll feel okay.

nomoreheroes · 04/12/2025 22:03

The main reason not to drink alcohol with metronidazole is, I believe, because it makes it less effective and can make you feel nauseated. You have not done any damage, I'm sure, so don't worry.

swapsicles · 04/12/2025 22:12

Not much you can do now I'm afraid.
The old advice was to not have any alcohol at all including mouthwash otherwise you will have an absolutely awful headache.
Not sure if the advice has changed but I doubt it unfortunately. Drink plenty and hope for the best!

LifeExperiencer · 04/12/2025 22:17

The general advice re not mixing antibiotics and alcohol is because the alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. Metronidazole is different in that it produces the same effects as Antabuse ( disulfiram) which is prescribed to alcohol- dependent people - which can vary from mild/ non-existent to very severe ( thus acting as a strong deterrent to drinking whilst taking it). The effect can last for a while after you finish the course of Metronidazole so I think the advice is to stay off alcohol for 2-3 days after the last dose. Sounds like you haven't had the bad reaction as the alcohol % was so low but just abstain now until a couple of days after you finish the course of Flagyl. ( Antabuse reaction can include nausea, vomiting, headaches, palpitations, flushing and skin reactions). Hope this helps.

Whyhaveibeencutoutofmamsnot · 04/12/2025 22:24

It stops the second stage of alcohol metabolism so you get a build up of acetaldehyde which makes you feel awful. Antabuse does the same thing.

justabigdisco · 04/12/2025 22:25

Not everyone has a reaction. I once forgot I was on it and had a glass of (normal) wine. I was fine

Bess91 · 04/12/2025 22:31

Some people have a really bad reaction to it, even on the smallest amount of alcohol, but I believe most people are absolutely fine.

Original poster
Nmeag · 04/12/2025 22:33

Thank you all so much, every other thread I found told horror stories of what happens so I live in hope I will survive lol.

OP posts:
Waitingfordoggo · 04/12/2025 22:39

I think the only risk is just that it can make you feel rubbish (and probably reduce the effectiveness of the treatment). I had to take it about 15 years ago and I accidentally had half a glass of wine because I was a fairly regular drinker at the time and had genuinely forgotten I wasn’t supposed to have any alcohol. I felt really shit- dodgy tummy, headache and brain fog, but it came on quickly after I started drinking the wine- in fact I got halfway through the glass and abandoned it as it made me feel so shit. So I think if you were to have any adverse effects, they’d probably be kicking in by now.

In recent years, I am almost teetotal and had to take metronidazole again last year- also for a tooth infection. I didn’t drink any alcohol but the tablets made me feel pretty rough anyway!

Hopefully you’ll feel ok. Drink plenty of water!

DuchessDandelion · 04/12/2025 22:39

I had to take them recently, the doctor told me I'd just be really ill (sick) if I mixed with alcohol. Hope you keep them down!

suki1964 · 04/12/2025 22:47

Im an alike and every time I get prescribed that from the dentist, he gives me the warning, the pharmacy give me the warning and I still go home and wash it down with a drink

Im not advocating that btw

Im just saying as someone who drinks heavily and doesnt head the warnings, Im here to tell the tale

Sometimes I do get sick, as in nausea, heart burn , runny bum, but rare

I'llBuyThatForADollar · 04/12/2025 22:52

Only 1 in 10 statistically have a reaction. I’m sure you’ll be fine

Original poster
Nmeag · 04/12/2025 22:54

Waitingfordoggo · 04/12/2025 22:39

I think the only risk is just that it can make you feel rubbish (and probably reduce the effectiveness of the treatment). I had to take it about 15 years ago and I accidentally had half a glass of wine because I was a fairly regular drinker at the time and had genuinely forgotten I wasn’t supposed to have any alcohol. I felt really shit- dodgy tummy, headache and brain fog, but it came on quickly after I started drinking the wine- in fact I got halfway through the glass and abandoned it as it made me feel so shit. So I think if you were to have any adverse effects, they’d probably be kicking in by now.

In recent years, I am almost teetotal and had to take metronidazole again last year- also for a tooth infection. I didn’t drink any alcohol but the tablets made me feel pretty rough anyway!

Hopefully you’ll feel ok. Drink plenty of water!

Thank you for taking the time to respond... I have started on the water so we shall see how things go. I was really enjoying the drink too lol, ill leave it until next week

OP posts:
ohreallyIsee · 04/12/2025 22:58

You'll just have to hope that you're not one of the people who reacts badly to the combination of alcohol and metronidazole.

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