Ok, I know I've only lurked for ages, but have been reading the "awkward questions" thread and have the following to impart re 'The Antibiotics Excuse'!
When I was in early pg with DS, I was lying about not drinking due to antibiotics and a smartarse colleague whose father was a GP announced very loudly that it was a myth. Prick. Anyway, if I had known the below, I could've stood up for myself and hidden my pg for another month!
So ladies - cite antibiotics as the reason for not boozing, and if anyone disputes it, just say "Yes, that is true of penicillin based ABs, but the ones I'm on are the other sort and I am def not allowed to drink."
"Mrs PennyApple Pharmacist here. Re Antibiotics and alcohol, the answer is that it depends on the antibiotic
Metronidazole (Flagyl) and tinidazole are metabolised by the liver and, in some people, block the metabolism of alcohol so it "backs up" and a very, very small amount gives you such a hangover you want to die so you certainly avoid alcohol with them.
Penicillins are excreted in urine via the kidneys, alcohol is a diuretic so flushes more water from the bloodstream into the bladder, taking the antibiotic with it so lowering the blood levels and making it less effective. With those you can drink in moderation but a lot will reduce the efficacy so that is probably why medics tended to advise against it as they knew drinking in moderation was unlikely!"
:)