Can I take cephalosporin 12 hours after drinking alcohol?

Generally, you should not take cephalosporin antibiotics within 12 hours after drinking alcohol. The detailed explanation is as follows:

After 12 hours of drinking, alcohol may still remain in the body. Taking cephalosporins at this time can trigger a disulfiram-like reaction. When alcohol is metabolized in the body, it is first converted into acetaldehyde, which must then be further broken down into harmless substances by aldehyde dehydrogenase before being excreted. Cephalosporin antibiotics can inhibit the activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase, preventing acetaldehyde from being properly metabolized and causing it to accumulate in the body. This buildup may lead to symptoms such as facial flushing, headache, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, chest tightness, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, confusion, or even life-threatening conditions. Twelve hours is generally insufficient for complete elimination of alcohol from the body, and any remaining alcohol can still interact with cephalosporins; therefore, taking these antibiotics is not safe.

In daily life, it's important to avoid alcohol—including alcoholic beverages, foods containing alcohol, and alcohol-containing medications—for at least 7 days before starting cephalosporin treatment and for 7 days after stopping the medication. If you have consumed alcohol and need to take cephalosporins, inform your doctor immediately and never self-medicate. If you experience any adverse reactions after taking the medication, seek medical attention promptly to avoid delays in treatment.