Can I drink alcohol at night if I took cephalosporin at noon?

Generally speaking, you should not drink alcohol at night if you took cephalosporin antibiotics at noon. The detailed explanation is as follows:

Cephalosporin antibiotics can inhibit the metabolism of alcohol in the body, leading to acetaldehyde accumulation and triggering a disulfiram-like reaction. This reaction may occur within 5 minutes to 1 hour after alcohol exposure, manifesting as facial flushing, headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, it may cause life-threatening symptoms such as difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and arrhythmia. Cephalosporins taken at noon are typically not fully metabolized by evening, so drinking alcohol at that time still carries a high risk—simply having a long interval does not guarantee safety.

During treatment with cephalosporins and for 7 days after stopping the medication, alcohol consumption must be strictly avoided. Also avoid foods and medicines containing alcohol, such as liqueur chocolates and Huoxiang Zhengqi Water. Drink plenty of warm water during treatment to promote the excretion of the drug and metabolic waste. Maintain a light diet and avoid spicy or irritating foods that could加重 gastrointestinal burden. If accidental alcohol exposure occurs and discomfort develops, seek immediate medical attention and inform healthcare providers about your medication use—do not delay—to ensure safe medication use.