Can you drink red wine while taking cephalosporin?
Nov 24, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
In general, you should not drink red wine while taking cephalosporin antibiotics. During treatment with cephalosporins and for 7 days after stopping the medication, it is important to avoid not only red wine but also other alcoholic beverages such as white liquor, beer, and any foods or medications containing alcohol, including liqueur-filled chocolates and Huoxiang Zhengqi Water. It is recommended to maintain a light diet and drink plenty of warm water to promote metabolism. If alcohol is accidentally consumed and discomfort occurs, seek medical attention promptly.
Generally speaking, you should not drink red wine while taking cephalosporin antibiotics. The detailed explanation is as follows:
Cephalosporin drugs inhibit the activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase in the liver. Alcohol from red wine is metabolized in the body first into acetaldehyde, which then relies on this enzyme to be further broken down into harmless substances. When the enzyme's activity is suppressed, acetaldehyde cannot be properly metabolized and accumulates in the body, triggering a disulfiram-like reaction. Mild symptoms include facial flushing, headache, nausea, palpitations, and chest tightness; severe cases may involve difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, or even shock that can endanger life.
During treatment with cephalosporins and for 7 days after stopping the medication, it's essential to avoid not only red wine but also other alcoholic beverages such as white spirits and beer, as well as any food or medicine containing alcohol, including liqueur chocolates and Huoxiang Zhengqi Water. Maintain a light diet and drink plenty of warm water to promote metabolism. If alcohol exposure occurs accidentally and discomfort develops, stop taking the medication immediately and seek medical attention promptly. Always inform your doctor about your allergy history before starting medication, follow medical instructions carefully, and never adjust the dosage on your own.
