Can I drink alcohol after taking amoxicillin?
Disease description:
This morning I felt a bit under the weather and took some amoxicillin. I would like to ask the doctor if it's okay to drink alcohol at lunch after taking amoxicillin.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
It is not recommended to consume alcohol after taking amoxicillin. Although alcohol does not directly react chemically with amoxicillin in a harmful way, drinking may affect the absorption and metabolism of the medication, reducing its effectiveness and prolonging recovery time from illness.
Although amoxicillin-related disulfiram-like reactions are not as common as with cephalosporin antibiotics, interactions between alcohol and amoxicillin can still lead to the accumulation of acetaldehyde in the body, potentially causing symptoms such as facial flushing, conjunctival congestion, dizziness, and nausea. Moreover, both alcohol and amoxicillin may act as allergens, and taking them together could trigger allergic reactions such as skin itching, redness, and difficulty breathing. Alcohol consumption may also increase the burden on the liver, as both amoxicillin and alcohol are metabolized in the liver, and simultaneous intake could worsen liver function. In addition, both amoxicillin and alcohol can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, increasing the risk of gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Therefore, when taking amoxicillin or any other medication, it is important to follow medical advice and strictly avoid alcohol consumption.
