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You should not be mixing Metronidazole and alcohol, and doing so can cause unpleasant and sometimes severe reactions.
Unlike most antibiotics (which can sometimes be safe to take with alcohol), metronidazole is different. You should know what happens if you drink alcohol whilst taking metronidazole, why bad side effects occur and what to do if you have drunk whilst on this medication.
What Is Metronidazole?
Metronidazole is an antibiotic that the NHS commonly prescribes. It is used to treat bacterial and parasitic infections.
Examples of medical issues it is used to treat include:
- Dental infections
- Gut infections
- Skin conditions
- Bacterial vaginosis
It can also be used to treat bites, sores and wounds that have become infected.
Mixing Metronidazole and Alcohol
Mixing the two substances can trigger a disulfiram-like reaction (DLR). Disulfiram is a medication that is given to people with alcohol dependence, causing those who take it to have an acute sensitivity to ethanol.
This reaction occurs because alcohol stops being broken down properly. As a result, the toxic byproducts of alcohol build up, triggering uncomfortable and multiple side effects.
Uncomfortable side effects may be what you are after when taking disulfiram, but alcohol will only lessen the effects of metronidazole. This can lead to the condition it treats returning, as well as cause adverse reactions.
What Happens If You Drink Alcohol on Metronidazole?
When alcohol and metronidazole are mixed, it can lead to symptoms such as:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Flushing (red skin)
- Headaches
- Rapid heart rate
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Stomach pain
Symptoms usually occur quickly after mixing the substances, as quickly as within 10 minutes of drinking. The symptoms you experience and the severity of them can vary; there’s no knowing how badly or mildly you react, and they can persist for hours.
How Long After Taking Metronidazole Can You Drink?
You should do a complete alcohol detox whilst you are taking metronidazole, which means not drinking at all. After you finish your course of medication, you should wait at least 48 hours (two days) before you have an alcoholic drink.
It is right to wait this long because the drug stays in your system, and this amount of time is roughly needed for your body to clear it out. The waiting period can depend on many factors, so if you are concerned about adverse side effects, wait 3 days to be on the safe side.
Why This Reaction Happens
Your body breaks down alcohol in two stages.
- Alcohol is broken down into acetaldehyde in the liver, the toxic compound that causes alcohol side effects.
- After that, acetaldehyde is reduced to acetate, which then becomes carbon dioxide and is breathed out.
Metronidazole interferes with this breakdown in the liver, which can lead to a buildup of acetaldehyde, which brings on the physical symptoms.
What to Do If You’ve Mixed Metronidazole and Alcohol
Mixing antibiotics and alcohol is usually quite safe, so you may not be aware of the risks with metronidazole. That may mean you accidentally drink whilst on the medication and then realise that it can be bad for you.
There’s no need to panic. Mild symptoms are likely to occur and may pass over time. If, however, you begin to experience more severe symptoms, then you should seek out medical help.
If you have mild symptoms that then worsen, you should also seek advice and get professional medical help on the next steps. Regardless of how you are feeling or how much you have drunk, if you experience breathing or heart issues, contact a medical professional immediately.
The harm comes with not acting, so to be on the safe side, you should reach out to someone and ensure you are always reading the label of the medication you are taking to be aware of potential harmful interactions.
Alcohol and Medication Risks
Even if you drink casually, you should be aware of the risks of mixing alcohol and prescribed medications, as alcohol can interact with other substances.
In many cases, people underestimate these risks. At the very least, alcohol can stop medications from working properly, making your taking them pointless. Interactions can also be serious, causing unintended side effects or making medication side effects more likely to occur.
Having a drink whilst on medication such as painkillers may leave you sleepier or slow your reactions, making activities such as driving incredibly dangerous. The medication can also make you more susceptible to the effects of alcohol, getting you drunk quicker and leading to an increased risk of being ill or having an accident.
If you drink more heavily and regularly, these risks increase and could point towards a more problematic relationship with alcohol.
When Alcohol Use Becomes a Concern
If you are experiencing a metronidazole and alcohol reaction and continue to drink, this indicates a deeper issue.
Drinking, despite the health risks, is a clear sign that you have a problem with alcohol. Other signs that alcohol use may be a cause for concern include:
- Difficulty avoiding alcohol
- Regularly drinking more than you mean to
- Craving alcohol
- Needing increasing amounts of alcohol to achieve the same effects as before
Unfortunately, alcoholism won’t get better without making changes, and problems can only build up. If it is serious enough, you may require professional help. You should consider alcohol rehab to get access to a structured treatment programme that can help you overcome your addiction and be safe.
Learn More About Metronidazole Side Effects When Drinking Alcohol
Metronidazole and alcohol should not be mixed as the reactions can be unpleasant and serious. If you wish to drink alcohol, you should wait until you finish your course of metronidazole and the drug is completely out of your system.
If you are unsure, speak to a healthcare professional, who can offer guidance. For more information about alcohol addiction treatment and your next steps, contact Rehab Clinics Group today for confidential and expert support.
