Antibiotics & alcohol!

[tigwig]

I have been prescribed Klaricid (Clarithromycin) today for a chest infection and the GP never said anything about avoiding alcohol. I was too embarrassed to ask him in case he thought I was an alcoholic lol. So will it stop the medicine working if I have a few glasses of wine or is it just a myth?

[Canary42]

.... but you don't mind all of us thinking you're an alcoholic :-)

[tigwig]

No of course not, you dont know me! Ha I'm not really, just like a few glasses of wine, starting on a Thurs, then throughout the weekend. I've just googled it actually, thought I'd better before I pour myself a glass. There was some random stuff about where people said you shouldnt but the NHS site didnt list it as one that would cause any problem so I will go ahead and take the chance!

[ubasses]

see below


Alcohol

Alcohol can interact with certain medicines.

In the case of Klaricid:

*
there are no known interactions between alcohol and Klaricid

http://www.medicines....cterial%20infections/

[Euphemia]

Cheers and wishing you a speedy recovery!

[pretty_snowdrop]

It's just a myth. You shouldn't drink alcohol while on antibiotics simply because you are not well. Check the leaflet and if it doesn't mention anything you will be fine. It's all just a old wives tale. Enjoy your drink.

[karenmac60]

Apparently the myth sprang up because antibiotics were initially used most often to clear up STDs. Doctors told patients not to drink while on them so that they wouldn't go out, get drunk and infect someone else - and the myth stuck. Enjoy your wine :)

[Sqad]

I agree that is is a myth, except for the following 2 antibiotics.

1) Flagyl
2) Griseofulvin

Both are mainly used as ant-fungals drugs.

[woofgang]

Flagyl aka metronizadole

[tigwig]

Oh goody I can have my usual wine filled weekend hoorah!

[Dee Sa]

if you cannot drink whilst taking a medicine it is clearly written on the label the pharmacy put on your prescription as a warning.
Have one for me !

[trt]

I agree with some of the above tigwig, enjoy your tipple.

By the way what infection did you get in your chest as mines been a bit dodgy the past week?