Drinking on Anti-biotics

[Alixw]

My boyfriend is on anti-biotics and on saturday its his brother's 21st birthday party. Obviously, he would like to drink, as everyone is going to be drinking and it won't be as much fun if he doesn't. The nurse who gave him the tablets said he would be able to drink while taking them, but a moderate amount. But my boyfriend's idea of moderate is about 10 pints! What do you all think is a safe amount that he should drink?

[milly143]

I've always been told never to drink when on anti-biotics. It can effect how they work and make you poorly.

[Loosehead]

You can drink as much as you want the booze will stop them working but there are no effects, beyond what is normal when you drink. Just miss a couple of days tablets and start again. Not recomended by the doctors of course, but what is?

[nemi]

 it is only necessary to avoid drinking alcohol when taking some types of antibiotics, despite the common belief. If your boyfriend is taking either Metronidazole or Cephamandole he should not consume any alcohol.

[Alixw]

That's what I thought nemi. He isn't taking either of those anti-biotics, so it should be ok?

Still not sure what you would call a moderate amount of alcohol though for one night?!

[KittyGlitter]

It's difficult to answer, as alcohol affects everyone differently. Once you know what sort of anti-biotics they are, you could ring a doctor and ask just to be sure.

[morg_monster]

Loosehead is right. The reason doctors tell you not to drink while on antibiotics (apart from those nemi mentioned) is just that they won't work, which means it'll take longer for you to get better. You are not in any direct danger from this, the only side effects will be due to drink or due to the fact you've still got whatever infection you had before.

They don't interact to produce other side effects (again, apart from those mentioned by Nemi)

[ursula62]

Some antibiotics can affect liver and kidney function. This is the main reason why you are advised not to drink alcohol while taking them. Yes, alcohol reduces the effectiveness of the antibiotic, but it also increases the toxic side effects of the antibiotic on the liver and kidneys.

[morg_monster]

If he is on the antibiotics long term (ie for a month or more), or he's been asked to come back for a liver function test, then he should be more careful i agree ursula.

BUT if this was the case here the nurse would have really stressed no alcohol at all. Since the nurse said it was ok to drink a moderate amount, then there'll be nothing wrong with drinking. I would take moderate to mean have enough to get merry and have a good time but don't go OTT so he's sick or really ill the next day. but that's just good sense. if he does get sick from the alcohol.. just don't take any more antibiotics till he's stopped or its just a waste!
the nurse will have erred on the side of caution. she can't exactly tell him to go and drink himself paralytic can she!

[Alixw]

Thanks everyone! I'll pass all the info on!!

[AllYourBase]

Loosehead, your normally high quality answers have deserted you. Your advice here is both casual and dangerous. Nemi has provided the correct advice regarding certain specific drugs, which really must NOT be mixed with alcohol. For all others, a moderate consumtion of alcohol, relative to the consumers usual consumption is fine.

As antibiotics upset the gut bacteria of the taker you can expect a hangover to be worse, most specifically the stomach symptoms (think of the yakult advert with the "bacteria" guy - all these friendly bacteria are wiped out by antibiotics, which is why they often make you feel a bit nauseous at first)

Always take your antibiotics regularly and complete the course. Never do what loosehead suggested and stop and start, as this fosters resistance to drugs and is exactly what led to the evolution of MRSA superbugs.