Skip to content

Medicine safety

Can I drink alcohol while taking amoxicillin?

Yes, a moderate amount of alcohol does not stop amoxicillin from working, though it is sensible to limit drinking while you are unwell with an infection.

Ces informations sont fournies à titre indicatif uniquement et ne constituent pas un avis médical. Consultez toujours un professionnel de santé qualifié pour toute préoccupation médicale personnelle. En cas d'urgence, appelez votre numéro d'urgence local.

Amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic, and unlike a few specific antibiotics, it does not have a dangerous interaction with alcohol. Moderate drinking will not make amoxicillin ineffective. The common belief that all antibiotics cannot be mixed with any alcohol is largely a myth that applies mainly to certain drugs such as metronidazole.

That said, alcohol can worsen side effects like nausea, stomach upset, dizziness, and tiredness, and your body recovers better from infection when well rested and hydrated. Heavy drinking is best avoided while you are ill regardless of the antibiotic.

Finish the full course as prescribed even if you feel better. Contact a doctor if your symptoms worsen, you develop a rash, swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing, which could signal an allergic reaction and needs urgent attention.

Related to this question

More health answers

See a doctor online now