Alcohol and Amoxicillin

While there is not necessarily a problem with combining alcohol and amoxicillin, people who are using this antibiotic because they are sick may want to avoid alcohol until they feel better. If you decide to drink alcohol, it is probably a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider about how much you can consume while taking this antibiotic.

Can I Combine Alcohol and Amoxicillin?

There is a widespread myth that alcohol interacts with all antibiotics, including amoxicillin (Amoxil®, Moxatag™). However, this is simply not the case. While there may be other reasons to avoid alcohol while you are sick, there are no known drug interactions between alcohol and amoxicillin. There is also the belief that alcohol will make amoxicillin less effective. This is also not the case.
 

Other Reasons to Avoid Combining Amoxicillin With Alcohol

If you have an infection that is serious enough to require treatment with an antibiotic, it is probably unwise to drink alcohol. Get plenty of rest and fluids, focus on getting better, and save the alcohol for another time.
 
In some cases, there may be no need to avoid alcohol while on amoxicillin; however, you should talk with your healthcare provider. You and your healthcare provider understand your situation best. Based on what you want and expect, as well as your current health situation, the two of you can make a shared decision about your intake of alcohol while on amoxicillin. There may be other medical reasons why you should not consume alcohol during this time.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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