{"id":54354,"date":"2022-10-07T09:30:35","date_gmt":"2022-10-07T13:30:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=54354"},"modified":"2022-11-11T13:37:35","modified_gmt":"2022-11-11T18:37:35","slug":"metronidazole-and-alcohol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/metronidazole-and-alcohol\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you drink while taking metronidazole?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A healthcare provider will prescribe <\/span>metronidazole<\/span><\/a> if you have a particular bacterial or parasitic infection. When you pick up your prescription from the pharmacy, your pharmacist may ask if you have any questions about metronidazole, especially if it\u2019s your first time taking it. They may also recommend you hold off on drinking alcohol during your course of metronidazole treatment. Otherwise, a metronidazole and alcohol interaction could arise, causing unpleasant or dangerous side effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While healthcare providers typically recommend avoiding alcohol with metronidazole, the scientific literature you might find on the topic is mixed. For example, studies show that not everyone<\/a> experiences an interaction between alcohol and metronidazole. Still, it\u2019s best to stay cautious, and you\u2019ll probably want to avoid alcohol while recovering from an infection anyway<\/p>\n

What is metronidazole?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Metronidazole<\/span><\/a> is a commonly prescribed antimicrobial drug used to treat a variety of parasitic and bacterial infections, including gastrointestinal, respiratory tract, <\/span>bacterial vaginosis<\/span><\/a>, and liver infections. Metronidazole is the generic version of the brand-name drug <\/span>Flagyl<\/span><\/a>, and it belongs to a class of antimicrobial drugs called nitroimidazoles. Metronidazole has a unique mechanism of action that allows it to be an effective drug against anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that live in conditions with little or no oxygen) and protozoan parasites (microscopic organisms).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n


\nMetronidazole is often administered as an oral capsule or tablet. It is also available in topical, vaginal, and intravenous (IV) forms. Depending on the infection, metronidazole is <\/span><\/a>usually taken up to three times daily<\/span><\/a> for several days.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>RELATED: <\/b>How much is metronidazole without insurance?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Can you drink alcohol while taking metronidazole?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Drinking any beverages or products containing alcohol, including propylene glycol, is not recommended while taking metronidazole. Drinking alcohol with metronidazole can lead to adverse effects ranging in severity from mild to serious. It is also important to be aware of the possible ethanol or alcohol content of over-the-counter (OTC) medications or other prescription drugs you may be taking. Medications that contain alcohol may include elixirs, tonics, and cough or cold syrups.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples of prescription drugs that contain alcohol<\/span><\/p>\n