{"id":635742,"date":"2026-04-03T09:30:43","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T13:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=635742"},"modified":"2026-03-25T12:57:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T16:57:38","slug":"bactrim-and-alcohol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/bactrim-and-alcohol\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you drink alcohol while taking Bactrim?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bactrim<\/span><\/a> is a brand-name antibiotic containing two different ingredients, <\/span>sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim<\/span><\/a>. It\u2019s commonly prescribed to treat bacterial infections such as ear infections, bronchitis, certain types of pneumonia, traveler\u2019s diarrhea, and <\/span>urinary tract infections<\/span><\/a> (UTI). While Bactrim and alcohol do not have a well-established interaction, it\u2019s generally best to avoid drinking alcohol until you feel better. Here\u2019s what you should know to make informed decisions about that glass of wine when taking antibiotics.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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

Many healthcare providers recommend avoiding alcohol during antibiotic use because it may worsen side effects and prolong recovery. However, in general, a small amount of alcohol (for example, 1 to 2 drinks) doesn\u2019t cause <\/span>serious side effects<\/span><\/a> for the majority of people on antibiotic treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

While you could probably get away with one drink if you\u2019re an otherwise healthy adult, <\/span>Joanna Lewis<\/span><\/a>, Pharm.D., founder of The Pharmacist\u2019s Guide, says skipping alcohol to support your recovery, energy, sleep, and overall health is the better choice. What\u2019s more, Bactrim commonly causes side effects like stomach upset, which alcohol could worsen.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

What happens if you mix Bactrim and alcohol?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Mixing Bactrim with alcohol doesn\u2019t <\/span>always <\/span><\/i>lead to negative consequences, but there are possible adverse effects and complications that might make you think twice about that cocktail (even if you\u2019ve combined alcohol with other antibiotics in the past), says <\/span>Shasawat Kumar<\/span><\/a>, MD, internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan.<\/span><\/p>\n

Risk of serious side effects<\/span><\/h3>\n

When you mix certain antibiotics with alcohol, you can create something called a disulfiram-like reaction. <\/span>Disulfiram (brand name Antabuse)<\/span><\/a> is a medication used to treat alcohol use disorder, designed to deter a person from using alcohol by making them feel incredibly sick if they drink while taking it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, other medications can cause a disulfiram-like reaction when combined with alcohol, most notably, <\/span>metronidazole<\/span><\/a>. This reaction is not associated with oral Bactrim and is not expected to occur when Bactrim and alcohol are combined. Some injectable forms of Bactrim may contain small amounts of alcohol, which could interact with the drug disulfiram.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Risk of acute liver injury<\/span><\/h3>\n

Bactrim is partly metabolized by your liver, and <\/span>can increase your risk of liver-related complications<\/span><\/a>. Although Dr. Kumar says acute liver injury from taking Bactrim is uncommon and usually mild, it can still happen, causing a slight elevation in liver enzymes, cholestatic <\/span>jaundice<\/span><\/a>, and\u2014rarely\u2014hepatitis or liver failure.<\/span><\/p>\n

But when you combine Bactrim with alcohol intake (which is <\/span>also <\/span><\/i>metabolized by your liver), it may put you at increased risk of liver damage. \u201cBecause Bactrim is partly metabolized by the liver, regular or heavy drinking can put a lot of stress on the body [when you\u2019re taking it],\u201d says Dr. Lewis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are certain people at greater risk of side effects?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Some people are at a higher risk of side effects if they combine Bactrim with alcohol, such as people with a history of liver disease. Per Dr. Kumar, other people at high risk include:<\/span><\/p>\n