While alcohol use should still be avoided with certain antimicrobials, use with select others appears to be acceptable. Use of alcohol with griseofulvin should be avoided due to risk of a disulfiram-like reaction, which may be severe. Griseofulvin is an oral antifungal approved for the treatment of various ringworm infections due to Microsporum, Epidermophyton, and Trichophyton (93). Data are limited regarding the adverse effects of concomitant use of FQs and alcohol. One case report documents a 46-year-old male who developed erythema multiforme while receiving ciprofloxacin after consuming alcohol (25). The reaction resolved with continued ciprofloxacin use and abstention from alcohol.
Studies have shown positive pressor responses in comparison with placebo with tyramine administration (81, 82). One patient developed heart block after taking linezolid and 7 mg of tyramine (81, 82). Per prescribing information, large quantities of beverages with a high tyramine content, including red wine and tap beers, should be avoided and limited to less than 100 mg of tyramine daily (83). Given linezolid’s weaker affinity and reversible MAO enzyme inhibition relative to that of other MAO inhibitors (MAOIs), other authors have investigated the need for a tyramine-restricted diet (81, 84). The pressor responses to an oral tyramine challenge were compared in subjects receiving linezolid or placebo (81). The smallest dose of tyramine resulting in a systolic blood pressure (SBP) increase of at least 30 mm Hg was 100 mg in the linezolid arm (81).
Symptoms include headache, palpitations, sweating, flushing, and hypotension (109, 110). It has also been postulated that such a reaction may be due to isoniazid’s inhibition of monoamine oxidase, as symptoms have been reported after consumption of wine (109). Isoniazid was found to alter central monoaminergic neurotransmission (111). Although aldehyde dehydrogenase was inhibited with coadministration, blood acetaldehyde levels were not increased.
You should also avoid the use of alcohol while being treated with linezolid due to increased risk of CNS side effects. Stomach problems, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain can be common with antibiotics, too. It’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before you mix alcohol with an antibiotic as this might be dangerous for your liver or cause other reactions. When levoFLOXacin as the oral solution is given with enteral (tube) feedings, levoFLOXacin may not work as well.
In addition, it can affect the function of the liver which is a common site for drugs to be broken down. Alcohol can have numerous effects on the human body and can ultimately cause heart disease, liver disease and even be fatal if consumed in large quantities over prolonged periods of time. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of levofloxacin in children. However, because of this medicine’s toxicity, it should be used with caution, after other alternatives have been considered or found ineffective. Levofloxacin may be used in children 6 months of age and older to prevent anthrax infection after possible exposure, and to treat plague infection.
In rare cases, people may experience seizures with fluoroquinolone treatment. What if you have an important event — like a bachelorette party or high school reunion — where you may want to have a drink? In most cases, Dr. Clayton says you should get nonalcoholic beverages instead (mocktails, anyone?), as you shouldn’t put off starting your antibiotic. Alcohol is contraindicated per the package labeling due to a speculative, but not established, increased risk of seizures (122).
Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Levofloxacin belongs to the class of medicines known as quinolone antibiotics. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.
Below is a list of the 10 most common antibiotics and their interactions with alcohol. While some may not have any serious interactions can police dogs smell nicotine vapes with alcohol, that doesn’t mean that they’re productive for healing. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before engaging in drinking behaviors while taking these prescriptions.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take. Similar to supplements, Levaquin has the potential to negatively interact with a number of different medications. This can include some over the counter medications such as ibuprofen. However, similar to products containing certain nutrients like calcium, you should avoid consuming excessive amounts of caffeine when taking Levaquin.
Thus, it’s generally advised to avoid alcohol while on this antibiotic. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. The Mayo Clinic states that using alcohol or tobacco with Levaquin may cause interactions to occur 35. They suggest that you talk to your healthcare provider before taking Levaquin and drinking or using tobacco products. Medicines that interact with levofloxacin may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with levofloxacin.
Combination with alcohol may increase risk for additive sedation, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and trouble concentrating. If your or your child’s symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor. If you need to take this medicine for anthrax infection or plague, your doctor will want you to begin taking it as soon as possible after you are exposed to anthrax or bacteria causing the plague. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Jenna Fletcher has enjoyed writing and reading anything she can get her hands on for a very long time. While attending Muhlenberg College for her Bachelor of the Arts, she was selected to present several academic papers in national conferences.