Alcohol interferes with some antibiotics in different ways, which may alter the effectiveness or side effects. There are several antibiotics that people should not mix alcohol with. Not only can they interfere with the way the antibiotics work, but they can also cause a number of harmful side effects. Scientists have linked heavy and binge drinking with an impaired immune system. People with an impaired immune system have a higher risk of infection. In rare cases, people may experience seizures with fluoroquinolone treatment.
Other Interactions
Levaquin may interact with supplements, such as multivitamins, that you may be taking. It is always a good idea to tell your doctor about any supplements you are taking prior to starting a new medication like Levaquin. Alcohol appears to lead to slowed “gastric emptying” when combined with erythromycin ethylsuccinate.
Tyramine is a substance present in tap beers and red wine, among other products. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. If you have low blood potassium or an abnormally slow heartbeat, levofloxacin may increase your risk of having a fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness, or fainting spells. Levofloxacin may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer.
They suggest that you talk to your healthcare provider before taking Levaquin and drinking or using tobacco products. If you need to avoid alcohol, be sure you check all of your food and medicine labels to be sure they don’t contain alcohol. It is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you use, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbs.
Levaquin and Caffeine
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. Though there is not much clinical information available, there is some anecdotal evidence that suggests that Levaquin and how to ween off alcohol alcohol should not be taken together. One of the potential issues with taking Levaquin and alcohol is that some of the side effects of alcohol may increase. You may feel more lightheaded, dizzy or have worsened impaired judgement.
Follow Mayo Clinic
Rarely, more severe reactions may include abnormal heart rhythm, heart attack, heart failure, unconsciousness, convulsions, and even death. Excessive alcohol use is well-known to cause liver damage like cirrhosis. Taking antibiotics that can also damage the liver may worsen these types of problems. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use levofloxacin only for the indication prescribed. The CDC describes binge drinking as consuming four drinks for women and five drinks for men on a single occasion.
They should also avoid other foods that contain tyramine, such as strong cheeses and smoked meats. This section considers the recommendations and possible side effects of consuming alcohol with different antibiotics. Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements. Levofloxacin may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally.
Levofloxacin may cause serious liver problems, including hepatitis. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child start having nausea or vomiting, dark urine, light-colored stools, stomach pain, or yellow eyes or skin while using this medicine. Levofloxacin belongs to the class of medicines known as quinolone antibiotics. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections. There is no clinical evidence about Levaquin interacting with eating or drinking dairy products.
When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. These include metronidazole (Flagyl), tinidazole (Tindamax) and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra). Drinking alcohol with these medicines can cause side effects such as flushing, headache, nausea and vomiting, and fast heart rate.
However, while alcohol appears to slow the rate of penicillin absorption it does not prevent how much of the drug is ultimately absorbed. Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole antibiotic that doctors prescribe to treat abdominal infections, sexually transmitted infections, and other anaerobic bacteria-related infections. Since alcohol lowers the seizure threshold, doctors advise people with a history of seizures to avoid mixing alcohol and fluoroquinolones. Mixing alcohol with fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin may increase these mental health side effects.
- Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
- This can occur while you are taking the medicine or after you finish using it.
- The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
- Flouroquinolones have shown evidence of increasing the effects of caffeine and make it linger longer in the blood stream.
Adderall and Calcium
Check the inactive ingredient listing on the OTC “Drug Facts” label to determine if alcohol (also called ethanol) is present in the product, or you can always ask your doctor or pharmacist. If you need to avoid alcohol, check all of your food and medicine labels to be sure they don’t contain alcohol. There are plenty of beverages that you can enjoy while taking antibiotics without worrying about how they might interact with your treatment. Always seek medical attention if you experience symptoms that feel out of the ordinary or are concerning.
This may delay the absorption of the antibiotic into the bloodstream and lower the antibiotic effect. Inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) by the antibiotic may result in an increased concentration of acetaldehyde leading to an unpleasant response.
Alcohol may also increase some of the central nervous system (CNS) side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. By Lauren Panoff, MPH, RDPanoff is a registered dietician, writer, and speaker with over a decade of experience specializing in the health benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child start having numbness, tingling, or burning pain in the hands, arms, legs, or feet. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for what does being roofied feel like a longer time than your doctor ordered.
In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published updated safety warnings on all fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are using this medicine. If you have a severe reaction from the sun, check with your doctor. If your or your child’s symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they ideas for substance abuse groups become worse, check with your doctor. Jenna Fletcher has enjoyed writing and reading anything she can get her hands on for a very long time.
