Skip to main content

Can you drink alcohol with amoxicillin?

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on April 15, 2024.

E.g. beer or wine

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Yes, you can drink alcohol while taking the antibiotic amoxicillin. The alcohol will not stop amoxicillin from working. Moderation is key.

However, many health professionals will recommend you avoid alcohol to give your body the best chance possible to fight the infection.

Drinking alcohol can lead to dehydration, interrupt normal sleep, and may hinder the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

There are certain antibiotics where alcohol must be avoided such as metronidazole, tinidazole and Bactrim because the combination may result in a severe reaction. Drinking any amount of alcohol with these medications can result in side effects such as flushing, headache, nausea and vomiting, and rapid heart rate.

There are no such side effects issues when alcohol is taken with amoxicillin.

For a list of the most significant antibiotics that interact with alcohol see the table here:
https://www.drugs.com/article/antibiotics-and-alcohol.html

Or look up your antibiotic in the interactions checker here:
https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html

Read next

What are the best antibiotics for a tooth infection?

There are several antibiotics that kill the common mouth bacteria that cause tooth infections. The best (first-line) antibiotics for tooth infection include: Amoxicillin, Penicillin, Cephalexin, Clindamycin, Azithromycin. Amoxicillin is often the first choice because it is widely effective and has the fewest gastrointestinal side effects. Continue reading

Does amoxicillin expire? Is it safe to take after expiration?

Amoxicillin capsules and tablets have an expiry of around 2 years and, provided they are stored as recommended and in the original packaging, there will be a small lee way of safety if used beyond expiry. Amoxicillin suspension is different and has a very short shelf life of about 7-10 days once it is prepared. Continue reading

Amoxicillin rash: When should I be concerned?

From 5% to 10% of children will develop a rash from amoxicillin after taking it, which in most cases, is considered a side effect of amoxicillin and not an allergic rash. But in a small number of cases, the rash will be a sign of an allergic reaction which means the amoxicillin will need to be stopped right away. Continue reading

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups