Amoxicillin: An overview
Amoxicillin is a semi-synthetic beta-lactam antibiotic, that belongs to the penicillin family and the prescription drugs family. Amoxicillin treatment is used for a variety of infections, however not against viral infections, but solely against bacterial infections. Some common bacterial infections treated with amoxicillin are skin infections, otitis media, bacterial sinusitis, bacterial exacerbations or bronchitis, acute lower urinary tract infections, gonorrhea or even typhoid.
While amoxicillin is beneficial for many bacterial infections, some potential side effects one can experience are diarrhea, stomach pain and headache. Although these are quite common side effects among many medications, amoxicillin can impact your immune system and central nervous system as well and the patient may experience allergic reactions and seizures [1, 2].
Can I Drink Alcoholic Drinks While Taking Amoxicillin?
Generally, it is not recommended to use alcoholic beverages while on antibiotics.
However, while moderate alcohol use while taking Amoxicillin should be safe, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to severe reactions to the drug and may worsen your health condition. In case of suffering from alcohol use disorder, drinking problems or have a history of liver damage, make sure to consult this with your healthcare provider.
In addition, mixing alcohol and Antibiotics!antibiotics can lead to severe side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness and stomach ache.
Combining alcohol and antibiotics can increase the chance of developing side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, and upset stomach. Alcohol can also affect your body's ability to fight infection [3, 4].
What Will Happen If I Take Alcohol While Taking Amoxicillin?
Mixing Amoxicillin with alcohol does not significantly affect the absorption or elimination of the antibiotic. However, alcohol can slow the rate at which Amoxicillin is absorbed. Alcohol can weaken your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off infections. It can also increase your risk of certain side effects from Amoxicillin, such as dizziness and upset stomach [5].
Interactions of Amoxicillin
Apart from amoxicillin interaction with alcohol, there or other drug interactions that may cause similar side effects as combining amoxicillin with alcohol:
- Chloramphenicol - When combined with amoxicillin, it results in increased antibacterial activity [6].
- Ciprofloxacin - The interaction between ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin against Staphylococcus aureus varies, with some ratios showing a synergistic antimicrobial interaction and others showing an additive antibacterial effect [7].
- Gentamicin and Clavulanic Acid - The combination of amoxicillin and gentamicin shows a synergistic effect when clavulanic acid is added [8].
- Carbocysteine - When amoxicillin is combined with carbocysteine, we observe higher antibiotic levels in bronchial mucus [9].
- Metronidazole - Synergism is found between amoxicillin and metronidazole [10].
- Clavulanic Acid - Amoxicillin in combination with clavulanic acid is bactericidal for most of the tested isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis [11].
- Flucloxacillin - A 1:1 combination of amoxicillin and flucloxacillin shows a synergic effect on beta-lactamase producing bacteria [12].
- Chlorpromazine (CPZ) - An increase in the level of amoxicillin in serum and tissues is observed when amoxicillin is administered with CPZ [13].
- Potassium Clavulanate - The combination of amoxicillin and potassium clavulanate is effective against several bacteria [14].
- Thiol-Containing Compounds - Thiol-containing compounds influence the extent of amoxicillin-protein adducts formation [15].