You might be unsure whether it’s ok to go to happy hour for a few drinks if you’re taking the antibiotic doxycycline.

It can be dangerous to consume alcohol while taking some antibiotics. Since alcohol can prevent doxycycline from working properly, it is best to avoid drinking it while taking it.

Continue reading to learn more about doxycycline and why it is best to refrain from or consume alcohol in moderation while taking this antibiotic.

What is Doxycycline?

An antibiotic called doxycycline is used to treat a number of bacterial infections, including skin and respiratory infections. Additionally, malaria, a parasite-based illness spread by mosquitoes, is prevented with it.

Antibiotics come in a variety of forms, or classes. Tetracyclines, of which doxycycline is a member, prevent bacteria from producing proteins. Bacteria can’t develop and flourish as a result of this.

Doxycycline among the antibiotics that can occasionally interact negatively with alcohol is.

Can I Drink Alcohol?

People who have a history of heavy or chronic alcohol use should avoid taking doxycycline while drinking.

This condition is defined as having more than four drinks per day for men and more than three drinks per day for women, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

In people who already have liver issues, doxycycline can interact with alcohol.

In these two populations, consuming alcohol while taking doxycycline may reduce the antibiotic’s potency.

However, if you are taking doxycycline and don’t run any of these risks, it should be safe for you to have one or two drinks without the antibiotic’s effectiveness being affected.

What Will Happen If I Drink Alcohol?

Some antibiotics, such as metronidazole and tinidazole, have serious interactions with alcohol that can result in a range of side effects including:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Stomach issues
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Rapid heart rate

It shouldn’t have any of these effects if you have one or two alcoholic beverages while taking doxycycline.

However, it’s best to refrain from drinking alcohol if you’re still recovering from an infection. Drinking alcohol, especially heavily, is linked to decreased functioning of your immune system.

Also Read: How Soon Can You Drink Coffee After Taking Omeprazole

According to research, drinking while taking doxycycline lowers the drug’s blood levels and may reduce its effectiveness. After stopping drinking, the effects can linger for days.

If you’re someone who drinks alcohol frequently, the manufacturer advises switching to another medication.

What If I’ve Already Had Some Alcohol?

Avoiding alcohol while taking doxycycline is typically advised by healthcare professionals. You shouldn’t worry if you’ve already had a drink, though.

Drinking a little alcohol while taking doxycycline shouldn’t be fatal. You should switch to water if you have been drinking already now that you are aware of this.

How Long After Stopping Doxycycline Can I Drink?

A cautious response would be that you can start drinking again five days after your last doxycycline dose. The half-life of doxycycline is 18 to 22 hours, and it typically takes five half-lives for a drug to completely leave your body.

Healthcare professionals can’t say for sure, but it’s probably safe to start drinking alcohol before the five-day mark after stopping doxycycline. If you have a history of liver disease, are taking other medications, or have any other health issues, you should seek medical advice from your doctor. In light of your treatment objectives and general health, they can offer advice on what is best for you.

Is It Safe to Mix Alcohol and Antibiotics?

Additional warnings, interactions, and precautions apply to doxycycline. Children under the age of eight, women who are pregnant, or those who are nursing are not advised to take the medication (DailyMed, 2017; DailyMed, 2021).

The bottom line: If you’re taking doxycycline, you might want to wait to drink any alcohol until your treatment is finished even though a small amount of alcohol may not result in a severe reaction.

In addition, speak with a pharmacist or healthcare professional if you have any additional inquiries about doxycycline.

Potential Side Effects Doxycycline

Doxycycline, like many other antibiotics, may cause some common side effects.

These can include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Rectal or vaginal itching
• Sore throat
• Swollen tongue
• Dry mouth
• Back pain
• Changes to the color of skin, scars, nails, eyes, or mouth
• Anxiety

Mixing the two is also not recommended because some of these symptoms can also appear after consuming alcohol.

You must be able to gauge how well the antibiotic is working for you.

You should inform your doctor if you experience any unusually severe side effects from doxycycline. These can include:

• Headache, blurred vision, or vision loss (known as intracranial hypertension)
• Hives, rash, or other allergic reactions
• Skin redness, blistering, or peeling
• Fever
• Swollen glands
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing or other allergic reactions
• Swelling of the eyes, lips, throat, tongue, or face
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Changes to bowel movements, including watery or bloody stools
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain
• Chest pain
• Discoloration of permanent teeth

Conclusion

While taking doxycycline, avoid drinking alcohol. After taking your antibiotic, wait two hours before consuming dairy products. Do not use tanning beds or get too much sun. Be sure to let your doctor know if you use birth control or other prescription medications. Drug interactions with doxycycline can sometimes be very harmful.

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