Depending on the type of antibiotic someone is taking, doctors may recommend limiting or avoiding alcohol intake. Although some antibiotics can interact with alcohol, the risks are not the same for all types. Doctors will give different recommendations about a person’s alcohol intake depending on the type of antibiotic they prescribe.

Disulfiram-like reactions have been reported in the literature (94–96). Reactions can range in severity; one patient required admission to the intensive care unit (97). This patient reportedly experienced symptoms following consumption of 500 mg of griseofulvin and a single can of beer. The oxazolidinone class of antibiotics, including linezolid and tedizolid, are typically used in the treatment of resistant Gram-positive infections (80).

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.

Can You Drink Alcohol With Levaquin?

There were no differences in the rate of elimination of amoxicillin. Concomitant use of alcohol with antimicrobials is believed to either decrease efficacy or lead to toxicity/ADR (6, 7). The classic example of a feared medication interaction with alcohol is the “disulfiram-like” reaction. Symptoms may include facial flushing, nausea, headache, vomiting, chest pain, vertigo, sweating, thirst, blurred vision, weakness, confusion, and hypotension (8). According to a study published in March 2014 in Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, calcium found in supplements can decrease the effectiveness of Levaquin. There is no clinical evidence about Levaquin interacting with eating or drinking dairy products.

Fluoroquinolones

To our knowledge, there are no data available on the PK/PD or efficacy of oxazolidinone. To our knowledge, there are no data available on the PK/PD or efficacy of TMP-SMX. To our knowledge, there are no data available on the PK/PD or efficacy of nitrofurantoin. To our knowledge, there are no data available on the efficacy of minocycline.

Modest consumption of alcohol may not affect the functioning of levofloxacin as such, but experts still advise caution. If you accidentally drink alcohol while taking Levofloxacin, it is important to contact your doctor or healthcare provider right away. They can provide you with advice and support to help you manage any side effects or reduce the risk of the medication becoming less effective. Consuming alcohol while taking levofloxacin can cause serious side effects. For example, alcohol can interact with levofloxacin and increase the risk of developing serious side effects such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and headaches. Additionally, alcohol can also reduce the effectiveness of the antibiotic, making it less likely to effectively treat the bacterial infection.

Can You Drink Caffeine While on a Z-Pak?

You can also opt for non-alcoholic versions of your favorite cocktails. This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System. The contents of this manuscript are not intended to represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States government. To our knowledge, there are no data available on the efficacy of cycloserine. Pyrazinamide is another agent used in combination therapy for the treatment of TB (116).

Can Hydroxycut Interfere With Other Medications Like Amoxicillin?

Like most antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, levofloxacin, amoxicillin, doxycycline, prednisone, etc. There are specific rules about what you can and cannot consume when you are taking this drug. While the combination of Levaquin and alcohol use might not kill you, it can cause seriously dangerous side effects. Because of this, you should avoid drinking alcohol when you are using Levaquin.

  • He creates this site to offer guidance and support to individuals seeking to overcome addiction and achieve lasting sobriety.
  • It belongs to the class of medications called quinolone antibiotics.
  • If you are on a long-term course of Levaquin (10+ days), consult your doctor before drinking alcohol, as interactions can be more severe.
  • If you drink alcohol in moderation, it may not stop Levofloxacin from treating your infection, but it can make it take longer to work and may reduce your energy.

Two authors observed higher rates of side effects in patients treated with metronidazole than with placebo (64, 65). Other authors described different degrees of reactions attributed to a disulfiram-like effect within the study populations (50, 58, 60, 62, 66). Many antibiotics carry caution stickers that warn against alcohol consumption.

Anxiety Medication Addiction

Levofloxacin, a quinolone antibiotic, is prescribed to combat bacterial infections. It’s used for conditions such as skin, prostate, kidney, and Pneumonia. In this article, we’ll explore the safety of alcohol consumption while on Levofloxacin, its potential reactions, and Levofloxacin’s side effects.

Doctors generally advise against this combination due to safety concerns and the potential for prolonged resolution of bacterial infections. Alcohol weakens the immune system, making it harder for your body to combat infections effectively. Daily alcohol consumption can also overwhelm your liver, potentially interfering with Levofloxacin’s effectiveness and harming your liver. It’s crucial to listen to the medical advice and refrain from combining Levofloxacin and alcohol to ensure effective treatment and avoid potential complications.

It is recommended to avoid alcohol for the entire duration of Levaquin treatment and continuing for at least 72 hours after the last dose. Cycloserine may decrease alcohol craving, and the package inset warns of seizures with concomitant alcohol use, but data to support this warning were not identified. Per package labeling, alcohol did not affect alcohol dehydrogenase in in vitro studies and may be concurrently consumed with secnidazole (73). Package labeling recommends avoiding alcohol within 72 h of tinidazole due to its chemical similarity to metronidazole, but data to support this concern were not identified (72). Macrolide antibiotics are used for respiratory tract and mycobacterial infections (26–28). So if you eat or drink large quantities of dairy or other foods that contain added or large amounts of natural calcium, the extra calcium may cause Levaquin to work less effectively.

Despite all the warnings mentioned above, remember that having a single drink with levofloxacin does not usually cause lasting damage if it happens once. Alcohol can target the central nervous system, and using Levaquin on top of it can worsen these effects. To avoid central nervous system problems altogether, do not take the risk of using Levaquin and alcohol together. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. In the event of a medical emergency, call a doctor or 911 immediately.

Whiskey did not significantly modify the absorption of 200 mg of oral doxycycline. Acute intake of alcoholic beverages does not interfere with the PK of doxycycline to an extent that would affect its therapeutic levels. Levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and trovafloxacin had improved efficacy in alcohol-fed rats compared to alcohol-free rats (24).

Ethionamide package labeling recommends against excessive alcohol consumption (113). Ethionamide, often used in combination with pyrazinamide, is known to cause hepatotoxicity (113). An observational study of 55 alcoholics with TB found that mild liver impairment in alcoholics is not a contraindication for treatment with ethionamide (114). Of the 55 patients in that study, 30 received ethionamide and three patients developed parenchymal liver damage. Two of these cases may have been related to the concurrent use of pyrazinamide (114).

Conversely, a smaller retrospective study of patients on isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide found that alcohol intake did not significantly impact hepatotoxicity (103). Levaquin is a member of a broader class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones that carry the potential to trigger mental health issues. The Food and Drug Administration or the FDA, has published many warnings previously regarding the potential negative effects the use of fluoroquinolones can have on a person’s mental health. The risk of these side effects becomes higher in people who have a background of seizures and those who levaquin and alcohol drink alcohol.

Drinking while taking Levaquin can lead to nervousness, confusion, agitation, and severe disorientation. Moreover, drinking after taking any antibiotic, including levofloxacin, can also cause issues with attention and memory loss. It is also important to note that the effects of alcohol can last up to 24 hours after consumption. In conclusion, it is generally not advisable to consume alcohol while taking Levaquin. Alcohol can interfere with the medication’s effectiveness, increase the risk of side effects, and compromise your overall treatment.