I've been prescribed Metronidazole and instructed to take 500 mg pills three times daily for 10 days. I'm currently on day four of taking this antibiotic. I know that to mix with alcohol is not a good idea. However, I will be going out tomorrow night with some friends who most likely will be doing a bit of drinking. I am also one who enjoys to drink. So my question is this: Is it safe to stop the medication for that day so I can have a few drinks later that night? Is that a bad idea? Will it cause a bad reaction since the medication has been in my system for four days even if I take a break for that one day?
Metronidazole and alcohol?
Question posted by Thatguy117 on 8 Jan 2016
Last updated on 4 August 2020 by tedworld
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
41 Answers Page 2
tedworld
6 Oct 2018
I just, as last night, washed down a Flagyl and another antibiotic with a can of Steel Reserve. Did it last night as well. No ill effects.
JinDC
17 Aug 2018
I finished 4 days of Metronidazole 3 days ago and went out for happy hour this evening. After 3 sips of a Cosmo I was in severe pain with flushed face, profuse sweating, horrific stomach cramps, and low blood pressure (nearly passing out). The manager offered to call an ambulance because the reaction was so fast and overwhelming.
Drink at your own risk, but the pain from my reaction was breathtaking.
Diverticulitisboy
3 Aug 2018
I have read a lot about mixing alcohol and metronidazole and the suggested waiting period is anywhere from 24-72 hours after your last pill. The most compelling discussion I read stated that the half-life of metronidazole is 8 hours and therefore 44 hours after your last pill, the medicine is cleared from your system. So I waited 44 hours then promptly had three glasses of Pinot Noir in a 2 hour time period and experienced no ill effects whatsoever.
MarisaP123
1 Aug 2018
DO NOT DO IT. I took metronidazole 500mg 2 times a day for 7 days. It was 24 hours after I have taken my last dosage and went to a wine tasting. I had 6 ounces of wine. Only 6 ounces and I became very ill. I had diarrhea and my blood pressure dropped so low. I passed out and ended up in the hospital. I thought my body was shutting down. I was shaking on the floor, very dizzy, and sweating so bad. My ears were ringing so loud I couldn’t hear the people talk to me. It was very scary and the worst feeling of my life. Everyone’s body reacts differently, but trust me it’s not worth it.
Melken4
22 July 2018
I was prescribed Flagyl for just the possibility of an abscess in my mouth forming because I have a bad mouth infection right now. They prescribed me a couple other antibiotics to take care of the actual infection & told me this was just to decrease the size of the abscess if one was there. So I took it for 3.5 days, then decided if there was an abscess there, surely it had to be gone by then because I couldn’t even see one. So I stopped taking the Flagyl & went out for a few drinks the next night. So it’d been 36 hours since I last took the medicine. While I was drinking, I felt fine; but within an hour of getting home it started to feel like a hangover was kicking in. I went to sleep and woke up 3 hours later feeling dizzy, short of breath, and extremely nauseous. I took my inhaler, but now I’m scared to try to go back to sleep because of the shortness of breath. And I probably couldn’t sleep anyways because my stomach feels absolutely awful.
Based on the other responses, everyone has a different reaction, but I would be really careful mixing it. I’m a 105lb female who drinks regularly enough, and I still had this reaction.
Shelia57
29 June 2018
Don't drink with this drug.
Rdubb2230
7 June 2018
Do not drink while taking Flagyl
I had a pretty bad diverticulitis flare up, and they sent me home with some Flagyl to finish up the job while I recover.
I had been bed ridden for over a week, and was feeling pretty decent. So I had decided to join my GF out for a night finally.
I had 1 beer at home, a strong IPA, but nothin obscene. Then I have a second beer on the way to the bar. It was during my second beer that things went haywire.
I suddenly started sweating like it was 150 degrees outside, and become dizzy, nauseous, and really cold. (Even though I was sweating) My GF pulled over and I threw up on the side of the road.
After this spell had passed, Things got back to normal health wise and pushed through. We got to the bar, I ordered a water, and the unhealthy feelings came back.
I went to the bathroom to throw up, but I was unable to make it as I was so dizzy and disoriented, that I couldn’t walk. I even believe I passed out sitting in a high top as I started dreaming before I had to get a grip of reality again, recognize my location again, and make it back to my GFs car.
That night was terrible. The stomach cramps were unbearable, and I had pain in my balls.
Then, I went to the bathroom to pee, and it can out a muddy blue-green color. That was terrifying, but possible with Flagyl. (Or the off-brand name of metro... something rather)
4 days later, I’m just now starting to feel right again.
gma2three
28 April 2018
57y/0 taking Flagyl and cephalexin for a dental abscess ongoing for over a month prior to perio surgery. This warning worried the heck outta me, so I took my first pill at 10 am today and wondered what it would do.
Normally, I drink 2-3 glasses of wine a day, so at 5:30 I poured a 1/2 inch glass, drank it and waited.
NOTHING
My Saturday night is not derailed.
I may even have a shot of Maker's Mark. Maybe not - don't wanna push effectiveness. But it sure feels good to not HEAVE bc of the ATB!
I think there was a prior poster who remarked on people accustomed to drinking NOT having this reaction?
Closeshave1960
20 May 2018
If you take medication and told not to drink why do it??? I had 2 sherry trifles and not realising any possible effects and was off work for 6 months !! I am still ill from the effects today!! Why take the chance it might be you that is also effected badly.how do you know it’s not had a severe effect on your internal organs..if you were told not to drive down a road because a sign says there are unexploded mines on the road would you drive down there?? I’m sure you wouldn’t be that stupid.
Drkarcher
1 April 2018
I didn't drink for the entire 7 days that I was on it and still felt terrible. I wouldn't recommend it! Some days I woke up and almost puked just from the pills.
briparks25
26 March 2018
Don't do it!!! Just don't. I honestly forgot that I was not suppose to drink while on this medication and indulged in happy hour on Friday only to wake up Saturday vomiting non-stop all day, I was so weak and dizzy I had to leave work and go rest for the night. I still feel uneasy two days later, just don't risk it, it's not a good idea.
dragonfly808
21 March 2018
My doctor prescribed me this two days before Christmas (500mg twice a day.) She said "you shouldn't drink with it, but you know, it's the holidays and FAMILY, so just skip a dose if you're gonna drink." Didn't take the Christmas evening dose, had some whiskey, and felt just fine.
Ginos mom
9 March 2018
Please do not take the chance on drinking alcohol with this drug! I was on metronidazole for ten days and did not drink. I waited 48 hours and had one sip of wine and became very ill (vomiting,diarrhea,dizzy,etc). It apparently was still in my system.Trust me, you can go without drinking long enough to make sure this drug is completely out of your system. You will totally regret it if you dont!
Mjcrand
13 Feb 2018
No problem
Cassidymagee
11 Feb 2018
Hey guys. So I'm not saying the effects will be the same for everyone. But I just started taking this yesterday morning. I drank almost a whole bottle of wine last night and took my second pill before I went to bed. I had 0 side effects. The severe side effects obviously differ from person to person. I'm just hear to say NOT every9ne will get these effects. And I do not think one glass of wine would cause that much severity either.
Vmartinez737373
11 Feb 2018
DO NOT. I cannot emphasise this enough. I accidentally forgot. Don't ask me how I forgot, but I was flying out of town and I always have a drink before I board the plane. I had the pill an hour earlier. My flight was only an hour and within 30 minutes I thought that the worse was going to happen. I almost fainted. I was dizzy, skin was hot and reddish and I got really nauseous and I thought I was going to puke. I was itching in the face. So plane landed it, so I rush to the toilet and I had diarrhea. I almost passed out while I was pooping. I was very weak. The stewardess had me sit 10 mim after deplaning. I had what it feels like a 3 day bender hangover. Can't eat. I'm
On vacation and I am stuck in the hotel room being miserable. 2 days prior to that I had taken the pill and forgot about the interaction so I had a 1/2 a glass of wine and I feel like crap too. Not so bad but crappy. Don't fk with it
Ladyady
25 March 2018
I totally agree!! I have been on flagylfor 7 days after getting a god damn parasite from a first time cruise I went on, think it was the water, the parasite made me sick enough, but I won't dare to have a drink while taking this drug, after reading about the side affects, it's giving me the headaches from hell, or more like one long headache, and I couldn't think of even having a drink. I did cook some chicken which had a TINY amount of white wine sauce and felt pretty horrible after.
I do love my wine, but now I've just finished my flagyl tablets, and it's been 48 hours, and I still don't feel like drinking, OMG. Oh well , I have to say that I'm not missing it! Also a bit hesitant to have my first drink. I'll just use this time to get better, has however, put me off going on any other cruises.
Related topics
metronidazole, alcohol, prescription, antibiotics, pill
Further information
- Metronidazole uses and safety info
- Metronidazole prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Metronidazole (detailed)
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