I wiegh 102lbs and consumed 22oz of 12%Beer over 10hrs ago. Ive been perscribed 500mg of Metronidazole in a 7 day cycle.
Is it safe to take Metronidazole hours after drinking alcohol?
Question posted by yellibelli on 30 Aug 2012
Last updated on 4 January 2020
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.
43 Answers Page 3
pinkvock
17 Nov 2015
It's not recommended but I just have to put my experience out there. I've been on this medication several times as I have issues with recurrent BV. I've actually taken the medication with a beer to wash it down before and had no ill effects. I have not drank heavily while on it but even up to 3 or 4 in an evening. I have never had a problem. There must be some aspect of individual chemistry involved in this reaction. I'm guessing I'm in the minority so it's at your own risk.
tonyamr40
2 Oct 2015
I started taking this a few days ago,and never had any problems with it or any other antibiotics so there for I wanted to drink so I started reading all the response and thought I would be OK,well I was wrong the 3rd night I drank about 1/2 pint of vodka and that morning woke up very sick,so I didn't take anymore after the 3rd day well the 4th night I drank the same and thought since I hadn't taking anymore it wouldn't make me sick well it did and I got the chills a d many other of the side affects.so NOiI would not drink.
Lovesummer
28 Sep 2015
No means NO! I Serioualy realized after it was done.
I only had one more day left with this medication. One or two glasses of wine wouldn't hurt?! I ended up having four glasses of wine and two shots of vodka.
After six hours of drinking...
I thought I was dying. I threw up four times that night. I went to sleep and waking up with really bad headache, dizziness and nauseous. I could not even put my head up and felt nauseous for nine hours then I threw up twice again. I still felt nauseous after that but went to bed. I was only able to drink sip of water every hour.
I ruined whole Sunday and finally woke up feeling better on Monday.
So NO! DON'T DRINK!!
Alexandra5
7 Sep 2015
NOOO! LET ME TELL YOU GUYS ABOUT THE NIGHT I JUST HAD!
I know people caution not to drink on it, but i just paid $100 on a edm music festival ticket and i thought there was no way i was going totally sober. One little drink wouldnt hurt right?
Well the first hour was just awesome and im having so much fun, until i start feeling lightheaded. So my friend and i sit down and i just start puking everywhere.
Next thing you know hours pass by, im still sitting on the floor puking my brains out. I couldnt get up, i felt so incredibly dizzy and nauseous. It felt like my stomach was ripping apart!
So the hours go by, and im promising my best friend who i convinced to also spend $100 on a ticket for this thing, that im going to get up, im going to get this out of my system and were going to have fun and dance!
So i for her sake, once i felt a little bit better, we went over and started dancing. At first i felt okay, NEXT THING YOU KNOW I THINK IM ABOUT TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK.
So my best friend, being a good friend, takes me home early.
And when i got home the side effects didnt stop! My stomach still felt like it was ripping apart, my head felt heavy and dizzy and the worst headache of my life, my chest still felt like i was about to explode.
And im pretty sure i just peed blood a few minutes ago.
The whole time people were asking me what drugs i was on or how much i drank, but this was all the result of drinking 3 shots of vodka 12 hours after the medicine.
So when i looked up side effects of mixing the two to make sure im not dying, i didnt see anyone sharing what happened when they did it! So i need to share with you guys what happens when you actually mix the two! Its not worth risking! Seriously, i feel like me and my friend just waisted $200 on this! If only i had just listened about drinking on this medicine!
Monee43
27 Sep 2015
Thanks so much for your feedback, I couldn't help but laugh out loud reading your story because you told it with such honesty... I drank a bottle and a half of champagne yesterday and was supposed to start my pills, ill wait! I'm not trying to experience that feeling at all
maxamiller
28 Aug 2015
I'm on day seven of my Flagyl course. The only side effect with alcohol is that I become intoxicated from half a bee.r No nausea, vomiting, or headaches. I'm a 195 lb male.
larrener
9 Aug 2015
Well I been taking it for 3 days but skipped a day and dranked next day took the medicine but I'm scared of what may happen
Delila
10 Aug 2015
How are you feeling now?
Delila
19 July 2015
Hi pouchitisme, it is always interesting to read individual accounts of how medications affect us... I always thought that you MUST leave 48 hours between drinking and taking this medication. Years ago it would be used to try to control drinking in alcoholics because of its side effects when mixed with alcohol. I think you are a very unusual case. I'm glad you didn't become ill, and thanks for sharing your story
chatteron
31 Oct 2016
I was prescribed Flagyl twice early this year. The first time no one said not to drink. The label may have said it, but then I take nine Rx and they all say it. So I drank my wine normally and I had no effects. The next time I was told to absolutely not drink and I did not drink, and I was okay. Personally, I don't think it makes a difference. If they told me the med would not work if alcohol was present, that would be a different story.. Just sayin
pouchitisme
19 July 2015
OK, let me first of state that in no way shape or form am I saying that it's OK to drink while taking this drug.
With that being said, I will give you my own personal account. That all. What I have experienced.
Me: 42/6'2/180 white male.
I take Metro from time to time over the past 20 years for my Ulcerative Colitits, now Pouchitis, whenever I have a particularly bad flare up.
Usually 250 MG three time a day.
I am constantly on Cipro.
I heeded the warnings for years, very careful not to ingest alcohol at the RX insistance. But that being said, I like to drink alcohol. But none the less I abstained. Then one year one of my closest cousins got married during a flare up while I was on the drug. When it came time for the champagne toast, I thought to myself I'll be damned if I'm not going to drink a toast, I'm a big boy, I know what will happen and I'll deal with the consequences. So I did it.
Nothing.
I didn't think too much of it at the time, but later I decided to research it a bit. The doctors and pharmacy all used the words "violently ill" if I ingested even small amounts of alcohol. But nothing like damage to the liver or anything permenant, just that you'd get very sick.
So reading the sites, like this, I found that besides getting sick, cramps, barfing, etc, there was no real harm. Just that you would get "violently ill".
So one football afternoon with friends I stupidly decided (do not try this) to drink a beer. I figured I'd drink it really slow and if I started to feel any ill effects I'd immediately stop. Gingerly I drank the beer over an hour.
Nothing.
Hmmm. Well, lets try one more. Nothing. I ended up drinking four beers that day. Nothing.
Over the next few years, I make it a rule to try to not drink on this drug, but in all honesty I have gotten quite inebriated, drinking many beers and doing shots and... nothing.
It's stupid, not smart to do. Maybe I'm a rare case. I don't advise anyone at all to do this. But this is my own personal account. And from my own experience, I seem to be able to drink while taking this drug.
Again, don't drink on this drug.
I felt like I should share, every experience, good or bad, helps to get out there.
Islandohana
11 Aug 2015
I appreciate the honest feedback! I am in Park City for a sales conference and drank 2 beers (they're like 3.8% abv). One beer during lunch and the other after a big dinner. I know it says to not drink on this medicine but I totally spaced it! I feel fine but will definitely not drink on this medication just out of sheer anxiety. Thanks again.
gigiLILI
30 April 2016
I agree that it's probably not a good thing to go against the warnings on a prescribed med, but I'll also share my "accidental" experience that occurred last night. I started on Metro about 3 days ago, twice a day, 500 mg. I rarely take medication of any kind. I am pretty much "anti" antibiotics, but this time around, I really needed to take it. The reason I mention that I'm anti anti-biotics/rarely take meds is that it contributed to my forgetfulness when it came to drinking a bit of alcohol last night. (beer) I don't ever take medication, so I "forgot" that I am on antibiotics. I was preparing dinner and had bought a 6 pack of beer to drink while I cooked. Well, I drank about 3/4 of the beer and started noticing that my tummy felt a dull, achy sort of feeling (similar to what it feels like when you take too many vitamins at once, or take vitamins on an empty stomach). I immediately thought, "Hm, that's strange.
Why do I feel this weird, achy feeling?" Then it hit me: Antibiotics and alcohol. I immediately panicked. I imagined my liver shrinking and forming polyps (for some reason) and then started Googling like crazy. All warnings pointed to "violently ill, even death" (!!) I made sure my partner knew what I had done just in case he had to call 911. I waited and waited... nothing. In fact, I immediately drank about 32 ounces of water, hoping to dilute the effect. The stomach pain went away. I ate dinner. Nothing. I was even due for my next round (taken at 9 pm) and contemplated not taking it, but since two hours had passed with absolutely no reaction, I went ahead and took it. As mentioned earlier, there is no warnings that outline any permanent damage to your stomach or other organs, just that there may be a violent, horrible nauseating reaction if taken. So I took my dose at 9 pm and slept like a baby. This morning, I woke up and still nothing. I just took my morning dose and... nothing. No reaction. I imagine from other people's experience above, that it might just depend on your stomach and your individual body and its reaction. You still should not do it if possible, just out of common sense, but personally I took it by accident with a bit of alcohol (mind you, not that much) and all I walked away with was a dull stomach ache that went away after I drank a whole bunch of water and ate dinner. P.S. I eat really healthy and as mentioned, my body is not used to medication, so I would think I would be a pretty good candidate to get sick from an exposure like this. Also, I am 5 foot, 1 inch tall - not a tall, strapping woman, and so drugs seem to usually be more consolidated and effect me more. Still, no reaction. Good luck, all!
Lymelady
9 June 2016
I have been on Metro for years. I have chronic Lyme Disease. I have had a glass of wine the night before I took Metto and had severe stomach pain and nausea. I think it depends upon the individual and what other medication you may be on. I also take Omnicef, and various other antibiotics. I would wait at least 48 hours after your last dose before drinking. It isn't worth it... as badly as it makes one feel, it can't be good for one's liver.
Jimmie 5
25 Dec 2016
Do like your Dr. tell you
Linda_1970
2 Oct 2017
I'm with you, never had a problem drinking alcohol while taking this medication. I always have a glass or two of wine at night and I've never gotten sick!
Ametro32
3 Dec 2017
Wow, that is crazy! I have taken this same drug several times and much like you, I was determined not to drink on it! Well this past Saturday a girlfriend of mine was taking shots and throwing back mixed drinks, I told her the antibiotic I was on does not allow me to drink and she said she was on the same antibiotic and she drank all the time. Well it made me feel some type of way so I decided to try ONE drink. I started feeling nauseated and left the party early because I knew there were only a matter of seconds before I would be throwing up everywhere. I did make it home and went straight to the restroom! I think when doctors say “violently ill” I think they are referring to the intense form of vomiting! I feel like I threw up every organ in my stomach, I had severe diarrhea at the same time. Last night was the worst night of my life! Do yourself a favor and DO NOT DRINK on this drug
tess2700
5 April 2014
Well I drank last night. Took one today and Im fine. I would have waited had a read this but too late now. Oooops!!
tess2700
5 April 2014
alcohol only stay in your system for a matter of hours anyway. I think Im fine. Would have wait till tomorrow had I read this though but Im feeling fine
jojo1998
17 April 2015
I was given a dose yesterday at the hospital. I took four pills at office 11 hours after I drank. The doctor said it was fine abd even stated I could drink the next evening if I chose to
boatenvy
30 May 2015
Unless you've had a butt load to drink I'd think that your body will have metabolized the alcohol within 12 hours and you'd be good to take the drug. Having said that it is worth pointing out that drinking when on this drug is a BAD idea ... and by 'bad' I mean you will really, really wish you hadn't. I screwed up and had two beers while I was half way through the 7 day course, it wasn't deliberate I was being clueless (my bad). I wanted to puke but I couldn't, I felt like I need to camp out on the toilet but no luck there either, God awful headache, complete lack of energy ... it felt like I'd been poisoned and my body wanted to expel the poison but there was no way to do so ... and this all started within 20 minutes of the second beer (to be honest I started to feel listless after the first but figured I was just a bit tired ... sure a second beer would help!).
I probably spent about 3 hours feeling like that and then thankfully started to improve. This is not a drug that you mess about with. After the course I waited about 36 hours before drinking and I was fine but even then I had one beer and waited to see how that went before having another.
If you want to know what it feels like to be poisoned then go ahead take Flagyl and a have a drink but probably more fun to just imagine what it might be like!
larrener
9 Aug 2015
I jus did the same
angryguy
24 Aug 2013
From what I've read in the last couple of hours there is no proof of a significant interaction between Metronidazole and alcohol. That said it's better safe than sorry. Now to what I have an issue with. You do not need to wait days and days after drinking 22 ounces of 12 percent beer. That's 2.4 ounces of alcohol. What beer is 12 percent? Anyway the average human can process 1 ounce per hour so 2.5 hours is most likely fine. Double it if you want to 5 hours. After 11 hours you are not going to have an issue.
I know this is old and I know it doesn't matter but I have to do my part when I see complete misinformation. I've been prescribed Metronidazole for diverticulitis many times over the years and while I never mixed them I certainly have had alcohol within a timeframe you have been given. If it were the other way I would wait a couple of days after taking Metronidazole to have a drink but alcohol is processed and gone relatively quickly.
medbg
22 Sep 2013
This is true! I have been taking this medicine for 3 days an tonight I drunk a beer. Waited 3 hours an several bathroom trips later to take another pill nothing has happened to me. But a friend of mines drunk a couple shots of circo an had bad cramps later that night.
Sickandsorry
6 Oct 2013
Complete misinformation? I have taken an 8 day course of flagyl. I finished my course Friday at 5. I drank beer yesterday... Saturday afternoon from 3. I haven't vomited in 5 years and Sunday I felt like I had food poisoning. I was so sick... I vomited over and over. I am feeling very sorry now. My ex was on a dose of flagyl and he drank beer. Into his 3rd one he was violently sick and stayed on the toilet floor for the remainder of the night. Not a healthcare professional and I was skeptical of any reaction but I would not risk drinking... Even after 24hrs of finishing the course. I thought it would be fine but it wasnt.
CeCe_isme
7 Dec 2013
someone help me. I took a half a pill of flaygl and drunk 5 sips of a coller do u think I will b sick
Fogs
25 June 2014
Just reading through these previous posts as I've just finished a course of this medication. My doctor wanted me to start straight away after receiving results I had gut parasites, I had consumed three glasses of wine the night before and had no adverse effects when started meds next day. I did not consume during the 9 day course. I was very sick one day when I was rushed and took tabs on an empty stomach ... not a good idea, make sure you have something substantial.
mollify
8 Sep 2014
There's a percentage of people that have the alcohol related sensitivity, I am one of them. I waited 48 hours, almost to the tee, on a weekend after taking flagyl and I hurled for hours and hours, painful sometime dry heaving puking... after only drinking half a beer. And while I am 5'2'' 125 lb I can hold my liquor better than that...
AnaheimShaolin
10 July 2015
I took flagyl 3 times a day for 14 days. By day 7 I gave in and drank about 3 beers and two shots of Jager. I felt fine. I never got sick nor had any side effects. I did it again 2 days later and still didn't get sick. Maybe I was lucky but it never made me sick.
Doegirl
4 Oct 2016
The issue is not alcohol prior to beginning the drug because the alcohol is quickly metabolized. You would want to wait until the alcohol is out of your system prior to beginning drug course. The biggest caution is during and three days after due to the drug having a half life of 8 hours for one dose. In addition this drug is metabolized through the liver which adding additional pollutants such as alcohol which is metabolized through the liver causes stress. Bottom line is, don't drink just before, during, or three days after drug course to avoid illness and reactions. That is 11 days without alcohol. If you simply cannot go 11 days without alcohol then you may to seek help of some kind.
HeadStarter
30 Aug 2012
Hello yellibelli - So after all of these thorough and complete answers... DO NOT START YOUR MEDICATION FOR A FEW DAYS!!! That is the bottom line. You said you had some alcohol 11 hours ago now. I would wait until Friday to start that medication or even Saturday but there is NO DRINKING while taking this medication and when the 7 days is up... you MUST WAIT ANOTHER 48 HOURS TO DRINK!
This just cannot be overstated enough as far as I am concerned. NO DRINKING or you will be sicker than dog during a dog day afternoon!!! Okay???
NO BOOZE OF ANY KIND... NONE... NODDA... NIEN. Be careful what you eat and know what is in the food you eat. NO ALCOHOL IN SAUCES like wine or sherry, for instance. I believe you know what "no" and "none" mean. So, be safe and follow your treatment plan. Any questions, ask your doctor before the weekend gets here because this IS A HOLIDAY WEEKEND!!!
Be well and take good care of you!
Mary
yellibelli
30 Aug 2012
Thank you for your help!!
HeadStarter
30 Aug 2012
You are most welcome... waiting another day is probably a good idea, too.
Mary
Pamela05
15 Nov 2015
Ok I'm on this Med. I don't have a stomach. So if I drink will I still get sick??
Inactive
30 Aug 2012
Rajive sent you the drug interaction info and he is very thorough. Let me put it to you in plain everyday language, you will hurl, and hurl and hurl. Do NOT attempt to take metro/flagyl until at least 48 hours have passed. It has that warning on the bottle for a very good reason. It can actually make evn people who don't drink alcohol hurl if they take it on an empty stomach. Mkr sure you eat before you take this medicine. Patti
yellibelli
30 Aug 2012
Thank you for your help! I was thinking the alcohol would have been out of my system by now but i will wait another day before starting my script. I deff dont want to be hurling lol. - Danielle
Inactive
30 Aug 2012
You are most welcome, although flagyl/metro is a good med, it will make you hurl, I hate to hurl myself.
Rajive Goel
31 Aug 2012
Thanks Patti, are you well?
Inactive
31 Aug 2012
Yes, my friend, I am. Made it thru hurricane Isaac. I hope your foot is better, I sent you a pq about a solution of Clorox and water called Dakins thqt my room mates surgeon gave him, to help heal his surgical wounds. He had MRSA and pseudomonas and it cleared it up nicely. Hope you got that pq, patti
Rajive Goel
31 Aug 2012
Yes I did Patti, now my foot wound is much much better, but maybe I wanted to share that I get a lot of greenish discharge from day 2 after i get the bandage changed, what is this? Maybe your friend could give me some more advice!!!
Inactive
31 Aug 2012
It may be the pseudomonas, ken had that green discharge. Use distilled water mixed with the Clorox, you can make it as weak as one tablespoon of clorox to 8 ounces of water or for stronger mix one ounce of Clorox to 8 ounces distilled water. I used the stronger formula at first as per drs orders. Store with the lid on tight and in a cool dark place. The green stuff is likely the pseudomonas germ. An ounce in us is 30ml metric, but I bet you knew that. Hope it works as quickly for you as it did ken. Use til wound is completely healed. Patti
Rajive Goel
31 Aug 2012
Thanks a ton, I shall try it & keep you posted.
High time you went to bed now!
janlar
5 March 2013
I started taking Metronidazole last week. Took the first dose about maybe 20 hrs after a very long night out drinking with old friends and there was no problem at all :-)
millermkm
17 March 2015
I actually took this medicine on an empty stomach for the full 7 day course and never had a problem with nausea.
Amhadaka
14 Oct 2017
I was given a prescription for this for a GI issue and was never warned about alcohol. I had an evening sending away party for a co-worker and had 3 drinks. Literally didn't do a thing. I took the medication with the alcohol at dinner??? Nothing. Seems like it's a person-to-person metabolic issue.
Sheppsevin
30 Oct 2018
This medication and alcohol have a VIOLENT reaction.. DO NOT DRINK
I had a shot one day after completing 7 day cycle and had to be rushed to the hospital. My body was in pure shock. I couldn’t vomit if I wanted too..felt like my insides were trying to come out.. the dry heaving was entirely violent. The paramedics thought I was detoxing off a drug. DO NOT DRINK.. wait 48 hours at least! Worst experience ever!!!
Rajive Goel
30 Aug 2012
Alcohol and metronidazole interact in a severe or even dangerous way. Even the prescribing information for metronidazole products warn of this possible interaction, stating that consuming alcohol while taking this drug (or even within three days of metronidazole) may cause the following side effects: Nausea; Vomiting; Flushing; Headache; Digestive upset.
However, recent clinical studies have failed to demonstrate a significant interaction between metronidazole and alcohol. Despite the lack of a demonstrated interaction, the doc/pharmacist will probably still warn you to avoid alcohol while taking this medicine. Most of the supposed effects of the metronidazole/alcohol interaction can be attributed to just the antibiotic.
Please take care, best wishes!
yellibelli
30 Aug 2012
Thank you for your help!!
Rajive Goel
31 Aug 2012
Most welcome, above all stay well & safe!
chrisjones34
19 July 2015
Hi I've been taking metronidazole 400mg 3 times a day and due to finish my last one on Wednesday, I'm going to benidorm Thursday will it be safe for me to drink alcohol as be 24 hours later ?? Thanks chris
Bengalsfanaz
2 Dec 2016
Sounds like it depends on the person. I have been taking this drug for two days and stop taking it for 13 hours and then had a few drinks. I felt some strange tingling in my head and ears and a little dizzy at first but after that had no noticeable side effects.
chatteron
7 Jan 2017
I have had alcohol and took this drug when I didn't know I wasn't supposed to. Almost all meds say do not drink alcohol and people drink anyway. I never had a bad reaction to alcohol and this drug. Now it seems the latest news coming out is that there is no bad connection between the two.
Jeslynmjohnson
15 Sep 2017
Did you end up getting sick after having a drink on the medicine?
Jodicy77
17 Aug 2018
If I only took one flagyl and not taking anymore can I have a glass of wine?
Related topics
Further information
- Metronidazole uses and safety info
- Metronidazole prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Metronidazole (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.