Can You Take Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) With Alcohol?

Answer

While there is no direct interaction between ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and alcohol, it is not recommended to drink while recovering from an infection.

Alcohol can decrease immune function and exacerbate (i.e., make worse) antibiotic side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and upset stomach.

Additionally, while recovering from an infection, it is important to stay well-hydrated and get plenty of rest. Alcohol can cause dehydration.

How Alcohol Is Metabolized

Alcohol is primarily metabolized via alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, cytochrome P450 (CYP2E1), and catalase. The byproducts of alcohol include acetaldehyde and acetate which contribute to many of the negative effects.

Genetic variation of these enzymes causes varying degrees of alcohol metabolism—which is why everyone tolerates alcohol differently and when mixed with antibiotics, some may experience worse side effects than others.

Some drugs, like metronidazole, may cause a “disulfiram-like reaction” when taken with alcohol. This can cause flushing, nausea, vomiting, and general “hangover effects”.

These drugs inhibit aldehyde dehydrogenase which is crucial in the metabolism of alcohol. Some of these drugs include disulfiram and chloramphenicol.

Disulfiram is actually used clinically to treat alcohol dependence since it makes drinking alcohol much less desirable. Ciprofloxacin is not one of these drugs.

Cipro Information

Ciprofloxacin is a commonly used antibiotic in the fluoroquinolone class and can be used to treat a variety of infections. It is considered to be a broad-spectrum antibiotic.

Ciprofloxacin is absorbed via the GI tract and is metabolized and eliminated via the liver and kidney. Ciprofloxacin does inhibit CYP1A2 and CYP3A4, but neither of these impact alcohol metabolism.

Ciprofloxacin can cause abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea similar to other antibiotics. Unique side effects of fluoroquinolones include tendon rupture (especially in the elderly population, burning/tingling in extremities, and CNS effects.

Final Words

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