When Can I Drink Alcohol After Taking Azithromycin?
It generally is not recommended to drink alcohol while recovering from an infection or while taking antibiotics.
I have a prescription for a Z Pack of azithromycin. I took it as prescribed and finished taking it today. When can I have an alcoholic drink?
Aug 17, 2022- There is no direct drug interaction between azithromycin and alcohol, but alcohol can worsen side effects like nausea and upset stomach and may slow your recovery from infection.
- It is generally recommended to wait at least 24 hours after finishing azithromycin before drinking alcohol.
- Alcohol can dehydrate you and suppress immune function, both of which can interfere with your body's ability to recover from infection.
Answer
Alcohol consumption while taking medication, especially antimicrobials, often brings concerns from patients and healthcare professionals alike.
Alcohol certainly can interact with medication in a variety of ways, including altering how they are metabolized or augmenting/diminishing the intended effect.
Having said that, there is no drug interaction between azithromycin and alcohol, but it generally is not recommended to drink alcohol while recovering from an infection or with any antibiotic (azithromycin included).
Alcohol has been shown to decrease immune system function in certain individuals and can potentially increase the side effects of azithromycin such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Abdominal pain
Alcohol - 'Z-Pak' Interaction
While studies show that alcohol doesn't appear to reduce the effectiveness of the actual drug (azithromycin), alcohol is generally recommended to be avoided when recovering from an infection.
Alcohol can cause dehydration, increasing the time it takes to return to normal health.
Hydration is extremely important for the recovery process and any substance that reduces hydration levels (e.g. caffeine, alcohol), should be avoided.
In addition, multiple studies show that high consumption of alcohol does, in fact, suppress the immune system and can increase the risk of infectious disease.
It is unknown exactly what level of consumption causes negative changes, but if you can avoid consumption while recovering from an active infection, it would be prudent to do so.
How Long To Wait
All in all, it is thought that drinking can slow the overall healing process. It is generally recommended to wait at least 24 hours after finishing your Z-Pak before consuming alcohol to make sure you are feeling well and to minimize any chance of side effects.
Final Words
Again, there is no 'drug-drug' interaction when taking alcohol after administration with azithromycin, as mentioned above.
However, if you are experiencing any symptoms from medication use such as nausea or abdominal pain, alcohol may worsen those side effects.
Azithromycin lasts in the body for a considerable period of time, 7 to 10 days. If you wish to completely avoid alcohol while the drug is present in your body, you would need to wait that period of time.
However, drinking alcohol 24 hours after your last dose of azithromycin would generally not cause any excess nausea.
References & sources
- Elsevier ClinicalKey: Azithromycin Monograph — ClinicalKey
- Alcohol and the Immune System — PubMed
- Alcohol abuse, alcoholism, and damage to the immune system--a review. — PubMed
- Prescribing azithromycin — PubMed
- Functional and numerical alterations induced by ethanol in the cellular immune system — ScienceDirect
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Antimicrobials
- Medications that kill or slow the growth of microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
- Metabolized
- The process by which your body breaks down and processes a medication.
- Azithromycin
- An antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections, commonly known by the brand name Z-Pak.
- Immune system
- Your body's natural defense system that fights off infections and diseases.
- Side effects
- Unwanted or unintended reactions that occur in addition to the intended effects of a medication.
- Dehydration
- A condition where your body loses too much water and fluids, affecting normal bodily functions.
- Drug-drug interaction
- A situation where two medications react with each other in a way that affects how they work.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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