Is it harmful to drink alcohol during antibiotics?

Some antibiotics should not mix with any amount of alcohol. These include metronidazol (Flagil), Tinidazol (Tindamax) and sulfamethoxazole-trim (Bactrim, Septra). Drinking alcohol with these drugs can cause such side effects as frying, headaches, nausea, and vomiting, and rapid heartbeat. Also, the linesolid antibiotic (Zyvox) interacts with several alcoholic beverages, including red wine and tap beer. Drinking these with this drug can cause a harmful increase in blood pressure. Remember, some drugs for cooling and mouthwash also contain alcohol. So check the label. Do not use such products while taking these antibiotics. Modest use of alcohol does not affect most antibiotics. But drinking alcohol can lower your energy and slow down your recovery rate. So it is a good idea not to drink alcohol until you finish antibiotics and feel better.