Is It Safe to Combine Flucloxacillin with Alcohol?

There are no known interactions caused by taking flucloxacillin with alcohol. It is a common myth that taking an antibiotic with alcohol causes severe negative side effects. The truth is that while it is not safe to combine some medications with alcohol, most medications do not effect an intoxicated user. It is important to read a medication bottle before taking the medication, in addition to reading any pamphlets the medication comes with. If a person is taking flucloxacillin with alcohol, he or she should look out for symptoms of an allergic reaction, which can be severe and life threatening.

Combining alcohol with most antibiotics is usually not a problem. Some antibiotics pose a threat to the user’s kidneys, however, to which alcohol can also do damage. Therefore, these antibiotics are often not prescribed to people with drinking problems. Drinking in moderation is key, in addition to stopping if the medication’s side effects are exacerbated by the effects of the alcohol.

Prescription medication bottles and packages typically contain clear warning signs of things to avoid. Alcohol, exposure to sun, and driving large machinery are common things to warn against. As there is no known adverse side effect of combining flucloxacillin with alcohol, these medication packages usually do not warn against such. Instead, they may warn against using heavy machinery until the user knows exactly how the medicine will affect him or her.

On the other hand, there are some reasons flucloxacillion should not be taken. This antibiotic’s class is penicillin, so anyone who is allergic to penicillin should inform his or her doctor to avoid being prescribed this drug. Women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding must also inform their doctor to determine whether the medication is safe to take. It is also generally discouraged to drink alcohol when pregnant because the substance could negatively affect the unborn child.

Some symptoms of an allergy to flucloxacillion are swelling of the face, tongue, or other body part; yellowing of the eyes or skin, which is known as jaundice; or an itchy rash. These issues are severe and deserve immediate medical attention. Taking flucloxacillin with alcohol should not increase the likelihood of having an allergic reaction, but it could increase the severity of certain ones, such as dizziness. Drinking large amounts of alcohol may also impair a person’s ability to get help as soon as possible.