Can You Drink Alcohol with Metronidazole (Flagyl)?

Metronidazole (flagyl) is a type of medication used for treating skin rashes, vaginal irritations, skin redness, and even pimples. The medication is used to treat these conditions because it’s an antibiotic with bacteria-killing capabilities. Some common brands include Metrogel, MetroCream, and Nuvesa. Metronidazole is a topical antibiotic that’s typically used as a cream. The cream is applied to the area of the body where there are issues. Metronidazole (Flagyl) can also be taken orally as tablets, which are used to treat similar conditions.

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What are the Effects of Mixing Alcohol and Metronidazole?

Mixing metronidazole and alcohol can cause many problems. While there is research suggesting that metronidazole doesn’t have a direct interaction with alcohol, other studies suggest that alcohol can lead to serious side effects when taken with metronidazole. Some side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, and even death. When consuming alcohol with metronidazole the medication also produces disulfiram-like reactions. Disulfiram (when taken with alcohol) causes alcohol to feel unpleasant. Mixing the medications can also increase your heart rate and lead to several heart problems.

Does Metronidazole (Flagyl) Affect the Taste of Alcohol?

No, metronidazole does not affect the taste of alcohol. While metronidazole doesn’t impact the taste of alcohol, it does make alcohol less pleasant to consume. As you become more intoxicated while on metronidazole, alcohol becomes less desirable. For some people, this can even impact the taste of alcohol. In some cases, Flagyl can leave an aftertaste in the mouth. This aftertaste can impact the taste of alcohol for a few minutes after taking Flagyl.

Does Metronidazole Affect the Effect of Alcohol?

Yes, metronidazole can affect the effect of alcohol. When taken together, metronidazole causes alcohol to feel less pleasant. This creates side effects that include nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, headaches, and more. Consuming alcohol and metronidazole can also lead to death and several severe complications. Furthermore, a combination of alcohol and metronidazole can make alcohol feel more intoxicating. Further intoxication is dangerous because it can lead to coma or death.

Does Metronidazole and Alcohol Cause Weight Gain?

Consuming alcohol and metronidazole does not typically cause weight gain. While mixing the substances can cause weight gain in people with excessive appetites, metronidazole usually reduces appetite. Therefore, metronidazole and alcohol rarely cause people to gain weight. In fact, the combination causes people to lose weight (in most cases). Even taking metronidazole can lead to weight loss because of how it reduces appetite.

Does Metronidazole (Flagyl) help with Sleep when Taken with Alcohol?

Metronidazole (Flagyl) can help with sleep when taken with alcohol. Alcohol causes drowsiness and can enhance the side effects of Flagyl; one of these side effects is drowsiness. For this reason, mixing the substances can lead to a loss of consciousness when taken in high dosages. That said, alcohol and metronidazole should not be combined or used as a sleep aid. Doing so can lead to adverse effects and potentially death.

Can Mixture of Alcohol and Metronidazole Lead to Death?

The mixture of metronidazole and alcohol can lead to death for some people. While it’s not common, some research suggests that metronidazole and alcohol lead to death. One example is a 1996 case study. In this report, a woman (31 years of age) consumed alcohol and metronidazole. Unfortunately, the woman died.

Therefore, the disulfiram-like reactions that Flagyl and alcohol have in some people are not the same for other people. Mixing the two substances is dangerous and alcoholism related death statistics prove it’s unsafe.

Who should not Take Alcohol and Metronidazole?

Nobody should take metronidazole and alcohol. While metronidazole and alcohol is not a dangerous combination for everyone, the way it interacts with the body can be dangerous. This potential danger should be enough to prevent people from mixing the substances. That said, some people are at a higher risk of experiencing side effects than others. These people include:

• People over the age of 65
• Women
• People with liver problems

People in these groups are more likely to experience side effects. Older people have an increased risk of alcohol leading to heavy intoxication, women have less water in their bodies (which increases BAC), and people with liver problems can’t break down alcohol efficiently. While people in these groups have a higher risk, nobody should consume alcohol with Flagyl.

Can I Take Metronidazole with Alcohol While Pregnant?

No, you can’t take metronidazole with alcohol during pregnancy. When pregnant, nobody should consume alcohol because it leads to serious side effects. If someone consumes alcohol during pregnancy it can cause a miscarriage, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and other complications. Metronidazole should also not be taken when pregnant unless you consult with your healthcare provider. Therefore, you should never mix the two substances during pregnancy.

Are all Types of Alcohol Harmful with Metronidazole?

Yes, all types of alcohol are harmful with metronidazole. All Types of alcohol are harmful because they have the same effects. In some cases, liquor is more dangerous than beer and wine. This is because liquor is more potent than beer and wine and has a higher alcohol percentage per volume (ABV). Consuming liquor with metronidazole can lead to more side effects for these reasons.

How Much Metronidazole can be Dangerous to Take with Alcohol?

Taking any amount of metronidazole can be dangerous to take with alcohol. The average dose of metronidazole is between 500 and 700 milligrams and this amount is often taken 3 times per day. For adults, a single dosage of 500 to 700 milligrams is enough to cause a negative reaction when mixed with alcohol. While having one or two standard drinks is typically safe when taking metronidazole, consuming more alcohol is dangerous. Furthermore, higher doses of metronidazole are more dangerous than lower doses.

Does Alcohol Affect How Well Metronidazole (Flagyl) will Work?

Alcohol interacts with the body and causes the immune system to act differently. When the immune system is managing alcohol, it has a harder time fighting infection. Plus, alcohol can cause inflammation. Inflammation causes an immune response and can pull the immune system away from infections. For these reasons, alcohol and antibiotics like metronidazole should never be mixed. Mixing the substances can also prolong infections and make the substances less effective.

How Long After Taking Metronidazole can You Drink Alcohol?

Metronidazole stays in your system for a long time, so you should wait for 3 days before drinking alcohol when you finish your prescription. If you’ve been taking metronidazole for many weeks or months, it’s a good idea to wait longer. In some cases, waiting for 3-5 is more beneficial and reduces the risk of side effects. Before consuming alcohol after taking metronidazole, make sure you consult with your doctor.

What Are Other Drugs That Are Dangerous To Use with Alcohol?

Many drugs are dangerous to take with alcohol. Consuming medications with alcohol can lead to many adverse reactions in the body. When consuming any medication with alcohol, you should always consult with your doctor. That said, some drugs are more dangerous than others.

Drugs that are dangerous to use with alcohol are listed below.

• Xanax
• Antidepressants
• Antifungal medications
• Hallucinogens
• Opioids
• Marijuana
• Claritin
• Pain medications
• Amphetamines
• Cocaine

These are only a few of the drugs that are dangerous to use with alcohol. Before taking anything with alcohol, always make sure you have your doctor’s approval.