Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. If these reactions are especially bothersome, check with your doctor. If you have low blood potassium or an abnormally slow heartbeat, levofloxacin may increase your risk of having a fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness, or fainting spells.

Ethionamide.

The reaction resolved with continued ciprofloxacin use and abstention from alcohol. The effects of alcohol on levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and trovafloxacin were studied in a rat pneumonia model (24). The mean serum Cmax and AUC were higher in the ethanol-fed group for all FQs, with a statistically significant difference in the moxifloxacin group. The ethanol-fed group was found to have decreased protein binding and an increased free fraction of antibiotics. Amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid may lead to decreased alcohol consumption. Both of these beta-lactams have the ability to upregulate glutamate transporter-1 and phosphorylated-AKT levels, which are responsible for mediating the brain reward center for alcohol intake (12).

Toxicity/ADR.

Studies have shown positive pressor responses in comparison with placebo with tyramine administration (81, 82). One patient developed heart block after taking linezolid and 7 mg of tyramine (81, 82). Per prescribing information, large quantities of beverages with a high tyramine content, including red wine and tap beers, should be avoided and limited to less than 100 mg of tyramine daily (83). Given linezolid’s weaker affinity and reversible MAO enzyme inhibition relative to that of other MAO inhibitors (MAOIs), other authors have investigated the need for a tyramine-restricted diet (81, 84). The pressor responses to an oral tyramine challenge were compared in subjects receiving linezolid or placebo (81). The smallest dose of tyramine resulting in a systolic blood pressure (SBP) increase of at least 30 mm Hg was 100 mg in the linezolid arm (81).

Levofloxacin Interactions with Food and Herbs

People who regularly drink alcohol may have lower levels of folic acid and should use trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with caution. People should avoid red wine and tap beers when taking linezolid. They should also avoid other foods that contain tyramine, such as strong cheeses and smoked meats. As well as its antibacterial effect, linezolid reduces the action of enzymes called monoamine oxidase-A and monoamine oxidase-B. Tyramine is a substance present in tap beers and red wine, among other products. Doctors use oxazolidinones to treat abdominal, skin, lung, and urinary tract infections.

Avoid Taking Levaquin and Supplements

Azithromycin is listed in an NIH report on harmful interactions with alcohol (4). The basis for this recommendation is unclear, as published findings do not identify an interaction. The efficacy of azithromycin was unaffected by alcohol, as survival rates were similar in both alcohol-fed rats and control groups in the pneumococcal pneumonia rat model (13). Toxicity data are limited to a single case that cannot be clearly attributed to the combination of ciprofloxacin and alcohol. Alcohol did not affect the efficacy of ceftriaxone in a pneumonia model; survival rates were similar in alcohol-fed and control rats (13).

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To our knowledge, there are no data available on the PK/PD or efficacy of nitrofurantoin. To our knowledge, there are no data available on the efficacy the heroin detoxification process of minocycline. Penicillins and cephalosporins are the major beta-lactam antibiotics and have an expansive range of clinical applications.

An observational study of 55 alcoholics with TB found that mild liver impairment in alcoholics is not a contraindication for treatment with ethionamide (114). Of the 55 patients in that study, 30 received ethionamide and three patients developed parenchymal liver damage. Two of these cases may have been related to the concurrent use of pyrazinamide (114). The MTDT ring increases its elimination half-life and serum protein binding (19). Twenty (25.6%) of the reactions occurred in patients receiving ceftriaxone.

1. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
2. As these compounds are chemically related, the occurrence of a disulfiram-like reaction with TMP-SMX seems mechanistically plausible.
3. Rarely, more severe reactions may include abnormal heart rhythm, heart attack, heart failure, unconsciousness, convulsions, and even death.
4. You should refer to the prescribing information for levofloxacin for a complete list of interactions.

This article discusses the risks of mixing antibiotics and alcohol. It also explores the effects of alcohol on the immune system. Antibiotics are drugs that target bacteria to treat and prevent infections. Although some antibiotics can interact with alcohol, the risks are not the same for all types. Doctors will give different recommendations about a person’s alcohol intake depending on the type of antibiotic they prescribe.

However, drinking any amount of alcohol still poses risks to a person taking antibiotics. Avoiding alcohol entirely during treatment will help a person avoid discomfort and other more serious consequences. If you need to avoid alcohol, be sure you check all of your food and medicine labels to be sure they don’t contain alcohol. It is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you use, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbs.

If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor. This medicine is best taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Several additional glasses of water should be taken every day, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Drinking extra water will help prevent some unwanted effects of levofloxacin. Similar to supplements, Levaquin has the potential to negatively interact with a number of different medications. This can include some over the counter medications such as ibuprofen.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Levofloxacin may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally.

This medication works by stopping bacterial growth, and should be taken at the same time each day for optimal effectiveness. This group of antibiotics includes levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and fluoroquinolone, which are used for various bacterial infections. The oxazolidinone class of antibiotics, including linezolid and tedizolid, are typically used in the treatment of resistant Gram-positive infections (80). Alcohol intake has been reported to diminish the antimicrobial effect of doxycycline. Data are limited regarding the adverse effects of concomitant use of FQs and alcohol. One case report documents a 46-year-old male who developed erythema multiforme while receiving ciprofloxacin after consuming alcohol (25).

Isoniazid is used for the treatment of tuberculosis and nontuberculosis mycobacterial infections (98). Rifamycins may cause hepatotoxicity; however, this does not preclude use with alcohol without preexisting alcohol definition formula and facts LFT elevations when appropriate monitoring can be performed. Per package labeling, alcohol did not affect alcohol dehydrogenase in in vitro studies and may be concurrently consumed with secnidazole (73).

Reactions can range in severity; one patient required admission to the intensive care unit (97). This patient reportedly experienced symptoms following consumption of 500 mg of griseofulvin and a single can of beer. It should also be noted that the FDA and the NIH do not list fluconazole as having an interaction with alcohol (4, 5). Alcohol did not impact the PK of ceftriaxone in a rat pneumonia model (13).

According to a 2020 review, consuming penicillin and alcohol likely won’t produce side effects for most people. However, while alcohol appears to slow the rate of penicillin absorption it does not prevent how much of the drug is ultimately absorbed. However, potential consequences can range from mild to severe and even life-threatening if alcohol and certain antibiotics are used simultaneously. acute and chronic effects of cocaine on cardiovascular health pmc Despite an FDA warning, we were unable to identify published data that demonstrate an increased risk with concomitant ethambutol and alcohol use. Levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and trovafloxacin had improved efficacy in alcohol-fed rats compared to alcohol-free rats (24). All antibiotics were equally effective at improving survival and had improved efficacy in alcohol-fed rats.

But that likely depends on your age, overall health, and the type of drug you’re taking. Combining these antibiotics and alcohol can cause a potentially dangerous reaction. Doctors recommend avoiding alcohol while taking a number of drugs. Disulfiram-like reaction which may include abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches, flushing, sweating, fast heart rate or more severe reactions. If you choose to drink alcohol while taking an antibiotic, check on the safety with your doctor or pharmacist first. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.