anti biotics

[chazza]

I know you are advised not to drink alcohol while on them because it will stop them working as well, but how soon after finishing a course should i be ok to have a drink?  I am due to finish a course on friday, would i be ok to drink on the friday night?  or saturday night?

[Lisax]

whats the name of the medication and i will let you know x

[chazza]

The pack is cut and i can only see half the name - it starts with Trimethop...

[Lisax]

will let you know in 5 mins x

[Lisax]

just asked the dr i work for and she said she would advise you not to drink till at least the saturday.

sorry x

[chazza]

thanks!  i can wait!

[nfn]

trimethoprim is a broad based antibitotic.  the only reason people are told  not to drink alcohol is because it can reduce the effectiveness.  The effects of an antibiotic are removed from your system 24 hours at most after the last dose

[PringlesQueen]

Not quite strictly true Nfn.
Mixing alcohol with certain antibiotics can have nasty side effects.
By mixing alcohol with a common antibiotic called metronidazole you can be at risk of having a nasty metallic taste in your mouth or even vomiting. This is the reason it will state on the label of your metronidazole 'Warning. Avoid alcoholic drink'.

If in doubt, always ask your local friendly pharmacist.

[nfn]

squsalminney I aplogise.  I was refering to broad based antibiotics, eg cefalexin.  As I am sure you will agree the general rule of thumb is that antibiotics  are reduced in their effectiveness by the consuption of alcohol but in general have no otherwise distrubing side effects (unless alcohol is consumed in excess)