When someone is prescribed antibiotics, one of the most common questions people tend to ask is whether or not they are still able to drink alcohol while taking their medication.
If you have recently been prescribed co-amoxiclav, then the chances are that you have recently been diagnosed with a bacterial infection, including a chest infection, a UTI, a skin infection or even a dental infection.
If this is the case, then you should avoid consuming alcohol where possible.
In this blog, we will explore what type of medication co-amoxiclav is, how it affects your body, whether or not you should be drinking alcohol whilst taking it and why those individuals in a medical detox, rehab treatment, or struggling with addiction should be particularly cautious when taking this type of medication.
Co-amoxiclav is also known by the brand name Augmentin and is a widely prescribed antibiotic that is used to treat a number of different bacterial infections.
This type of antibiotic combines amoxicillin with clavulanic acid to improve its effectiveness against bacterial infections [1].
This type of medication is commonly used for a number of infections including some of those listed below for you:
Most courses of this type of medication usually last between just 5 and 14 days. It is important to complete the full course as directed by your medical professional or doctor, even if your symptoms improve early on or after just a few days [1].
For those undergoing treatment for an addiction issue, antibiotics such as co-amoxiclav are often prescribed due to weakened immune systems or complications that are linked to substance abuse.
It is important to note that there is no direct, dangerous interaction between alcohol and co-amoxiclav. The NHS even states that there is no specific warning against drinking alcohol when taking co-amoxiclav.
However, it is also important to understand that that does not mean that drinking alcohol whilst taking it is a good idea. There are a number of reasons why this is the case, which we will discuss further below.
Even though combining this type of medication with alcohol is not strictly prohibited when recovering an illness or from an addiction, alcohol can still negatively affect your recovery.
It is important to remember that Co-amoxiclav commonly causes nausea, sickness and vomiting, diarrhoea, psychosis and fatigue [2]. Drinking alcohol will likely intensify these symptoms, making you feel significantly worse than you already do.
If you are already feeling unwell, then adding alcohol into the mix may increase your illness and discomfort and delay improvement and recovery.
Naturally, both alcohol and co-amoxiclav are processed by the liver. Drinking heavily while taking this antibiotic may increase the risk of liver issues and related side effects.
For individuals with a history of addiction issues, especially when it comes to alcohol, this is concerning.
As we all know, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can weaken your immune system and interfere with your body’s ability to repair. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can slow down your body’s ability to recover as it should and will mean that you feel more poorly for longer.
When it comes to an addiction recovery and treatment setting, where physical healing is incredibly important, this can be particularly worrying.
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol disrupts your sleep patterns and contributes to dehydration. These are both essential when it comes to recovering from infection. When your body is already under stress, this can prolong your illness and the associated symptoms.
Lots of people who consume co-amoxiclav wonder when it is that they will be able to start drinking alcohol again. However, advice is that you should wait until you have finished your full course of co-amoxiclav before you start consuming alcohol again.
In fact, you should ensure that your symptoms have fully resolved themselves, making sure to give your body 24 hours to adapt to not taking the medication again.
This is especially important if you are coming out of a medical detox, where stability and physical health are the priorities.
If you are undergoing rehab treatment whilst taking co-amoxiclav, then your rehab professional will advise you on when you can stop taking the antibiotics.
If you have already had a drink of alcohol while taking co-amoxiclav, then it is important not to panic. In most cases, there are no serious, immediate consequences to doing this and the antibiotic will still be able to work.
Nevertheless, you might start to notice a sickly feeling, stomach issues or increase feelings of dizziness or fatigue. If your symptoms worsen significantly after consuming alcohol, then it is best to speak with your local GP as soon as you can.
Instead of drinking alcohol, you could start to focus on drinking something that might support your recovery.
For example, you should start by drinking at least two litres of water a day, and potentially even drinking some fruits and smoothies that will aid your immune system. Orange juice with vitamin C is particularly great for this.
Alongside drinking other alternatives, you should try to eat three healthy meals a day, get at least eight hours of sleep and avoid smoking or consuming other addictive substances whilst your recovery is in progress.
If you or a loved one is suffering from any type of addiction, including an alcohol addiction, then it is important to seek professional help as early on as possible.
There are a number of signs and symptoms that your drinking has gotten out of control, some of which are listed below for you:
Attending a structured rehab programme, whether it be inpatient or outpatient, can provide you with the tools needed to successfully recover. During your time in drug and alcohol rehab, you will receive a medical detox, therapy and aftercare support.
Whilst it may technically and medically be safe to drink alcohol in moderation when consuming co-amoxiclav, it is important to understand that it should be avoided where possible, especially if your body is working hard to recover from an illness, infection or even an addiction.
For those trying to recover from an addiction, the question is not just about staying safe while on antibiotics.
Instead, it is about protecting your overall health, supporting your detox, and reinforcing the progress you have made during your stay in drug and alcohol rehab.
If drinking alcohol continues to play a role in your life, despite illness or certain medications, then reaching out for professional help and support could be the most important step you take towards your recovery.
[1] https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/co-amoxiclav/about-co-amoxiclav/
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18945734/
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an advisor with more than 20 years in the field. His knowledge covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an advisor and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
