When you’re handed a course of antibiotics like trimethoprim, especially for something uncomfortable such as an infection, it is natural to have questions about what taking the medication might mean for you.
In fact, a lot of people might wonder whether or not they might be able to consume alcohol whilst on their newly prescribed medication.
Unfortunately, when it comes to medication such as Trimethoprim, there is a lot of mixed information and messages online.
Whilst some people insist that consuming a small glass of wine won’t hurt, some others warn you that even a small amount of alcohol could cause unpleasant symptoms.
In this article, we will aim to set the record straight and cut through the misinformation.
We will look at the evidence and explain what you should know before reaching for a drink while consuming a medication such as trimethoprim.
Trimethoprim is a type of antibiotic that is commonly prescribed to treat and prevent infections such as urinary tract infections (UTIs).
It works by interfering with the bacteria’s ability to multiply and survive in certain conditions. As a result, this helps your immune system to clear the infection over time.
In fact, in most cases, people start to feel better within just a few days of starting their course of Trimethoprim.
However, like all antibiotic’s, consuming Trimethoprim does bring with it a number of side effects. This might include a number of different mild reactions, such as a rash, nausea, dizziness or headaches.
Unfortunately, these are all commonly reported by most people who consume trimethoprim. Nevertheless, most of these side effects are simply only temporary and resolve after the course of medication is finished.
Trimethoprim is commonly prescribed for infections. This can range from anything from a urinary tract infection (UTI) to a bladder or kidney infection.
It is also used to treat certain chest infections such as acute bronchitis or pneumonia. In some other cases, trimethoprim is used to treat things such as acne if nothing else is working.
Likewise, trimethoprim has been known to be used as a treatment for common infections experienced by people addicted to heroin and other addictive substances.
It is important to understand that most adults and children are able to take trimethoprim. However, it is important to understand that trimethoprim is not suitable for everyone.
For example, you should avoid taking trimethoprim altogether or simply use caution if you have low folate levels, have kidney or liver problems, or have certain blood disorders such as anaemia or porphyria.
Likewise, you should also avoid taking trimethoprim if you are currently pregnant or are trying to get pregnant or if you are currently breastfeeding.
If you are unsure whether or not you should be taking trimethoprim, then you should always check with a medical professional such as a doctor or a pharmacist.
This is why it is always important to tell your doctor or pharmacist about any conditions you may have before you start treatment, and always follow the instructions given to you when you are prescribed the medication in the first place.
It is a common belief that you shouldn’t mix alcohol and antibiotics. In fact, most doctors will advise this when they prescribe the medication in the first place.
It is important to understand that this depends on the specific medicine that you have been prescribed.
This is because some antibiotics won’t cause much of a reaction, whereas other medications such as metronidazole or tinidazole have well-known nasty symptoms and side effects with alcohol that can cause a number of side effects including flushing, nausea, vomiting and heart palpitations.
For many antibiotics, moderate alcohol doesn’t necessarily interfere with how the medicine works.
However, it is important to understand that doing so can make the side effects worse, especially the symptoms that might overlap with alcohol’s effects, such as sickness, nausea, confusion, dizziness and fatigue.
According to a study carried out by the UK’s National Health Service, you can drink alcohol while taking trimethoprim [1]. This is important to understand because NHS advice is based on the specific interaction profile of the drug.
Unlike antibiotics that cause severe reactions when consumed with alcohol, trimethoprim does not appear to have a direct, dangerous interaction when taken with moderate amounts of alcohol.
However, that does not mean that drinking alcohol whilst consuming antibiotics are a great combination. It just means that from a strictly medical safety point of view, a drink isn’t automatically forbidden when taking trimethoprim.
While NHS advice is clear, other medical studies and drug information databases highlight that you should take more caution combining trimethoprim with another antibiotic called sulfamethoxazole.
This is a different type of antibiotic, and the numerous studies and research suggests that combining these two types of antibiotics along with alcohol in a negative way.
Symptoms of doing so might cause a reaction leading to flushing of the skin, a fast heartbeat, sickness, nausea or being sick as well as experiencing mild to severe headaches.
However, these above reactions are less common and are most often associated with the combination drug, rather than consuming trimethoprim alone with alcohol [3].
This is why it is incredibly important to check with a medical professional before consuming any antibiotic and especially when combining antibiotics with alcohol.
As with any type of medication, there are a number of side effects associated with consuming trimethoprim. In fact, the most common side effects of this type of medication are listed below for you.
In addition to the above common side effects, there are also a number of more severe and less common side effects, some of which are listed below for you [2, 3].
If you experience any of these above, serious side effects, then you should call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
It is important to understand that if you experience any side effects when taking trimethoprim, including those not listed above, then you are encouraged to report them via the Yellow Card Scheme or contact your doctor immediately [2].
If you decide to have a drink while on trimethoprim or another type of antibiotic which the doctor has confirmed that you are able to consume alcohol alongside, then here is a practical, harm-reduction approach with useful tips and tricks.
If you want to finish your course of antibiotics as recommended, then you might choose to wait until treatment is finished before consuming alcohol. Doing so is a good idea, as it gives your body a chance to clear the infection without any of the added stress that consuming alcohol involves, including the dreaded hangover.
It is important to understand and remember how important drinking in moderation is, especially if you are already poorly or consuming antibiotics. For example, a single drink is less likely to cause significant warming than heavy drinking. It is also important to remember that sensitivity varies from person to person, so what might have an impact on you might not have as much of an impact on someone else, and vice versa.
If you do choose to drink alcohol whilst on medication such as trimethoprim, then you should always make sure that you also drink plenty of water whilst doing so. This is because alcohol is dehydrating, and when your body is already fighting an infection, then hydration plays a big role in how you feel. Try to drink at least 2 litres of water every day.
If you are unsure about whether or not you should be consuming alcohol with the medication that you have been prescribed, even if you’re on painkillers or even the contraceptive pill, then always ask a local pharmacist or doctor, who will be able to give you professional, detailed and tailored advice for you and your specific circumstance and needs.
When it comes to drinking alcohol whilst on medication, it is always best to ask a medical professional for advice and support. Whilst some people will tell you that consuming alcohol will not harm you, others will warn against it altogether.
When it comes to antibiotics specifically, the safest course of action is to be well-informed, cautious and guided by solid evidence from medical professionals.
If you are hoping to consume alcohol whilst on trimethoprim, then you will be pleased to know that trimethoprim is one of the antibiotics that doesn’t have a strictly dangerous interaction with moderate alcohol according to NHS guidance.
Whilst the NHS guidelines when it comes to trimethoprim are clear, it is really important to understand that consuming alcohol whilst taking trimethoprim can still worsen your side effects and slow down your recovery from the infection that you are fighting.
As with any type of infection, your immune system is working really hard to help you to recover and give you the best possible chance to beat the infection and illness.
To help support your immune system, you should be doing your bit by staying hydrated, well rested and clear minded.
[1] https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/trimethoprim/about-trimethoprim/
[2] https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/
[3] https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/antibiotics/interactions/
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
