Drinking wine after taking Flagyl, an antibiotic whose generic name is metronidazole, can cause severe reactions. This antimicrobial medication, which is used to treat infections caused by bacteria or parasites, interacts with alcohol and should not be taken before or after drinking an alcoholic beverage. Take Flagyl as directed by your doctor to avoid potentially dangerous food and drug interactions.
Uses
Your doctor may prescribe Flagyl for a vaginal infection, a respiratory illness, a gastrointestinal infection or a skin condition. When your doctor prescribes oral Flagyl, you may be directed to take the tablets two to three times a day for up to 10 days or more, depending on the type and severity of the infection. Follow your doctor’s prescription exactly as written until you’ve finished taking the medication. Even if your symptoms seem to disappear soon after you start taking metronidazole, the infection is not eliminated until you complete the course of antibiotics.
Interaction with Alcohol
Drinking wine or other alcoholic beverages after taking Flagyl may cause a variety of reactions, ranging from mild to life-threatening. You may have a headache, flushing of the skin, nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing, a rapid heartbeat, heart palpitations, chest pain, hyperventilation, weakness or disorientation. Serious reactions may include respiratory distress, heart attack, congestive heart failure or convulsions. A severe reaction to Flagyl and alcohol may be fatal. Clinical evidence has not confirmed that drinking alcohol with Flagyl causes adverse reactions in everyone who takes the antibiotic; however, because the safety of drinking alcohol while taking Flagyl has not been verified, Drugs.com advises that you avoid alcoholic beverages or products that contain alcohol while you are taking Flagyl in any form.
Recommendations
Drugs.com advises that you wait for three days after your last dose of metronidazole before you drink wine, beer or liquor.If you’re taking other medications that contain alcohol, such as cough syrup, ask your doctor to prescribe an alcohol-free substitute. To be on the safe side, avoid foods that contain alcohol until you’ve finished the course of antibiotics. Consult your doctor if you have doubts any the safety of consuming specific foods, beverages or products when you're taking Flagyl. If you forget to avoid alcohol when you're taking Flagyl, seek immediate medical attention for reactions.
Additional Precautions
Metronidazole may interact with common prescription drugs, such as blood thinners, stomach medications and seizure medications. If you are pregnant, nursing or trying to get pregnant, tell your doctor before taking Flagyl. Flagyl is not recommended for women in their first three months of pregnancy. If you have liver or kidney disease, a gastrointestinal disease, a seizure disorder or a blood condition like anemia, you may need additional monitoring while you’re taking metronidazole. Flagyl may cause sensitivity to sunlight while you are taking the antibiotic. If you have breathing problems, hives, or swelling in your face or throat after taking metronidazole, seek emergency treatment immediately.
