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Will alcohol consumption during antibiotic therapy affect the recovery?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At March 30, 2024
Reviewed AtMarch 30, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I recently tested positive for chlamydia and was prescribed Azithromycin and Doxycycline. The first night after taking 1000mg of Azithromycin and 100mg of Doxycycline I went out with my friends and had four to five drinks. I am curious if the alcohol will have an effect on my recovery and if I can drink alcohol while taking the medicine. Should I be worried? Kindly suggest.

Thank you.

Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

It is suggested not to consume alcohol when you are on antibiotics. So, It is better not to take alcohol till you complete the antibiotics.I would like to know the following:

  1. What type of alcohol did you consume?
  2. How many days should you take antibiotics?

Please reply me answers of above asked questions so that I can guide you better.Thank you.

Patient's Query

Yes It was on my very first day of antibiotics, I would say around 4-5 shots of whiskey. (about an hour or two after I took the Azithromycin and Doxycycline for the first time) I also have more questions. 1) I have thrown up my breakfast twice after taking the medicine, I take 100mg at 7am and 7pm. This morning I threw up my protein shake at around 7:55. Also My girlfriend has Thrown up shortly after taking the medicine aswell. Is this normal? Is it still working? 2) I have avoided dairy 2 hours before and 2 hours after taking the medicine because of what I have read online does that seem correct? I have also avoided laying down for 30 after taking the medicine. Are these also procedures I should be continuing? 3) When is a safe time to have sex again after finishing the cycle of medicine? Can it happen earlier if its with a condom? Ive heard 1-2 weeks after the medicine cycle. 4) How long after taking the medicine should I get tested for chlamydia again? Ive hear a wide range of answers from 2 weeks to 6 months and I'm not sure what the right length of time is. 5) How long after the medicine should I be ok to Drink alcohol again? 48 hours? 6) Can I use nicotine products? does that effect how the medicine works? 7) When tested It said It had been detected but "out of range" what does that mean? I don't think I have any symptoms besides possible discharge. I think that is all for right now, thank you so much for your help. I am very ill-informed on the situation and this is very helpful.
Thanks for your follow up question on icliniq. I can understand your concern. Vomiting is mostly due to gastritis caused by antibodies plus whiskey. This is likely. So don't drink alcohol when you are on antibiotics. You can start alcohol after 3 days of completion of antibiotics course. About sex, you can do sex after 1 month of declared cure, you as well as your partner. Does your partner also take the same treatment? Did she also drink alcohol and then she had vomiting? Avoid nicotine when you are on antibiotics. You can take after 1 week of completion of antibiotics. About which report you are talking, "out of range"?? Nicotine?? Blood reports or urine report? Please reply me answers of above asked questions so that I can guide you better. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar
Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar

Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)

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