Myth Buster: Consuming Alcohol Makes Antibiotics Less Effective

MYTH: Consuming alcohol makes antibiotics less effective.

FACTS: It depends on the antibiotic. Alcohol does not decrease the effectiveness of most antibiotics. But it does for some, and if you combine alcohol with one of these drugs—such as doxycycline, a member of the tetracycline group—you may need a higher dosage or a longer course.

A greater risk of mixing antibiotics and alcohol is increasing the intensity of side effects—such as stomach upset, dizziness and drowsiness.

“If you are taking antibiotics, it is better to refrain from drinking to be on the safe side,” says Sam Zakhari, director of the Division of Metabolism and Health Effects at the National Institutes of Health.