Flagyl and Alcohol -Don’t Mix!

Posted by Nova Simpson, Pharm.D.
October 9, 2009

Here is a video about the interaction between Flagyl (metronidazole) and alcohol…

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Antibiotics, Drug Interactions, Latest News, Nausea and Vomiting

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Comments

Thanks, Nova.

I was wondering this Sunday whether to receive Holy Communion or not while on Flagyl (we use both wine and bread in our religious service). Even though it would only be about 1/2 tsp. of wine, after watching your video, and your advice not to take “even a sippy sip” of alcohol, I’ve decided to hold off receiving Communion until 48 hours after I’m off the Flagyl. Your video was invaluable to me. Even physicians sort of smirked at the idea of my questioning whether or not to receive Communion, two advised that such a small amount of wine would not hurt at all. But, after watching your video, I decided to be very cautious. Thank you so much, Deborah

Comment by Deborah on May 1, 2010 @ 5:34 pm

Hi Deborah,

Thanks for the comment! The odds are that you would have been okay – but I wouldn’t have risked it either.

Take care and if you have any other questions or comments, we would love to hear them!

Nova

Comment by Nova Simpson, Pharm.D. on May 2, 2010 @ 11:28 am

I have been advised by my naturopath to take 20 drops of milk thistle tincture while I take Flagyl, as a precaution, in order to support or protect my liver, which is healthy. The tincture would have a tiny bit of alcohol. Would you recommend staying away from that small amount of alcohol?
Hilda

Comment by Hilda on May 5, 2010 @ 6:40 pm

Hi Hilda,

Thank you for the comment!

So we actually have two things going on here. First off, your question about taking a tincture with Flagyl. I recommend avoiding all alcohol (even tinctures) when taking Flagyl. Although not everyone suffers from the disulfurim reaction (projectile vomiting and feeling horrible), the risk is there.

Secondly, when milk thistle is taken with Flagyl it increases the clearance of Flagyl -this means that your body would not get the full dose of Flagyl.

One last thing -Flagyl is usually okay with the liver…did your naturopath say why she was concerned?

Thanks again for your comment/question. I would love to hear back!

Take care,
Nova

Comment by Nova Simpson, Pharm.D. on May 6, 2010 @ 8:27 am
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