Doxycycline and Alcohol: Is it Safe?

Doxycycline is an antibiotic used to treat several infections, including those affecting the chest, teeth, skin, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like chlamydia.

In this article, we explore whether it is safe to take doxycycline and alcohol together, what might happen if you do, and the potential side effects.

No, it is generally recommended that you avoid drinking alcohol while taking doxycycline. That’s because alcohol can make the antibiotic less effective, especially if you:

• drink excessively
• have a history of chronic alcoholism
• have liver problems

If you do not fall into these categories, then it may be safe to have the occasional alcoholic drink while taking doxycycline without lowering its effectiveness. However, it’s best to avoid alcohol until your infection has completely gone away.

Drinking alcohol while taking doxycycline can lower its effectiveness and potentially increase the chance of side effects. Although a small amount of alcohol may not cause serious issues, heavy or chronic drinking can impact the body’s ability to fight infection, meaning it may take longer for your body to recover from chlamydia (or any other infection you’re taking it for).

If you are a heavy drinker or have liver problems, mixing alcohol with doxycycline can make it less effective and delay the time it takes to clear the infection from your body. Drinking alcohol and taking doxycycline together may cause the following side effects:

• dizziness
• drowsiness
• feeling sick (nausea)
• being sick (vomiting)
• headache
• fast heartbeat
• stomach problems

Having an occasional alcoholic drink if you have no history of chronic alcohol consumption or liver issues is unlikely to cause these side effects. However, it’s best to avoid alcohol until the infection has cleared up because there is evidence to suggest that alcohol can impact your immune function.

Alongside alcohol, there are several medications you should avoid while taking doxycycline. They are:

• penicillin (another antibiotic)
• methoxyflurane (an anaesthetic)

Some medications can make doxycycline less effective, such as:

• antacids
• iron preparations
• oral zinc
• bismuth
• carbamazepine
• phenytoin
• barbiturates

Doxycycline can also impact the effectiveness of some other medications. These include:

• blood-clotting drugs like warfarin
• oral contraceptive pill
• antacids containing calcium, aluminium, or magnesium
• iron preparations
• zinc preparations
• bismuth salts
• carbamazepine, phenytoin, or any barbiturates
• ciclosporin
• anaesthetics

It is important that you let your doctor know about any prescribed, over-the-counter, and herbal medications before taking doxycycline.

Doxycycline is also not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Doxycycline is a common and effective antibiotic used to treat several infections, including chlamydia. Many people wonder if they can drink alcohol while taking doxycycline.

The general recommendation is that it is best to avoid or minimise your alcohol intake while taking doxycycline to maximise its effectiveness and limit the chance of side effects, especially if you have chronic alcoholism or liver problems.

Can I drink 24 hours after taking doxycycline?

Ideally, you should wait 48 hours after you stop taking doxycycline to reduce the chance of side effects because it takes 16 to 22 hours for the doxycycline in your body to reduce by half.

What if I accidentally drank while on doxycycline?

A small amount of alcohol while taking doxycycline is unlikely to cause major side effects, but it is generally recommended that you avoid alcohol while you take it. Heavy or chronic drinking can reduce the effectiveness of doxycycline and potentially worsen any side effects. If you have accidentally drunk some alcohol while taking doxycycline, it’s best to avoid drinking any further, stay hydrated, and monitor for any side effects. If you are concerned, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Are there antibiotics that are safer with alcohol?

Yes, azithromycin is another type of antibiotic for chlamydia that can be taken with moderate alcohol intake. Azithromycin is usually not recommended for chlamydia as it’s less effective, so if you can avoid alcohol while having treatment, it’s best to take doxycycline.

If you experience dizziness, it’s best to avoid alcohol while on azithromycin too, or it can make your side effects worse.