Nitrofurantoin and Alcohol: Is It Safe?

If you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), you’ll likely be prescribed nitrofurantoin, the first-line antibiotic for uncomplicated UTIs like cystitis.

Although it’s generally safe and well tolerated, there are certain things to be aware of when taking it. The NHS states that you can drink alcohol in moderation when taking nitrofurantoin for cystitis. However, alcohol is a bladder irritant and may make your symptoms worse.

In this guide, we’ll explore the risks of drinking alcohol with a UTI while taking nitrofurantoin and how long you’ll need to wait before you can drink alcohol again after your treatment has finished.

Although there is no known interaction between alcohol and nitrofurantoin, it’s advised that you avoid drinking alcohol or only consume it in very small amounts.

Because nitrofurantoin is a type of antibiotic that is specifically prescribed for UTIs like cystitis, a type of bladder infection, and alcohol is a bladder irritant, alcohol can make your symptoms or side effects worse.

Alcohol can also impact your body’s ability to metabolise nitrofurantoin, reducing its effectiveness and may increase the risk of side effects such as feeling sick, dizziness, or drowsiness.

What is a recommended or safe limit of alcohol to drink while taking nitrofurantoin?

While there isn’t a recommended ‘safe limit’ for drinking alcohol while taking nitrofurantoin, it’s recommended that you should avoid or at least minimise your alcohol intake.

The NHS states that you can drink alcohol while taking nitrofurantoin and there are no contraindications in the patient leaflet to state that you cannot drink alcohol while on a course of nitrofurantoin tablets.

Although it’s possible to drink alcohol while taking nitrofurantoin, if you’d prefer to wait until your course has finished, you should wait until 72 hours after your last nitrofurantoin capsule.

If you’re taking nitrofurantoin to prevent recurrent cystitis, then avoiding or minimising alcohol intake is advisable as alcohol can increase the chance of you developing a UTI.

How long does nitrofurantoin stay in your system?

Nitrofurantoin doesn’t stay in your system for long, and is fully excreted from the body in your pee within 4 to 5 hours. This is part of the reason why it’s so effective for treating cystitis. When you take nitrofurantoin capsules, the medication is filtered out of your blood and into your kidneys and bladder, directly targeting the infection in your urinary tract.

When can you start drinking alcohol again after a course of antibiotics?

It is best to avoid drinking alcohol for at least 72 hours after finishing a course of antibiotics. However, this may be longer or shorter depending on the antibiotics you have been taking. If you are unsure, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for more advice.

Like all medications, nitrofurantoin can cause side effects, however not everyone will get them. Some of the common nitrofurantoin side effects include:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• being sick (vomiting)
• diarrhoea
• loss of appetite
• headaches
• dizziness
• sleepiness

There are no known interactions between nitrofurantoin and alcohol, but alcohol can irritate the bladder. So, drinking alcohol when you have a UTI can make your symptoms worse or make them more difficult to tolerate.

Cystitis symptoms include:

• burning or stinging sensation when you pee
• frequent urge to pee
• cloudy, dark, or strong smelling urine
• lower abdominal or pelvic pain
• feeling like you have not emptied your bladder fully
• blood in your pee

Alongside antibiotics, you can help manage cystitis symptoms at home by:

• drinking plenty of water throughout the day
• taking over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol
• avoiding irritants like fruit juice, coffee, fizzy pop, alcohol, and spicy food
• avoiding sex until you feel better
• getting rest
• peeing frequently and emptying your bladder fully
• taking natural remedies like cranberry juice, 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in water every 4 hours, or sipping lemon barley water

Nitrofurantoin is the first-line antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated UTIs like cystitis. Although the NHS states that there is no direct interaction between nitrofurantoin and alcohol, it is advisable to avoid or minimise your alcohol intake while taking nitrofurantoin to prevent worsening of your cystitis symptoms.