Is it true that drinking alcohol with antibiotics will stop them from working?

If you’ve ever heard that drinking alcohol with antibiotics will cancel them out, that’s wrong...

According to James M. Stekelberg, MD, alcohol does not necessarily reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics; however, he strongly recommends you avoid alcohol while taking them. The truth is, alcohol can increase the potential side effects of antibiotics. Those could range from stomach upset, dizziness and drowsiness to more severe reactions such as headache, vomiting and rapid heart rate.

Drinking alcohol also can also reduce your energy levels and delay your recovery from the illness. Keep in mind that many cold remedies and mouthwashes also contain alcohol and you’d be better off avoiding those while taking antibiotics.