Moderate Alcohol and Anti-biotics and Prostate Meds

[FACTOR]

Is it ok to drink a moderate amount of alcohol with antibiotics (levofloxacin) and with enlarged prostate treatment meds, e.g. tamsulosin or dutastride?

My doc told me to lay off the alcohol while taking antibiotics (one month course) and I'm following his advice, but I might have to take the prostate meds a lot longer, and I really would like to have a couple of glasses of wine or couple of beers 3 or 4 nights a week when I come off the antibiotics in another couple of weeks.

I've read on some pretty reputable websites that there are no known interactions with alcohol and the prostate meds. Regarding antibiotics, I read that alcohol actually does not reduce the effectiveness of the antibiotic. The real problem is that the antibiotic might make one dizzy or drowsy so drinking alcohol might exacerbate those side effects. I don't think that will be a big problem as I only want to consume a moderate amount of wine or beer usually at night at home when it doesn't really matter if I get dizzy or drowsy. I'll just fall into bed and snuggle up with my lovely wife.

Bottom line: Is it ok to drink a moderate amount of beer or wine with these meds?

I'd appreciate some informed advice. Sheryl? Are you there? Others? Is there a doctor in the house?

Thank you.

[robblok]

I think you should stay of the booze, while on antibiotics. As far as I know they are bad for your liver and if you then start to drink alcohol too your straining your liver even more.

I could be wrong just wait for other advice.

[jeanpierre]

antibiotics no drink

tamsulosin i take it for 5 years now alcohol moderated max 5 glasses beer or wine no problems

Edited May 31, 2014 by jeanpierre

[arjunadawn]

Alcohol and AB= standard refrain avoid drinking. Why, if there's little research and anecdotes to indicate a problem? I'm pretty sure it stems from metronidazole and alcohol intake, for which conflict does exist. Metronidazole is more a antihelminth Rx but it's used as anti parasitic, and in some cases antibacterial too!

For the above AB there's a known risk with alcohol intake.

Your stating "a few drinks, maybe little buzz, evenings" while taking your AB Rx... I've prescribed these meds for years in military with no side effects- and most drank at times. Just be an adult and use big boy judgement. keep in mind alcohol will make you pee more, and since over all water intake is marginal, urine tends to be concentrated good luck

Edited May 31, 2014 by arjunadawn

[JesseFrank]

Only few antibiotics react negatively with alcohol.

Monday’s medical myth: you can’t mix antibiotics with alcohol

http://theconversation.com/mondays-medical-myth-you-cant-mix-antibiotics-with-alcohol-4407

Can you mix antibiotics and alcohol?

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20130917-truth-about-drink-and-antibiotics

[FACTOR]

antibiotics no drink

tamsulosin i take it for 5 years now alcohol moderated max 5 glasses beer or wine no problems

Thanks, Jeanpierre,

Yes, antibiotics for a few weeks and no alcohol -- I can do that. I like to clean myself out every now and then anyway.

Good to hear you take tamsulosin for five years and drink moderately and no problems. That's encouraging.

By the way, how's the tamsulosin working after five years? Any reduction in gland size? I'm a newbie with this treatment.

[FACTOR]

Alcohol and AB= standard refrain avoid drinking. Why, if there's little research and anecdotes to indicate a problem? I'm pretty sure it stems from metronidazole and alcohol intake, for which conflict does exist. Metronidazole is more a antihelminth Rx but it's used as anti parasitic, and in some cases antibacterial too!

For the above AB there's a known risk with alcohol intake.

Your stating "a few drinks, maybe little buzz, evenings" while taking your AB Rx... I've prescribed these meds for years in military with no side effects- and most drank at times. Just be an adult and use big boy judgement. keep in mind alcohol will make you pee more, and since over all water intake is marginal, urine tends to be concentrated good luck

Thanks, arjunadawn, You said: "I've prescribed these meds for years in military with no side effects" Coming from a military doc, that's encouraging. Yeah, I also read in my amateur internet research that alcohol and metronidazole is a definite no-no.

[robblok]

Seems I was wrong I thought it had something to do with the liver. Never to old to learn.

[FACTOR]

Seems I was wrong I thought it had something to do with the liver. Never to old to learn.

Good news, though, isn't it? I'm learning too.

[Tolley]

Alcohol is not good for an enlarged prostate so I wouldn't be drinking too often if I had this condition. Beer is especially bad but any alcohol only makes an enlarged prostate worse.

[robblok]

Seems I was wrong I thought it had something to do with the liver. Never to old to learn.

Good news, though, isn't it? I'm learning too.

I could not really care, I don't need alcohol like many people here. Does not mean I am a saint or so just don't need it. Seems for some people (general not aimed at you) their life is in ruins if they can't go out and drink. You should see the posts when its a "dry" day.

But its good to know, as I always thought that antibiotics were bad for your liver. Don't know where i got that information, after this info was posted I went looking but could not find a thing about it. So I am wondering why, maybe because they said don't drink and take it as I know alcohol is bad for the liver, so I just assumed it would double the damage to my liver.

[Issangeorge]

25 years ago when I lived on Koh Samui I had a doctor who always told me not to drink when I took antibiotics. One day he was closed so I went to another doctor and just for fun after he prescribed antibiotics I asked if I could drink. He said, "alcohol no problem" I asked why the other doctor said I couldn't drink, he said, "he was old school, with the new antibiotics drinking isn't a problem". The funny thing was this doctor was a good 15 years older than the "old school" doctor.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 6 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Edited June 1, 2014 by Issangeorge