FT266

The myth

You mustn’t drink alcohol while you’re on antibiotics. If you do, you’ll get ill, or the antis won’t work, or both.


The "truth"

In general, there is no reason at all to give up booze while on a course of antibiotics. Check with your pharmacist before heading for the off-license, because there are a few, specific antis which could cause side effects if mixed with alcohol. But the widespread advice to avoid the cocktail at all times has no basis whatsoever in pharmacology. Some medical historians suggest an intriguing origin for this myth. In the early days of penicillin being used to treat VD, doctors – especially those attached to the armed forces – spotted a perfect opportunity to limit the harm done to their patients by excessive drinking, if only for the duration of the antibiotic course. At the same time, keeping the patient sober might just prevent him from passing on his infection before the drugs took effect. In other words, the “don’t drink” mythconception may have its origins in deliberate misinformation, motivated by a pragmatic approach to preventative medicine.


Sources

"We expose the truth behind those age-old health myths", Daily Mail, 13 May 2009
"Medical Myths", ABC
"Can I drink alcohol while taking antibiotics?", NHS, 8 August 2008


Disclaimer

It’s a pretty good rule in life not to base important decisions concerning medical matters on things you read in magazine columns, no matter how nicely illustrated. Corrections, and add­itions, to any of the above should be written illegibly in Latin and sent to the letters page.