From the Guidelines
You should not consume alcohol while taking Flagyl (Metronidazole) and for at least 24 hours after completing the treatment. This recommendation is based on the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as stated in the 1993 sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 1. Combining Flagyl with alcohol can cause a disulfiram-like reaction, which includes symptoms such as flushing, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and rapid heart rate. Some key points to consider when taking Flagyl include:
- Avoiding all alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and liquor, during the entire course of treatment
- Abstaining from alcohol for at least 24 hours after the last dose of Flagyl, as recommended by the CDC guidelines 1
- Being aware that even small amounts of alcohol in foods, mouthwashes, or cough medicines can trigger a disulfiram-like reaction
- Understanding that the severity of this interaction is why healthcare providers strongly emphasize alcohol avoidance during metronidazole treatment
- Contacting your healthcare provider immediately if you accidentally consume alcohol while on Flagyl.
From the FDA Drug Label
Alcoholic beverages should be avoided while taking metronidazole tablets and for at least one day afterward. Alcoholic beverages should not be consumed during metronidazole therapy and for at least one day afterward because abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and flushing may occur
No, you should not consume alcohol while taking Flagyl (Metronidazole) and for at least one day afterward, as it may cause adverse effects such as abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and flushing 2.
From the Research
Interaction between Flagyl (Metronidazole) and Alcohol
- The interaction between Flagyl (Metronidazole) and alcohol can produce a disulfiram-like reaction, resulting in the accumulation of acetaldehyde in the blood 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Acetaldehyde is hepatotoxic, cardiotoxic, and arrythmogenic, and its accumulation can lead to serious health consequences, including cardiac dysrhythmia and even death 3.
- A case study reported a 31-year-old woman who died due to cardiac dysrhythmia caused by an ethanol/metronidazole interaction, highlighting the potential severity of this reaction 3.
- The frequency and severity of disulfiram-like reactions with metronidazole are uncertain, and more research is needed to fully understand this interaction 6.
- Other antibiotics, such as cephalosporins with a methylthiotetrazole (MTT) side chain or a methylthiodioxotriazine (MTDT) ring, ketoconazole, and griseofulvin, also have an increased risk of a disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol 6.
Precautions and Recommendations
- Patients taking Flagyl (Metronidazole) should be aware of the potential risks of consuming alcohol and should be advised to avoid or limit alcohol consumption during treatment 4, 5.
- The decision to use metronidazole should be made after considering the potential benefits and risks, including the risk of disulfiram-like reactions with alcohol 4.
- Healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential interactions between metronidazole and alcohol and should provide guidance to patients on safe alcohol consumption during treatment 6.