From the FDA Drug Label
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
To alleviate symptoms caused by consuming metronidazole and beer, stop drinking alcohol. The symptoms that may occur include:
- Abdominal cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Flushing No specific treatment is mentioned in the drug label to alleviate these symptoms, other than avoiding alcohol consumption during and after metronidazole therapy 1
From the Research
To alleviate symptoms from a metronidazole-alcohol interaction, there is no conclusive evidence to support a specific treatment, but stopping alcohol consumption and managing symptoms with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications may help. The symptoms experienced due to the interaction between metronidazole and alcohol are often compared to a disulfiram-like reaction, which includes nausea, vomiting, flushing, headache, and rapid heartbeat. However, a study from [2014@] [@1@] suggests that the warning against simultaneous use of alcohol and metronidazole may not be based on strong evidence, as no in-vitro studies, animal models, reports of adverse effects, or clinical studies provide convincing evidence of a disulfiram-like interaction between ethanol and metronidazole. Some key points to consider in managing these symptoms include:
- Stopping alcohol consumption immediately
- Resting until symptoms subside, which can take 24-72 hours
- Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated
- Considering small amounts of bland food if nausea permits
- Using over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen for headache, but avoiding NSAIDs like ibuprofen
- Possibly using anti-nausea medications like dimenhydrinate or ondansetron if prescribed. It's also worth noting that an older study from [1974@] 2 discusses the effects of acetaldehyde on pyridoxal phosphate synthesis and degradation in human erythrocytes, but this information is not directly relevant to the management of symptoms from a metronidazole-alcohol interaction.