Good news and myth busting

[Spacecadet]

I started a course of Antibiotics on Monday. Got a bit of a night out on Wednesday so was concerned about not being able to drink.
Checked the leaflets with the antibiotics... no warnings about not drinking.
Checked NHS direct and they say its fine.

where the hell did the no alcohol with antibiotics come from? everyone i know seems to stick to it religously!

[Old Greg]

I started a course of Antibiotics on Monday. Got a bit of a night out on Wednesday so was concerned about not being able to drink.
Checked the leaflets with the antibiotics... no warnings about not drinking.
Checked NHS direct and they say its fine.

where the hell did the no alcohol with antibiotics come from? everyone i know seems to stick to it religously!

Depends on the antibiotic, I think.

[vetran]

The antibiotics for infections 'down there' were specifically designed to be impervious to alchohol

[Bagpuss]

I started a course of Antibiotics on Monday. Got a bit of a night out on Wednesday so was concerned about not being able to drink.
Checked the leaflets with the antibiotics... no warnings about not drinking.
Checked NHS direct and they say its fine.

where the hell did the no alcohol with antibiotics come from? everyone i know seems to stick to it religously!

It is still true in some cases, and even when no side effects it does say drinking in 'moderation', which by current definitions is probably 2 pints or a glass or two of wine. Side effects happen in very small numbers of the population anyway, so it's largely the drug manufacturers protecting themselves (or the less cynical might say protecting the public)

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles...?articleId=871

[r0bly0ns]

My GP once told me that it was a myth based on the fact that Alcohol *may* slightly reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics but that's all.

[lilelvis2000]

You were at least prudent to check!

[Old Greg]

Just asked the doctor sat opposite me. One or two antibiotics - you should absolutely avoid alcohol. Otherwise, the effect of alcohol on the liver may depress the metabolisation of the antibiotic and hence its efficacy.

[Spartacus]

It is still true in some cases, and even when no side effects it does say drinking in 'moderation', which by current definitions is probably 2 pints or a glass or two of wine.

You're out of touch, Baggy. More than four units in one sitting (and for anything other than the pissiest beer two pints is 4-5 units at least) is classed by the government as a binge.

And they wonder why no one takes them seriously.

Mind you, the government is based in the soft southern parts of the country so maybe a couple of swifties after work is all they can handle?

[xoggoth]

If you drink enough alcohol you don't need antibiotics.

[The Lone Gunman]

You're out of touch, Baggy. More than four units in one sitting (and for anything other than the pissiest beer two pints is 4-5 units at least) is classed by the government as a binge.

And they wonder why no one takes them seriously.

Mind you, the government is based in the soft southern parts of the country so maybe a couple of swifties after work is all they can handle?

I keep tellin yer, it's only binge drinking if you stop!