Metronidazole and Alcohol - how much can you have?

So antibiotics eey? The long standing tradition of not drinking while on antibiotics has come a reality this week.
In my quest to resume tradition of another booze fuelled weekend, I did a little research on this, as I originally thought that alcohol would inhibit the antibiotics, rendering them useless and therefore the course of medication is irrelevant. And the infection comes back and eats not only your healthy cells, but also your cat, TV, laptop AND drinking suit.

It appears that drinking does indeed change the effectivity of antibiotics, but not to such an extent where they stop working - the main worry is nausea, extreme vomiting and other fun effects - but it really does depends on what antibiotics you are on.

The first, err what's it called - Amoxicillin, is a penicillin based antibiotic - and is not really affected by the intake of alcohol. Drinking just after taking it isn't advised, but this is only because it can adversely affect the absorption into the stomach and digestive system - as with anything. So no actual reaction between the two.

Metronidazole however is a different kettle of fish. This can cause nausea, massive vomiting and tachycardia. So I wonder why?
It's something to do with limiting the body's ability to break down and metabolise the alcohol - by blocking the breakdown of propylene glycol in the liver. This increases the amount of propylene glycol in the blood, and can harm the liver and other fun items in the body that allow life to happen.

So it makes propylene glycol stay in my body for ages, so what does this do? Well it looks like it's used in loads of household goods, from deoderant sticks to being a moisturiser in cosmetics. It's even a safe food additive in the US (not checked other countries..) - However this method of ingestion (oral) is minimally effective, and is therefore deemed quite safe - but when propylene glycol is allowed into the bloodstream, intravenously as it were, it becomes quite dangerous.

To make use of this and try to find out how much booze I can actually consume before the propylene glycol becomes fatally toxic, I need to find out the fatal dose... for which there is no data.

Absorption rates in rats after ingestion is 90-100%, usually not building up in the body. But when breakdown is inhibited this could build up quickly.

Ingestion of a sufficient quantity can definitely cause death. 1g per KG of body weight, so say 90g of this stuff can affect the central nervous system, causing numbness, visual distortions etc.... Increase this to 3g/kg, and you get massively drunk, slurred speech and stupor/agitation mental state shifts.
Over that, you get coma, loss of reflexes and probably death.

So it's quite inconclusive unless data on how much of this stuff is held back by the body.

All of the above sounds like getting pissed anyway, but I don't think I will booze on during the course of these antibiotics. I will find out tomorrow.

Comments

Anonymous said…
So what happened? If you mixed metronidazole and alcohol, did you observe anything unusual?
Anonymous said…
Maybe he died.......
Anonymous said…
I had 1/2 beer on metronidazole, only took one 500 mg pill in the morning at like 10 am and then had half a beer at 9 pm and the only thing I noticed is I got really hot and sweat more than usual. Then I continued my 2x day regimen the next day...My friend on the other hand told me she almost dies from 1 mixed drink on flagyl! So...Probably best to stay away...
Matt said…
I didn't die! I decided to take it easy - mainly my friend Gemma convinced me not to drink on heavily. Had two pints, felt a little ill I guess after one, but I think that was just me and not the antibiotics. No unusual drunk effects...
Anonymous said…
I drank like a fish on metronidazole. I didn't notice anything really weird....I didn't drink right after taking it though, like I waited six to eight hours. Also, I never took a dose while drinking, like, I skipped that dose.

Matt, your blog on this is awesome. I always tell people they can drink on antibiotics
Anonymous said…
im sooooo scared to drink... i have been putting off many events and dates because im worried. i have a 2x a day treatment for 7 days well since i gotta wait the three days after is more like 10 days and it seems like everyone wants to get drunk now that im undergoing treatment!!
Anonymous said…
what if i took 1 500mg pill at 6pm and drank a few beers at 9 or 10 pm. I'm 6'3 170 lbs
Anonymous said…
Hi all,
I don't think excessive use of Alcohol when taking Flagel is recommended. Twenty years ago I picked up Giardia and a a few full strengths when I felt better I am 55 years old now. I didn't feel any side effects what so ever. I am back on it now due to Giardia again. The dose is 3 x 400mg per day, but I am going to up it to 4 tabs (Max dose is 4 grams) I feel too crook to have a beer and won't feel good for a couple of days (I will then try a few). Will some fact sheets say alcohol while drinking may impair Flag working properly, others say NO effect on it??????
I have taken it for 1/12 days.Cheers,
Beerzy
Anonymous said…
Hi,
I might like to add that diffent drugs affect people in different ways
cheers,
Beerzy
Toni said…
Ive been on Metronidazol for 2 days now and about an hour ago I got laid off, so... I'll be drinkin'. Im going to be drinking beer, good beer like Killians or something, and I will report back later on the experiment. Wish me luck.
Anonymous said…
yea i just started taking the stuff today but i decided i'm going to stop and wait until after st. pattys. couldn't hurt right?
Toni said…
K, so, the first day I started drinking about 7-8 hrs after taking that damn pill in the morning and it went ok. I only drank a little bit and very slowly, probably a beer and a half. I felt a bit "odd" and had a slight headache but ended up having an pretty good night. Now mind you, I am a regular drinker and beer is part of my usual diet so this may play a factor. The next day, feeling braver, I drank more. After say... 2.5 beers I did get the flushed feeling and should have stopped then as soon I began to feel ill, headache, nausea, general yuckiness. I had to go lie down and felt really bad for the rest of the night. The next day I didnt even want a beer.

Overall I'd say steer clear of drinking when on this awful med. It's toxic enough Im sure by itself and makes your booze really feel unappealing.

I read somewhere else about it bringing on severe depression in a lot of people and I experienced that as well.

Im on my last day, thank God and I'll not take it ever again.

Good luck to ya.
Anonymous said…
A person who is taking medicine will not feel it effects when he/she is also consuming alcohol, thus making antibiotics useless. The solution to an effective healing of disease is do not consume alcoholic drinks at all.
Unknown said…
I've been taking Metronizole for about five days, two more days left at two pills a day and I will be done. I didn't have anything to drink for the first three because I was a little worried about the effects. I weigh about 115 pounds and I'm a light weight with pretty much everything, but.... by the fourth day I was fed up and went out drinking, I'd say I had two or three beers and shot of vodka, it hit me hard, but I didn't throw up, overheat, or even feel nauseous. I did wait for at least 6-8 hours after taking the first pill, and made sure I had food in my stomach all day. The next day I had a couple of beers and again, I felt like I had gotten a little drunker than I usually would have, but other than that, no side effects...
Unknown said…
Also, I know that you are not supposed to drink because unpleasant side-effects can occur, but I haven't found anywhere that says it will make the medication ineffective. Side-effects, I can deal with, but I don't want to have to take it again!
Anonymous said…
Hi, Today I have had to take metronidazole.
However, I only had to take 5 x 400mg tablets all in one dose.
(Could somebody tell me if 5x 400mg in one dose is normal...or healthy for that matter of fact? Online I can only find doses of metronidazole which last 7 days just 2 have to be taken daily)
I completely forgot (this is honest) and 5 or 6 hours later had one drink.
My stomach felt uneasy, had diarrhoea, and in general felt weird.
Was feeling very flushed, and got hot and cold spells.
On the start of my second drink, I
remembered I had taken the antibiotics and stopped straight away.
Had to go home and rest. Feel nauseous still, and light headed.
Drinking whilst on this type of anti biotic is a complete NO NO!!
I have read online, in some cases people have died whilst doing this...and now i'm actually quite scared to sleep!
noroyanj said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said…
Not a good idea to drink on Metronidazole, other anti biotics are a different story. My doctor told me today that you get really sick if you drink alcohol with this, I came out of the office, got my prescription, took the first pill, then my friend told me we should go to happy hour!

So I think.. what's one beer?? So basically 2 hours after the first pill of the whole regiment I had ONE beer.

I felt nothing, came home, took a nap and its friday night so planning to go out later, but I just woke up and am so nauseous, I feel so sick, and regret not listening to my doc so much. We actually googled the effects before I ordered my drink, and knew what was coming. I was just sitting on my bathroom floor, trying to vomit.

Read about it, and actually believe it, other anti biotics don't have this effect, metronidazole as my doctor said acts like drugs that they give to alcoholocs to make them quit, that makes them extremely sick. It's a totally different side effect than with other anti-biotics.
Anonymous said…
I guess maybe I'm such an alcoholic that I didn't notice much difference. I did only take one of the pills instead of the two per day this weekend because I thought that that might make me nautious. I did feel slight pains in my uterus though. I thought that might just be the medicine though. After this weekend now over I realized that the drinking wasn't worth taking a risk on my body. I feel foolish. Oh well, I know I'll do it right next time.
Anonymous said…
I'd been hanging for a drink after 5 days on metronidazole (400mg 2x daily) .. so tonight i'm drinking, I have 2 days of the course left but thought "fuck-it" lol .. i'm now on my 5th 8% bourbon&cola and have had no nausea, headache or anything yet .. i'll let ya know if I experience any adverse affects etc :)
Anonymous said…
i'm on my 6th day and i'm gonna ride it out even though i've been dying to drink. my concern is if anyone had negative effects after they stopped taking it, within the 3 days that you aren't supposed to drink afterward. i normally drink on a regular, almost everyday basis so i'm definitely tolerant of alcohol.
Anonymous said…
I didn't read the side effects -- after about 2oz of brandy I was praying to the porcelain goddess. And this was 16 hours after using 5gms of a 0.75% vaginal gel. (perhaps that part was TMI, sorry).
Anonymous said…
DO NOT DRINK ON METRONIDIZOLE. Some people say it just stops the efficiency of the medication, but not in the case of Metronidizole.

4-5 pints over the course of a night, maybe 5 hours or so--this is about 8 hours after 1 pill, 250mg. I was also on it for about 5 days before, so it was built up in my system.

I slept well, but the next day I almost checked into the hospital. I had anxiety attacks, felt like I was out of my body and felt dizzy for about 8 hours. Drank a lot of water and stopped the medication for another day. I couldn't even think straight.
Anonymous said…
i've been on metronidazole 2x a day for 7 days now(3 more to go)..last weekend i drank 3 nights in a row..drinking heavily on the weekends is a normal thing for me though and well i was on the meds i took it a little easier only consuming up to 5 beers over 3 to six hour night and i have had no side effects..i also have a fairly strong stomach though when it comes to alchol...can't remember the last time i vomited from drinking..
Anonymous said…
I've been taking Metronidazole (250Mg 3 times/day) for the last 8 days. Last night I drank 14 beers and a shot of Watermelon Vodka... I didn't have any problems... except for a little hangover in the morning.
Anonymous said…
well i was given my full dose all in one day5 days ago so when can i drink?
Anonymous said…
I drank quite a bit and started to feel very hot and sweaty. Then my whole neck turned red and started itching really bad. I didn't take my dose that night and drank a ton of water and the symptoms eventually stopped a few hours later. The rash turned into dry skin that was rough...like a sunburn. It even peeled like a sunburn. Weird stuff.
Anonymous said…
Well - I would think medical science could create alcohol-friendly meds; popping all these pills is no walk in the park (i'm on 3 RXs... don't ask!) and a patient thus deserves a brewsky or an 80-proof shot to ease one's pain. Damn this metronidazile for separating me from my beloved Smirnoff shots!!
Anonymous said…
hi, i have a drink almost every night n alot more at the weekends. I had been taking metronidazole for a couple of days n decided it would be ok to have A drink, had a vodka n irnbru, normally i can drink bout half a bottle before i start to feel drunkish, after 1 drink i felt like i had had bout 6 so i stopped, then the nxt night i thot id be fine again so i had a couple n was ok, not great but alright lol, so last night being friday i went for 3 n i so wish i hadn't, i felt soooo sick n had to go to bed, its 06.43 at the moment, ive been up since half 4 still feeling sick n just generally no great! I had drank before on them a while back but i didnt know bout the no alcohol thing so i probably just didnt notice. Think i'll wait till ive finished the course before i have a drink again....i can totally understand now why these pills could be given to alcoholics, the sick feeling just isnt worth it! xx
Anonymous said…
Unless you're a full blown alcoholic and can't help yourself, it's really not a big deal to avoid drinking for 5 nights (or a week, or whatever course you happen to be on). With other antibiotics it's just standard advice not to drink, but metronidazole has a genuine and potentially serious interaction with alcohol which can make you quite badly ill. When people risk their health over something that's actually going to give them an experience (harder drugs) then that's one thing, but risking your health over some beers at the pub is just pointless.
Anonymous said…
Definitely not a good idea!!! I am now a believer metrodazole and alcohol dont mix just ask my stomach!!
Anonymous said…
This blog is hysterical. So now I don't feel like I'm the only one consumed by happy hour. I'm not an alcholic, I just love alcohol. I doubled up on my my last pill yesterday. Broke it in half so I took one and a half pills to finish this shit already. Felt slightly nauseous with the last dose but didn't eat a lot of food. I wasn't that hungry. Do I have to abstain from booze AND get fat? WTH? I need a drink. Wondering if it would be OK to drink tomorrow?
Anonymous said…
I wish I hadn't...I took a pill around 1pm. I am almost done with my pills (2 to go). I drank one and a half beers at around 5 today then had 2 glasses of wine between 10 and midnight. I felt gross even though I was smoking green too which probably hid the nausea at that time. I went to bed with a headache and feeling knocked out.

It is now around 6:30 am. My head feels like it is going to explode and my tummy feels icky.

Not worth drinking.
Anonymous said…
okay so all of this seems to be AFTER taking the pill, but what about drinking alcohol BEFORE the meds?? On the bottle DR. instructions say not to drink alcohol 24hrs before or 48hrs after taking med, the RX instructions on the pamphlet said 24hrs before and 24hrs after. Does anyone know if it will have the same effects taking pills after alcohol consumption??
Anonymous said…
Drinking before should be alright since the alcohol would have already metabolized (I assume). I'm on this stuff for the second time. The first I drank w/o even thinking about it and felt fine. I'm not gonna push it this time though since the infection is a lot worse (diverticulitis, it's a bitch). Strange how much I miss a good drink when it's not even an option. Normally a week w/o booze is a non-event. Now it seems as daunting as climbing Everest. Maybe cuz I'm bored. Maybe porn wil help with that...:p
Anonymous said…
I totally forgot that I was on meds and drank 2 beers. I then had lunch. Not even giving it a second thought I went about my business as usual today however about an hour after lunch I had every single symptom described herein including feeling like my heart was going to pound right out of my body.

I am feeling a bit better now but still feel nausious. How long do these effects last?

BTW... I have been metronidazole for close to a week already. I was told to take it every 8 hours for 7 days. The metro is 600mg.
Anonymous said…
Mind if I ask why everyone else is taking this awful medication that is trying to make us not drink and putting a serious damper on my social life?
You've all got me real curious as to what exactly will happen if I drink on this damned antibiotic.
Soooo, I'm off to experiment. Going to mow the lawn and drink some brew. I'll let you know what happens.
Anonymous said…
OK, I'm back guys, and I'm not dead yet. I have officially have two Sierra Nevada's and many sips off of a bottle of Ferrari Cerano Fume Blanc, and I'm feeling way drunker than I should, but that never heard anyone. In fact, I think I might stock up on this shit and drink even more. I love being a cheap date. I'm also wearing a super skanky dress. But that still didn't get my box ewaten.

By the way, I am about 5'2 and about 125 pounds, and love mushrooms, acid, and molly. All of which have zero said side effects with Metronidazole. Who said a poon infection has to get you down?!
Haley said…
anyone know how long you should wait until drinking alcohol? i've finished my dose, i skipped my last pill, about a day and a half ago..
think i'm okay?
Angela said…
This is depressing me. Looks like I shouldn't drink tonight. Not what I wanted to hear, Google! How upsetting.
Anonymous said…
Today is my first day on metronidazole. I just worked 12 hours and all I want to do is guzzle some Chardonnay. I will go home and take some Melatonin and hope it knocks me out before I reach for the bottle. Lord help me.
Anonymous said…
Wish I wouldve googles this topic prior to last night's Happy Hour. Had a beer earlier in the week while on the meds and felt queasy. Last night drank a Long Beach, 3 crown & cokes (not much on my stomach). Took the second dose before going to bed & woke up with cold and hot spells, extreme nausea & ultimately vomitted worse than I ever knew imaginable. Though I feel much better, still mild nausea and diaherea (sp?) wouldve normally had no effects from the drinking. I also advise NO drinking. I just hope I didn't mess up the effectiveness
Anonymous said…
1. I love this blog and all the comments. really funny shit.

2. i took my last 2 pills this morning, and i had a long day and have been really missing drinking alcohol over the past week, so i decided it couldn't hurt to have a beer tonight... but half way through i started to feel really light headed and my heart was beating really fast, symptoms similar to a panic attack. it didn't last long, but I'm glad I didn't drink any more.

3. now that i'm done taking all the pills, i'm wondering if anyone has any experience with drinking in the couple of days after finishing the treatment?
Anonymous said…
This is really so funny... so I am about to go out to dinner with my boyfriend, and its Saturday night of Labor Day weekend and I REALLY want to drink but the doc AND the pharmacist AND the little sticker on the bottle says "NO ALCOHOL" but I didn't ask why not cuz I didn't want them to think I couldn't handle 7 days without booze. So I search "alcohol and metronizole" thinking.. I probably won't even find much.. who knew atleast 43 people have wondered the same thing... not to mention all the people who just read this and don't comment. I wonder how many hits this blog posting gets, lol. I think I will NOT drink tonight. Thanks you to everyone for sharing their experiences :)
Anonymous said…
Hi, well I had this horrible, tooth ache that drove me up the wall. I found some metronidazol that my wife hadn't taken from a year ago, it was a three day course of 4 a day 400mg, i started them and drank that night, man i wish i hadn't, was i sick the next day, bad runny bum, throwing up and had to spend the day in bed dreaming and sweating, DON'T drink on this stuff it ain't good!!!
Frankie said…
Developed horrendous toothache 2 days ago, went to Hospital yesterday as there's no emergency dentist in this small Australian outback town and was prescribed Amoxycillin, Flagyl and Panadeine Forte.

The codeine wasn't helping the pain at all, so disregarding the enormous "NO ALCOHOL OMGWTFBBQ" alert sticker on the metronidazole packet I got stuck into some beer.

And.. nothing! Nothing horrendous happened, surprising really as upon taking my first Flagyl in the morning I'd promptly become very nauseous and thrown the lot up.

I'm on 2x Amoxy's a day, 3x Flagyl, and codeine as needed. Whilst yesterday the pain was so intense I was curled up in the foetal position, this morning I feel pretty damn normal. The dentist has put me off getting my root canal until Saturday (it's Monday today) as only poverty-stricken folk on pensions get seen first here, but she assured me that the AB's have reduced the infection and thus the pain too, so I shouldn't be experiencing the agony again.

Meanwhile... more beer. Cheers!
Anonymous said…
I am a professional when it comes to Metronidazole and KNOW for a fact that if you drink on the medication it makes you throw up! However,...hee hee hee.. I have 2 pills left 500mg and took one this morning around 7am... I am dying to have a redbull and vodka up in my hand... Grrr! Its Friday and I've waited all week! I am going to try and have one tonight around 7pm so about 12 hours after I took a pill.. I will come back and let yall know how I fare! :)
Lee~
Anonymous said…
this is the most hilarious blog i've ever read!

I am currently taking 500 mg of Metronidazole for Diverticulitis (a colon disease) and not being able to drink makes me wanna drink REALLY BAD! I'm 26 years old, 115 lbs, 5'2. i'm really petite so i've been really iffy on whether or not to experiment on myself, I doubt i'll make it through the weekend without any alcohol, haha.

found a few recent articles written in medical journals in the past few months. one did a human study with 12 people. half were given 500 mg metrinidazole, the other half a placebo. they then gave them alcohol and monitered them for 4 hours. none of them got sick.

the side effects of the metronidazole itself include nausea, vomiting, fever, etc. metronidazole makes it 5 times harder for your body to metabolize alcohol. because of this, 1 drink is like 5 drinks, 2 would be like ten, 3 would be 15 etc... my opinion is that basically it just F's you up, so you need to be careful, lol
Anonymous said…
Alright, Its 730pm and Im Kbb. I took my first dose at 1130 today and I had a terrible day. I went to take my second dose with the drink i just made and saw the No ALCOHOL!!! its Amazing how nuts you become when you are told you cant DRINK!!! so like you all, Im gonna drink my drink; 2 shots of Gin and Diet coke with it. I ate about 45 minutes ago. I will see what happens with this.
Anonymous said…
well, its 1005pm, kbb again. I have had 2 drinks, 2 shots of gin each and about to make my third, the only thing that i have noticed for me... is i became overly tired within about 10 minutes, i did get warm as if i just did 5 shots... and a crap load of belching as if i shot gunned 3 beers.... thats it for now
Anonymous said…
I am so frustrated with the fact that I cant drink with this medication. I've tried my best to work around it but I'm getting really fed up. I was supposed to take 2 pils twice daily for 7 days and right now I'm halfway through my treatement and my infection appears to have been gone for days. I have a party to go to tomorrow so I do want to have a few beers. I have 2 questions, one is does anyone think this will cause me to feel sick, by having a drink 24 hours after my last dose? Or two, is it that huge of a deal to just quit on the rest of my pills now? i know they say you're not supposed to do that with antibiotics, but honestly i'm pretty sure i'm ok now...And wit the weekedn being here then I will for sure want to be doing some more drinking!please some advice!
Gracie said…
Weird how someone was wondering the exact same thing as me at pretty much the exact same time... I took my last pill at 9am this morning. After reading up about it, you're supposed to wait 48 hours before drinking. However, I asked my chem lab teacher who majored in pharmacology, and she said that metronidazole only has a half life of 12 hours. So every 12 hours, 25% of it is out of your system, depending on the dose I guess. I have to take 2 pills daily for 7 days. Today is my 5th day. I'm skipping the last 2 days because I just can't stand sitting at home while everyone else is out having fun! I have a huge party to go to tomorrow night involving massive amounts of booze and theres no way I can't partake. From reading all these other responses, it seems like the only people who got sick were the ones who took it like 6-12 hours before drinking. From what I found out today, that's still 75% or more still in your system! That's a shitload! Hopefully 36 hours will be enough and I won't end up vomiting all over everyone and shitting myself. LOL. Damn you, metronidazole, damn you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
loveiselectric said…
I weigh 112 lbs, I'm 5'4", and I've been on Metronidazole for five days (2x500mg/day). I took a shot of vodka about an hour ago and feel fine, having taken my last dose about four hours prior. In fact, I'm about to go back for another. What I found during the Google search I used to justify tonight's alcohol consumption is that Metronidazole and Disulfiram share common properties, the latter being what alcoholics are treated with so that they associate drinking with acute pain. What I gather from this is that the booze isn't meant to literally kill you, but obviously if you take it on at full speed like any other night you risk becoming very ill. For me, I would already be on my second vodka/Diet Coke, but I have no intent of missing work tomorrow. If you play it safe and feel it out I don't think anyone need worry themselves to death. (Second shot taken... I'll post again if I experience any negative symptoms tonight)
Anonymous said…
I'm convinced these adverse reactions are purely psychological. I was on it for 4 days when I decided to drink. I took my pill on time that night (an hour after I had my first drink). I was completely fine all night. I was drinking 100 proof Cap'n & coke before I went out and then just regular cap'n & coke at the bar. I had about 1/4 of the fifth before I went out and probably about 5 or 6 drinks at the bar. I had absolutely no problems, didn't throw up, didn't feel nauseous, nothing. Just thought I would share that. Everyone reacts differently. There's no guarantee that you will get sick.
Anonymous said…
yo,
i had a one time dose of flagyl on thursday at 1pm and the Doc said not to drink for 72 hrs. I plan on drinking tonight, which is Saturday, and I am a little worried about the side effects.

Any advice?
Anonymous said…
I've had to take this damn medicine two times. The first was on my friend's birthday weekend. This time it's falling right on my mini-vacation! I read this blog of course to see if I could drink this time around. The first time I didn't drink at all except for O'Douls. But I got just as sick as all of the people who drank on Metro did! Although I know O'Douls has a very small amount of alcohol in it. Maybe that's enough to mess with the medicine. Until now I thot that I'd just happened to get stomach flew while on Metro. But after reading all the symptoms posted here, I think that either the O'Douls was the culprit, or that Metro's just one mean-ass drug that can make you feel sick and crazy all on its own. I'm waiting until my mini-vaca is over on Sunday and then I'm gonna start taking my meds. I will keep you posted.
Ky said…
So, i have been reading this absolutely hilarious page.....have been on metro for 3 days and have been told to NOT DRINK under any circumstances. Being totally maybe stupid i have decided to maybe have a drink...im on the first beer and feeling it maybe more than i usually would, cant imagine i will feel sick at all but i can never be too sure. So i am a human experiment at this stage and will post a comment on how i am feeling a little later.
Anonymous said…
I've been on metronidazole for 4 days. Totally spaced out during lunch with co-workers and had a beer. Got a little worried due to my doctors orders, but it's been 5-6 hrs since I had the beer and I feel fine. I was a little flushed for the first 2 hrs, but no additional side effects other than that.
Anonymous said…
Took 2 metronidazole Friday.
1 @ 8am 1 @ 2pm .. after that i went back to the dentist after reading about metronidazole and they put me on amoxicillin .
50 hours now after my last one ( only have taken 2 ) ... having my 1st beer ... i hope i,m ok !!! ^_^
Unknown said…
Was prescribed this horrendous antibiotic by a rubbish doctor when I didn't even have an infection so all it has done is prevented me drinking this ridiculous pain away and ruined Halloween. Took my last pill at 10.30am this morning, I am drinking tonight. This is one angry lady who needs a large glass of red wine. I defy you Metronidazole (please don't hurt me).
Anonymous said…
Damn it. Usually when I google to find info that conflicts with my doctors advice on alcohol, I find it. Not this time apparently. Judging by this thread I'm gonna be driving to the hospital shitting blood or something.
Had a 50ml single dose (200mg of metro in every 5ml) 18 hours ago and just forgot about the warning. Was into my third bottle of Cider (3-4 pints) a few hours ago when I realised I felt a bit flushed and weird... now feel really tired and a bit depressed, which is very unusual for me. See what the metro fairy has in store for the rest of the evening...
lovethypassport said…
Don't do it! FLAGYL take two. Having been on a FLAGYL antibiotic a year ago and defying the rules of NO ALCOHOL, I should have learned my lesson after projectile vomiting all night long. Now that I am on the Metronidazole now and found info online about the relationship bw this FLAGYL and alcohol that was inconclusive. What the hell! Typically I drink every day and am on a 14 day antibiotic. Yikes. Well folks, same results. Puked all night long, felt extreme nausea and headache. Listen to the Doctor...they are probably more knowledgeable than you about drugs. Isn't the definition of insanity 'doing same actions expecting different results'? :)
Anonymous said…
This is great! I feel united with other sufferers! Well people, I HAVE to have a drink on Saturday, 30-odd hours after taking my final metro pill - so I will report back and let you know whether the 48-hour rule stands...
Anonymous said…
So, I am 4 days out of 7 on Metro.
Dosage is 400mg 3 times a day, prescribed for a gum infection by my dentist. Lecture on no booze, pharmacist gave same lecture.
After Friday night home, alone and very SOBER - I dont think I can face the same again on a Saturday night!
Of course, being told you cant do something, makes you want to do it all the more. I have spent all morning googling Metro V Alcohol....and it seems strange to me that I cant find any scientific research in the last decade to support no booze. In fact, there seems to be papers being released that state Metro causes these symptoms....but I am still undecided!
Its 1pm, and I am actually thinkin of having a "tester" vodka & Diet Coke....that way, if it doesnt get me calling 999 - I can push the bar up n head out on the town tonight.....decisions decisons.....
Bored Blone from Uk
Anonymous said…
Bored blonde from UK update.
So, had a tester drink of vodka in the afternoon, about 5 hours after took tablet. All cool, so proceeded to go out last night, and drink the night away.
No symptons of any sort, had a great night out, danced till the early hours.
Just about to take a metro now, means i have missed 4 pills. Had a great lie in today, and no hangover.

So, for me boozing and taking metro was fine!
Anonymous said…
hi all so im on Metronidazole for seven days. One the second day of taking the pill, i wake up really late so i had one pill around 4pm and had a sandwich to eat and took the next pill around 11pm, then i had a beer like at 12am, i was fine until i smoked weed and then i just felt really nauseous but i didnt know if it was the mixture of weed, Metronidazole, and booze or because i failed to eat anymore than a mere sandwich the whole day!

but i do kno i had the weirdest high ever and i think that was due to the Metronidazole.. i still have one more day to take Metronidazole i hope its still effective..
Anonymous said…
I am on the third day of this regimen of 500mg three times a day for some parasite. So far so good.

Well, alchohol is not my staple food as I am a teetotaller. So, one less concern.

But, I color my hair. They say, avoid shampoo, deodarant, etc. while on this medication. I would like to color my hair one day after the regimen. Has anyone got any adverse reaction for this? Appreciate any feedback.
Anonymous said…
I am totally convinced after doing a bit of homework that Metronidazole and alcohol don't mix.

As for the marijuana, lay off that stuff before it ruins your life. The human brain doesn't fully develop until the age of 25, meanwhile you are buggering up the chemistry in your brain from the THC in the dope.

It might feel all cool and fine now, but wait until you get older. You may end up with brain damage, or falling into what's called a "psychosis", which may get you a one way ticket into a mental hospital (lunatic asylum). Marijuana is also believed to be the underlying cause of schizophrenia.

If you're of age, a few beers and a cigarette will do you no harm.
Anonymous said…
Wow. Can't believe I read every post here. I haven't picked up my Rx of metronidazole yet. I drink daily in the evenings but usually not enough to get drunk. Maybe I'll be a cheap date while taking this stuff. Maybe the rum will get dusty. Seems like you can't go full throttle while taking metro or you actually end up with alcohol poisoning. Sure be nice to see blood alcohol results in people taking metro vs. no meds.
Anonymous said…
been on metronidazole for 7 days 2x/day 500mg. drank liquor to the point of drunkeness 2 days in a row. felt absolutely FINE the next day, a tad hungover. they tell you not to take alcohol while on this as a precaution because someone thirty years ago died while on it and the company doesn't want to take any chances. chances of you dying while drinking on this pill....SLIM TO NIL
Anonymous said…
im so glad i came up here i have been on it for two days now and i need to drink something maybe ill have just a wine cooler but now i know im not the only one who had this problem it helped me and i dont need to drink that might change in an hour doe lol ill let yall know what happens tomorrow ( im on 500mg 2x a day)
Anonymous said…
well I'm taking the medicine unfaithfully and have had drinks, now AI am experiencing a break out like misquito bites - all over! I'm headed to the emergency room now. I feel like a itching human dog!
Unknown said…
I'm really glad I found this forum. I was just prescribed this med 2 X daily for 7 days. She told me not to drink. It's Christmas in a few days plus i would likely have my normal glass or two of wine per night. I thought to myself after my doctor warned me-it can't be that bad. So I googled it, found this page and decided to not drink. Damn. I could go a week without drinking wine-no problem. But it's the holidays and festivities that go along with it. I'm going home and meeting up with friends I haven't seen in MANY years. They are going to think I'm not drinking because I'm pregnant!! Thank goodness that's not the case!! What horrible timing to need this medication!!
So depressing. I was going on a hot date tomorrow night and looking forward to induldging in some booze. Damn metro. What a life ruiner. You better freaking work!!!! On the bright side you have completely surpressed my appetite. During the day
Unknown said…
I have taken metro for seven days 3 times a day (400mg) I missed only one tablet cause I was feeling sick to the stomach and thought it might make me feel worse. Throughout this whole course I have felt slightly nauseaous. It does make me feel like not eating, but I think I feel better when I force myself to eat. I took my last tablet at 8pm on the 23rd Dec so I may be able to squeeze a few christmas champers in later christmas night. This is the worse possible time of year to be taking maetronidazole. Has anyone ever been to hen's night sober? I don't advise trying it!
Anonymous said…
Ok so today, 27th Dec I get prescribed a 5 day course of metro for an infected impacted wisdom tooth from the emergency dentist.. 5 days course + 48 hours clear takes me to 2nd Jan...A dry NYE for me then !
Anonymous said…
Reading this I think I've scared myself sick! I'm on 500mg 2x's day and on my fourth day. Had a couple sips of wine and felt flushed immediately and my tummy feels yucky now. Is it just in my head? I stopped immediately it's just not worth it... Hope I don't get worse I only had a couple of sips but feel like I've had an entire bottle of wine! Yikes. Not sure if I should skip tonight's dose or not anyone have any suggestions?
Anonymous said…
OK...after reading (almost) all of these comments about how Metro/Flagyl can affect you if you drink alcohol, it has still left me wondering about something. I was prescribed Metroniadazole for what the ER doctor thinks is Diverticulitis. More testing will follow in about a week for more serious conditions, so please keep your fingers crossed for me, thanks.I am on day 6 of 2x a day. I vaguely remembered reading about the side effects while consuming alcohol, and thank God I still feel too sick to have tried a beer or anything else.But what I was wondering...did anyone have really vivid, really weird dreams when they were taking this stuff?? I don't know if I still feel so crappy because I am still sick, or if the Metro is making me feel this way. ie: walking around like "Gee, I shoulda had a V-8", feeling lop-sided and just kind of fuzzy. I did read here that these symptoms are possible when taking the drug, but I am really curious about the dreams! REALLY weird dreams!! Any comments??
Anonymous said…
I've been on the METRO 'bus line' for two days now. METRO doesn't allow drinking while on 'the bus'. My 'stop' isn't called for five more days. ...then it's a two day hike to get to a bar! THIS SUCKS, BIGTIME! Well, at least everyone else on the METRO 'system' is miserable, also.
Anonymous said…
Last night I drank beer, watched the game, and thought about this whole metronidazole and alcohol thing. I read all the posts, reviewed what the doctor AND pharmacist said, felt cocky enough and went for it. Took my first 500 mg pill around 10pm. Nothing happened. So about 45min later I enjoyed another beer. Look forward to happy hour on Friday.

I did have the bizarre dreams someone posted about. Popped awake at 3am, alert, sweaty, mostly about head and balls. Sleep was like a complete, instant shutdown, with no memory of the dreams, just that it was all weird; thought I was dead. This is a voodoo pill.
Anonymous said…
This blog is hilarious! i was suprised to see a blog with this topic, but thankful for it. I am on my first day of the metro and am already thinking about the fun filled weekend I have planned. one of my girls is coming to town and a group of us plan to hangout all weekend. The drinks WILL be flowing. i was going to chance it and drink a little anyways, but I'm not a big drinker at all....usually a shot and one or two mixed drinks will do it for me. I never drink at home....just when i go out. Sooooo...with that being said, and after reading some of the reactions others have had, i'll listen to my doc on this one!

but the ironic thing is that I did absolutely nothing last wk end and could have easily made it without a drink...oh well...
Anonymous said…
So I am loving this post - especially because I'm bored as fuck sitting around not drinking for my 6th day straight! After a long week of work, on a three day weekend, I took a double dose this morning and am planning on drinking tomorrow for sure. I will hold off and be bored again tonight, but tomorrow, I'm gettin my drink on. Hopefully, cross your fingers, it won't make me sick cuz I need to freakin let loose. I hate this medication.
Anonymous said…
TO EVERYONE THAT "SKIPS" OR "DOUBLES UP" on your antibiotics- it deems them completely ineffective and further causing your body to be IMMUNE to them, thus creating worse strains of sickness! Don't do it!
Anonymous said…
This just sucks ASS!! I'm dying for a glass of wine!! Watching my Husband drink is just torture. I want some crab with white wine and it's just plain mean! So I even have to wait 3 flippin days AFTER I finish the dam meds?? Screw this med! Ok ok, it did cure my issue! WHATEVER!!!
Anonymous said…
i love this blog. i'm glad i'm not the only one super bummed about not being able to drink for a few days. i really, really want to have some beers tonight but i'm scared i'm going to end up barfing on someone at this party i'm going to tonight. thanks for the help guys!
Anonymous said…
I was on a 10 day treatment of metro. (My doctor is an A-hole). I tried to drink FRE redwine (red wine with alcohol removed less than .005%) Started to feel like crap after second glass so I stopped. The main reason I am posting is I tested the 48 hour rule. I wasnt willing to wait another day after 10 days. I drank after about 20 hrs of stopping treatment. NO ISSUES what so ever.
Kathy said…
DON'T DO IT!! Started taking "devil drug" on Monday. Read all posts here. Friday, believing I was somehow "special" decided to have a "tester" drink w/roommate after work. Felt fine. Proceeded to have 5-6 more beers, a shot of Tequila Rose, and a cherry bomb. Normally would've felt fine (btw--I did have a cheese pizza with rommmate during drinks). Saturday woke up, it was as if all smells were magnified. I was sooo nauseas. After fighting it for 2 hours, threw up what little water I had drank that morning. Couldn't leave couch all day. (Didn't take any pills on Sat.) Felt like complete shit Sunday, up all night nauseas. Now it is Monday, feel horrible, and don't even know if it's even going to work now that I skipped a day. Do yourself a favor, take a drinking vacation, it is SO NOT WORTH IT!!!!
theskyisorange said…
check out http://antibiotics.emedtv.com/metronidazole/alcohol-and-metronidazole.html

"recent clinical studies have failed to demonstrate a significant interaction between metronidazole and alcohol."

i'm gonna try and drink tomorrow just for sake of experimenting and science =]

who knows, next time i have to take metronidazole i might really really want to drink ..i would like to know beforehand
Anonymous said…
I wanted to post about 48hr rule...it said don't drink till ur past 48hrs.....i was on 2x 500 for 7 days. after i had the last one..then after 20hrs i couldn't wait to drink up my rum & coke...so i started slowly had two drinks in 1.5hrs just to test the effect....i felt nothing bad...then continued with my original rate...finished 1/2 bottle of rum..no hangover nothing...may be it's just me...i guess it's ok to drink after 20hrs... i would say plz test it's effect then only proceed..good luck...luv this blog...so many bloody alcoholics..hahaha...just accept it, if ur here reading this uve a problem :)
srm said…
I am on metronidazole. I drank 3 beers and had no adverse effects.
eutere said…
I love this blog with all my heart ...

Anyways I finished a 5 day course of 300mg 3x day at 3pm, and I'll be damned if I'm not drinking tonight!

From what I've read of everyone else, it seems to magnify the effects of the booze so I am going to be an experiment and take it slow and easy and see if I can turn Metro into my friend ... by making me proper drunk for no money!

I will report back ...
Unknown said…
Right I'm on this Flagyl for a 7 day course. 400mg and 3 a day. On Friday next a friend of mine is heading off to Australia for 2 years and is having a going away party and I want to drink at it. Think about 50 going and me the only one not drinking. The thing is with taking the tablets I will be left with 1 by next Wednesday. So I'm thinking of skipping it which gives me about 62 hours off them before drinking. But don't know about the risk.
Arturo Ui said…
I took a 1-day, 4 tablets course of 500 MG each Metronidazole. 24 hrs after taking my last pill, I started drinking beer. I probably had 7 or 8 before the end of the night. During my drinking and the morning after, I experienced no ill side effects whatsoever. Not even the mildest hangover. I should add that I drank a lot of water with my beer, too.

I am no expert, but my hunch is that the likelihood of side effects has most to do with the amount you are taking, the length of time you are taking it, and whether you drink WHILE on the meds, or afterwards. In my case, I took a relatively low dose for only one day, and still waited 24 hrs after discontinuing before drinking alcohol. The people who got sick seem to have been taking it for a long time, and drank WHILE taking the meds.

I would advise not drinking anything WHILE on the meds, and giving yourself a little break after stopping. Just my advice.
Rachel said…
Well first of all...drinking alcohol while taking Metronidazole has nothing to do with your alcohol tolerance, believe me. The first day I started taking it after my second dose I had about 2 beers, a mixed drink and 3 shots and I felt completely fine. I'm now on my 4th day of taking it and last night I had one single beer and felt fine. About 3 hours later I took my night time dose and about 20 minutes later I was in absolute, horrible pain. At first came a headache that caused me to lay down because I could no longer stand. Then a few minutes later I was so nauseous and sick I ended up projectile vomiting for the next 4 hours. I'm a regular drinker and usually drink every weekend and a couple of days during the week. I think it may have something to do with the amount of time the drug is in your bloodstream to have any effect on the absorption of the alcohol.

Furthermore, I woke up today feeling weak and ate something, feeling better. I shortly after that took my morning dose and then again came on the sickness. Needless to say, DRINKING WHILE TAKING METRONIDAZOLE IS NOT WORTH IT, seriously.
Anonymous said…
Hi all, I am now on the last day of a 5 day course of 200mg 3xdaily. I found this blog after googling for metronidazole and alcohol because I am one who likes a glass or two of the red stuff in the evening and would have been, if I'm honest, one of those who would have 'had a little try just to test...'.Needless to say, after reading the comments, I have abstained and it seems quite rightly so. After frightenning myself to death reading all the side effects folks have been suffering I started the course with total dread and the assumption I would suffer from every side effect and that I would surely die! However, as you can see I'm alive and well and thought I would reply here to let you know I have suffered from absolutely no side effects whatsoever!I have followed the instructions to the letter,no alcohol, spaced out the doses regularly and eaten something with each does [even though my stomach during the early part of the treatment has said 'no no' to food]..and all washed down with a full glass of water.I found a small amount of porridge or cornflakes helpful.Food is important because these tabs can be nasty on an empty stomach, hence I havent felt nauseous at all. The nasty taste some folks experienced I did have for about 5 mins on day two but sucked a mint and totally forgot about it and havent had it since :-)
Anonymous said…
Hi All,
I drink my tail off when I was on metronidazole and never got sick. When I went back for the follow up my infection was clear. But overall, I have to remeber that everybody's body is different.
Anonymous said…
I first agree with other people's remarks that this blog is crazy funny but must admit that I'm posting this blog with 4 mimosas, 1 deuce of smirnoff,and 4 days of flagyl in my system. So needless to say the blog has also induced a bit of fear in my head but feel at this point it is too late to reverse the damage I have done. It seems from the posts everyone has lived to tell the tale of their experience so I'm not too worried, lol. Also as testimony I drank 2 mimosas on day 2 of treatment and felt only typical hangover effects from the alcohol and perhaps a bit of the enhanced alcohol effects other people described. Still I have made up my mind to finish my course of therapy with no more alcohol consumption because of the negative posts and will report if I should not survive the next 3 days.
Vanessa said…
I am a nursing student, was prescribed Metronidazole and was told the same thing: NO ALCOHOL. Of course, this greatly hampered my social life on the weekends, so I decided to look up the effects in one of my drug books:

The client taking metronidazole should avoid alcohol and alcohol-containing medications for at least 48 hours after treatment is completed. Drug interaction with alcohol may produce a disulfiram reaction (facial flushing, severe headache, tachycardia, palpitations, hypotension, dyspnea, sweating, slurred speech, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting).

Disulfiram is a drug given to alcoholics to prevent them from drinking because of the harsh side effects when the pills and alcohol mix. The most common side effects are just flushing and headache and some possible nausea and vomiting, but the more alcohol consumed, the more severe the side effects, possibly resulting in a heart attack or seizure. So yeah, I guess it's your choice, but it's also your health you are messing with if you decide to drink while on metronidazole!
Jeff said…
Well I’m between a rock and a hard place. I am an alcoholic, drinking on average about 18 beers a day, 7 days a week. I was prescribed metronidazole for an abscessed tooth. 500mg, 3 times a day for 7 days. Some how I’ve managed to get through to day 7 (I have two pills left to take today). But the effect of alcohol withdrawal is killing me and the thought of puking my head off doesn’t seem all that bad compared to the withdrawals.

So yes I’m drinking my first beer as I write you. I do plan to take it easy and drink as few beers as possible and will be on high alert for the well-documented side effects. I am pissed that both my dentist and my pharmacist both failed to ask if I was an alcoholic before handing me this drug. I will of course NEVER agree to take this drug again in the future and I am seriously considering not taking the last two pills as I am also taking penicillin for the same infection.

I will post back tomorrow and let you know how things went for me.
Jeff said…
I certainly can not say that there was not some hesitation or anxiety associated with drinking last night but aside from that I had no other issues. I did take it a bit easy and only drank 10 beers throughout the evening. I had no headache, upset stomach or hot flashes. Although it is currently 33°C (91.4°F) here right now so I likely would not have noticed any hot flashes.

Aside from my own personal experience, it is well documented that metronidazole and alcohol are NOT a safe combination and you should certainly think twice about combining the two.

If you are like myself (a hard core alcoholic) then I would seriously advise you not to get involved with this drug and ask your doctor if there is any other alternative. Personally, despite my success story there is without doubt serious risks involved here and I for one will never agree to take this medication again.

Good Luck and Cheers!
Anonymous said…
Hi, 5'2" female....metronidazole 400mg x2 daily for 5 days....15 hours since last dose....half a bottle of wine and no ill effects. Feel a little bit more drunk than usual, but that could be cause of 5 alcohol free days.
:D
Anonymous said…
I'm on Day 2 of a 7-day Metro regimen... but it's 80 degrees out and I wanna go drink a beer out in the sun! Maybe if I try Miller Lite instead of a rich microbrew? This truly IS a test to see if one can really pass up alcohol!!
Anonymous said…
Well, tomorrow I'm taking the last couple of Mets and the course will be finished.

I managed to get through the week without drinking and I'm glad I did after reading the comments above!

I'm damned if I'm going to pay any attention to that 48 hour waiting period thing, though.

England are playing the day after tomorrow, so 24 hours is going to have to be enough.

I'll let you know if anything bad happens.
Unknown said…
Hysterically funny, a) that we are all taking meds for an infection of some kind and hate it, and b) that we are all gagging for a drink!

I've been on them for nearly a week but I have not been taking them properly (forget the daytime dose... oops)
I have been on 400mg x 3 per day.

Considering it's follow-up from a post-surgery infection, I should probably forgo my wine and vodka another few days and take care of my body, huh?!

The thought of projectile vomiting at the gig I am going to with friends tomorrow night does not appeal. And I know the chances are slim, but man, those ladies would smack me so hard if I ruined their night for a few drinks!

Thanks for the laughs y'all, very amusing - and get well soon!
Anonymous said…
Don't do it!!

Trying to be a daredevil, I swallowed my met pills down with white wine. Didn't work out so well! I threw up about 20 mins later... pills, wine, and all. What a waste of wine and pills!!!
Apase said…
Well i only have one tablet left from a 3 a day 7 day perscription but the boyz are at the bar so f it im goin. A few people have said diff people react differently so theirs only one way to find out! will report back when im pissed or sick!

Apase
apase said…
First off im not one to believe sh!t thats posted online but ive just got back after a few hours of playin out & after 7 pints i feel tip top! I was reluctant to drink after reading the comments on this post but dont feel any different to normal. The only thing i need to top it off is my char sue curry & fried rice to hurry up lol! These metronidazole tablets had none of the said online side effects to me but not to say they wont to you!

Apase
Anonymous said…
Bottom line is the side effects will be different for each person. I'm sure that body weight, dosage, and how much time passes after said dose are all variables. The decision to drink really remains up to the individual. I am on 500mg twice daily, have been on it for three days, and tonight I drank a beer approx. 5 hours after my last dose. Had some dizziness, upset stomach, and fatigue but I'm not vomiting or anything. This, of course, does not mean that someone in a similar situation will experience the same. Despite the information and discussions available online, an individual cannot really know what will come out of combining metro and alcohol. If someone does choose to take that chance, they have to be prepared for the possible consequences. If there are feelings of apprehensiveness, I'm sure waiting a few more days would not be the end of the world. Good luck everyone.
Anonymous said…
Just finished a one day 2000mg treatment, which by itself caused stomach pain & diarrhea. These are normal side effects according to the doctor. So, I waited 22 hours after taking the metro & went out for a few drinks with friends, which turned into alot of drinks with friends & feel fine. I didn't have any vomiting, headaches, or racing heartbeat, etc. So I'm thinking it's up to the individual's body & maybe the stress of worrying about the drinking side effects could enhance some of the effects. Along with when the person last ate, humidity or temperature, there are a lot of external situations that could make these effects better or worse, as with anytime you drink. But, as has been stated before, everyone is different & reactions to any medicine will not always be the same.
Anonymous said…
Hi everyone. I'm on that metronidazole 500mg 2x per day for a week. On day five, which was yesteray, I had one wine cooler. I might have felt more tired than I already was. Today, I had one drink of wine in the mid afternoon, so several hours after my first dose, and decided to lay down for a nap. I woke up with my heart racing, and just an overall weird feeling. So I'm just going to wait until I go to bed to take my next dose, and stay away from alcohol. I guess a lot of bad stuff can happen while being on this stuff.
Anonymous said…
I took a course for 5 days. I took my first drink 30 hours after the last tablet. In fact I had 3 pints and I was fine so I wouldnt worry about the wait for 48 hours after the last one rule.
Mr.L said…
Wow! Can't believe I just read all the comments, lol. So I was prescribed Metronidazole (1 dose of 2000MG)and I'm thinking of having a farewell drink tonight, then taking my single dose 24hrs afterwards. I'm glad I found this blog, lol.
Anonymous said…
Taking metro gel bid x 5 - 2 doses down. Drinking a Mike's margarita while I read this. Funny, I did the search and started reading before I opened the bottle, 5.5% alcohol volume. Half way through an 11.2 oz bottle and I'm already feelin a buzz and a small head ache. Stupid thing for a med student and good thing this is the only one I have.
Anonymous said…
Hilarious. Its BC long weekend and I got pals in town. I took my first500mg dose at 6am and have decided to wait till after the weekend to start it. I wonder if I am able to start drinkin tomorrow afternoon? 32 hours should be enough....
Anonymous said…
Metro profile:
Female, 18. 5ft, 60kg.
Yesterday at lunch, I had 5x Metros all at 400mg (A super dose, since I get really sick on the 7 day dose. - I saw 2 others had also had this dose) 11.59pm the next day I popped onto this website while cracking open a 5% RTD. I am now half way through, and I feel fine, a little panicked after sitting there and reading everyone's responses to this blog. Never thought it would be such a popular topic!

...3/4 done: Bit of a rumbly tummy, the same feeling you get when you drink something a tad too strong, feeling a little nauseous.

...whole bottle down. I drank that pretty slow. I'm still feeling okay. To others: Just drink one, drink slowly and you will be alright, and only just have little effects.

Does anyone else hate that horrid metalic taste it gives you? And is there anyway to get rid of this taste? This is my 3rd time on this med, and the first time that i was told by my pharmacist not to drink on it...And the only time when I would have killed for a drink!!
Anonymous said…
^^^ me again..

I do feel a tad wasted just after that one bottle, I would not suggest more than one.
Hey, so I've been on this god awful metro drug for the last 7 days 3x 400mg per day for a belly button infection. I have felt pretty spaced out whilst on this drug and the confusion and random rashes suck! Not to mention the god awful taste.

I took my last tablet 30 hours ago and Tonight I am meeting a mate in town for a well needed session and will report back in the morning with said effects.
So.... After a 6 hour drinking session of 4 vodka red bulls. 2 yaegerbombs, 6 pints and 2 jd a cokes felt a bit rough but no major sickness or sweats.... in fact I even had time to pull the girl of my dreams so if your taking a weeks course and are worried about drinking afterwards then 36 hours SHOULD be just fine.
Anonymous said…
Love this page! I am on 250mg 2X a day for 7 days.. i have a date tonight so weighing out the options! Im on day three, yesterday around noon i tasted a drink i made twice through a straw (bartender taste for a drink i made for a customer) i had just taken a pill 20min before and i think i started to feel buzzed from like a sip! BTW,im 5'8" 125 female.. dont know yet if im gunna try a drink on my date tonight but if i do i will drink it very slow and probably skip the pill i take around 10pm.. and let you know the results!
erin said…
I had to comment after reading every thing people put on here. I am a EMT-b and have been warned about the alcohol with the pills. It is the last saterday night with my
BF before he starts school again. I want to have a drink or two with him.
im 23 5' 143 lbs .... this is day number 6 my infection is gone and im skip all the rest of my 2 pills im on the 500mg 2x a day for 7 days thing.... from reading what i have gathered is that you cant take a pill right before or right after you drink. and you have to drink in moderation.. im drinking 2 shots tonight and will report back at that time if i will be drinking any more
Anonymous said…
I just googled what happens when you mix metronidazole with alcohol because I've been on it almost a week, totally forgot the warning about alchohol and last night I had two beers and two martini's. I didn't remember about the warning until after I got home. The thing is, I felt fine! I still do. So I was worried the damage might be liver damage that you don't notice right away. After reading the other posts here, I am sure lucky nothing happened. A friend was in town staying with me and I am so glad I didn't get sick!!!! I wouldn't recommend taking the risk of mixing these two drugs. I am still worried I've damaged my liver by what I've done and it may not show up for awhile.
Anonymous said…
So I drank 1/4 can of beer 24 hours of my last dose of 4 days (supposed to do 7 but quit) 500mg and felt so flush. I had much anxiety and couldnt sleep like I had drank all night and wake up in the early morning and cant go back to bed. It was wierd. Never taking this shit again, too many wierd side effects. Love this blog was laughing my ass off! Great Job :)
Lou said…
ok i have been given metro 400mg x 5 days. as i am drinking this evening (prob a bottle of wine) my question is how long afterwards is it safe to start the meds?? funny that i am already panicking about not drinking cause i cant....argghhhh
Anonymous said…
Just finished a five day course of metro tonight. My brother in law is a pharmacist so I called him and asked about the 48 hour rule. He said that I should be fine after 24 hours. So I will of course be following his professional advice...
Anonymous said…
I got prescribed this drug--took 4x500mg pills @ 10a.m. and made a cocktail 1 hr ago...have felt like crap all day tho...thought maybe it was from last nite's hangover...usually can workout w/a hangover every sat...no can do today...think im gonna still have one more drink and call it a day. did take my blood pressure, which usually runs normal...was 130/77. weird the top # was high...maybe eating might help...more BM's than usual too :o(
Anonymous said…
Ps. it was a one-time dose--YAY! this drug sucks...but heard its damn effective...forget that 10-day amoxicillin deal...Flagyl kills it all (and if it dont, nothin will, lol)
Anonymous said…
DONT DO IT! seems from reading this I had a much worse reaction including fever, vomiting, entire body felt hot and was red and whole body ached. I basically felt like I had a severe flu and looked really sunburnt. I had only had one drink too. I am 5'9 and no lightweight. Ugh never again!
Anonymous said…
I have been taking ths med for two dyas now and am a regular drinker(4-5 shots vodka/day).I take my 2 early doses in the moring and with lunch. Have cut back to 1 or 2 drinks before dinner, then take my 3rd dose late (3-5 hrs. after eating). No problem at all so far.
Anonymous said…
I'm on 500mg, 2x a day for 7 days. I had one and a half beers about 5 hours after a pill, two nights in a row, and was basically fine. However, the next night I drank two beers quickly and felt like vomiting all night. One or two beers is do-able, but drink slowly.
Ani said…
Lmfao at all these comments! So, I'm on day 5 of the Metro train @500mg for 7 days. Had a tab at 9am yest and another at 3pm, drank a beer at 11pm after hockey and felt fine - no side effects whatsoever. Did the same dosing today, and going to have a couple more beers tonight. It seems like if you don't take it right before or after alcohol you're OK. Also, here's some interesting info regarding this topic: http://onthepharm.net/2007/08/flagyl-alcohol-reaction.html
Good luck to all! Will report if I have an adverse reaction, although just taking this shit makes me feel sick! I'm thinking a few beers might actually make me feel better, lol!
Anonymous said…
A few months ago I was on day two of flagyl and had ONE beer with dinner. I drink often and never thought one beer would hurt. Before I could pay my tab I began to feel very hot and agitated. I went to the bathroom and had diarrhea and was covered in sweat and my heart was racing. I thought I would pass out. An ambulance came and took my vitals but I was feeling somewhat better and didn't go to the hospital. Anyway I thought it was just a reaction to the pill and now I am convinced ONE beer caused this severe anxiety attack. So now I am about to start metro-gel treatment and am going to Mexico in 9 days for vacation and my birthday. Sounds like I should be ok to drink on the 17th if I start tonight for seven days....fingers crossed!!!
Sherry said…
Well, like many others I'm going to take my chances and give it a shot. I'm on day 4 of a 2x day 500mg, 14 day nightmare. I'm about 3/4 of the way thru a weakly-poured vodka & mocha drink and so far I feel a little warm and maybe a little hazy (then again, I also got new contacts so it could just be that it's late and they're getting blurry!) I attribute my reaction so far to nothing more than paranoia but I WILL (God willing) report back with details of any reactions. I'd also like to thank everyone who posted, I read every last one and took that into consideration BEFORE I started! (I'm a dumbass)
Anonymous said…
Ah when the chips are down you have to love the camaraderie of our generation.. not to mention the accidental reveal of sociology.

Day 2 of Metro-po-loser... WTF am angry and depressed as am feeling like some kind of an alco loser who cant go for 2days without a drink? Had a shiteful day, or is that because Im frustrated because the fun police took my totally wicked weekend away and now Im so worked up I need a drink. Just to spite you metro im drinking. will adv of any adverse reactions, not in vain, but to hopefully help out some other poor sod who is unlucky enough to find themselves in this mental headcase of a position.. Oz.
Anonymous said…
Didnt drink and I have to say feeling slightly empowered like I slayed that evil dragon in my head right back to the brewery, that my mind IS stronger than the derailed metro Im on.. WTF of course I rule over metro, metro will not beat me, 7days is a walk in the park, I will succeed, I will not be back here blogging before the 7daze it out warning any future metro travelers about the adverse affects of mixing alcohol with metro. Take a ridiculously hot dry-room sauna while listening to white rabbit by Jefferson airplane instead.. Oz
Anonymous said…
(DTEX)
Perhaps the most detailed log about Metro/Flagyl ;)

Mine was 10 days at 500mg x 2 a day.

My doctor told me to NOT drink while on it, it promised me that it would be a bad bad thing.

The Pharmacist said the same thing, but adde "Don't drink until 3 days later" - NO!! Doing a bit of research, it seems that 24~36hours after last dose will vary from research results and people.

I took my first pill about 6~8hrs after my last drink, to get it over-with ASAP.
Then Friday came up and a hot girl says "lets go out" - needless to say, THAT is the first time I've been to a club and didn't get a drink, plus I DANCED Sober. She had a good time, I had a good time and people were shocked when I said "I'm sober".

That night, I tasted rum & coke as I mixed it for the girl and was testing my mixture level. Drank about a teaspoon... second I swallowed, I remembered why I WASN'T drinking. I drank water and sprite all night. I would say that 4hrs later at an after party (with free shots of my favorite vodka I'm not drinking) - my stomach didn't feel right, a bit of a knot. But at least not ill.

I've finished my last dose at 1am (wish I took it 2hrs earlier like I planned) and planning on drinking tonight at 10pm - I'll drink about half my usual amount. Its just short of 24hrs and I've read that 24+ should be fine.

me: 40yr health male, 190lbs 6ft.

PS: Other anti-biotics: Talking with the pharmacist about drinking, he says that IT does hurt the effectiveness of the drug. And in my experience, I would agree. He said, if you have a 5~7 day dose, its the early doses that matter most. So if its the last day or so, it shouldn't be a problem.

I'll report back *IF* I feel sick or anything odd.
Sherry said…
I'm so sorry I didn't write back sooner but I've had a pretty full day! I'm happy to report that I am, apparently, one of the few that can drink on Flagyl. I'm ashamed to say that I had a quiz this morning (3/4 time junior @ university) and I chose to take my chances anyway last night. (Raging alcoholic much? this column makes me feel better that I'm not alone!) I had no ill effects at all from drinking last night, however, I am also drinking tonight so I'll report again tomorrow. BACKGROUND INFO: 5'4", 165 lbs (officially obese/borderline), 39 yr old female. Drinks 6-18 drinks 3x/week; On a 14 day, 500mg Flagyl 2x/day schedule for PIV (pelvic inflammatory disorder). On day 3 or 4 (started on a Sunday afternoon, drank on Wed. night), I skipped my nightly dose @ 11pm (taken last @ 11am Wed, started drinking approx. 10 hrs later), I drank the first two very slowly and noted my reactions. My face felt hot all day but after my first drink I decided to take my temp., it was 99.1F. That scared me a little since I had a Doc's appt earlier that day and they didn't mention it. As badly as I wanted to drink I was surprised that so little satisfied me (I think 7 vodka mixes). I did feel a bit "weird" but not overly drunk that many reported. Strangely satisfied, yes, but by the time I went to bed (and yes, I did drink a 16 oz bottle of water after, but then, I always do), I didn't feel drunk at all when I went to bed. Even so, I feared the repercussions of my actions for the next day. I'm happy to report that for me, personally, I had absolutely none. I awoke feeling perfectly fine. I didn't take my next dose until after my quiz (1pm) and I felt no affects. I would like to note that as many others that had no ill effects, I am a regular drinker and I did not intake my maximum amount. I am drinking again tonight (which I NEVER drink 2 days in a row) but last night was my bf's bday and tonight I've really gone all out (I'm on about 8ish now and I feel nothing out of the ordinary, no beer tho, only vodka mixes). If I have any ill effects I will definitely report back, otherwise, assume they were the same as before (God willing!).
Sherry said…
I'm so sorry I didn't write back sooner but I've had a pretty full day! I'm happy to report that I am, apparently, one of the few that can drink on Flagyl. I'm ashamed to say that I had a quiz this morning (3/4 time junior @ university) and I chose to take my chances anyway last night. (Raging alcoholic much? this column makes me feel better that I'm not alone!) I had no ill effects at all from drinking last night, however, I am also drinking tonight so I'll report again tomorrow. BACKGROUND INFO: 5'4", 165 lbs (officially obese/borderline), 39 yr old female. Drinks 6-18 drinks 3x/week; On a 14 day, 500mg Flagyl 2x/day schedule for PIV (pelvic inflammatory disorder). On day 3 or 4 (started on a Sunday afternoon, drank on Wed. night), I skipped my nightly dose @ 11pm (taken last @ 11am Wed, started drinking approx. 10 hrs later), I drank the first two very slowly and noted my reactions. My face felt hot all day but after my first drink I decided to take my temp., it was 99.1F. That scared me a little since I had a Doc's appt earlier that day and they didn't mention it.
Sherry cont'd said…
As badly as I wanted to drink I was surprised that so little satisfied me (I think 7 vodka mixes). I did feel a bit "weird" but not overly drunk that many reported. Strangely satisfied, yes, but by the time I went to bed (and yes, I did drink a 16 oz bottle of water after, but then, I always do), I didn't feel drunk at all when I went to bed. Even so, I feared the repercussions of my actions for the next day. I'm happy to report that for me, personally, I had absolutely none. I awoke feeling perfectly fine. I didn't take my next dose until after my quiz (1pm) and I felt no affects. I would like to note that as many others that had no ill effects, I am a regular drinker and I did not intake my maximum amount. I am drinking again tonight (which I NEVER drink 2 days in a row) but last night was my bf's bday and tonight I've really gone all out (I'm on about 8ish now and I feel nothing out of the ordinary, no beer tho, only vodka mixes). If I have any ill effects I will definitely report back, otherwise, assume they were the same as before (God willing!).
Anonymous said…
I was on both intravenous equivalent and oral metronidazole for about a month, and finished about three and a half days ago, had three beers, no side effects, everything was good both during and the next day after drinking. Hope this helps.
Anna said…
I am on 500 mg of this shit for 7 days, 5 days and one pill through and I'm fucking going out. I tried to drink like a couple nights ago, one tallboy, and all that happened was a slight headache. I'm thinking I'll just go really slow and see what happens. I'm a big drinker and I haven't felt any side effects yet on it, sooooooo. Wish me luck motherfuckers!
Anonymous said…
hahaha this is halarious! Ok so im about to drink a four loko... i'm on 500mg 3x a day. The shit makes me feel terrible as it is so can't get much worse right? I've been on it for two weeks and i can't not drink anymore. It's thanksgiving, i need a buzz. Wish me luck!
Anonymous said…
Well im sat here longingly eyeing up a bottle of wine which i bought earlier in the week specifically for tonight! I'm on day 4 of 400mg 2x a day for an infection that it turns out i don't have!! I've been told to finish the course anyway. I took my last pill about 9am this morning, its now 8pm and i swear that wine is winking at me! I've not taken my evening dose so i can drink tonight but i'm not sure 11 hours is enough! Hmmmm....
Anonymous said…
I honestly cannot believe how many people are drinking on this. I mean...how friggin' badly do you need to drink that you'd risk ventricular tachycardia and even death? I love my wine LOVE it. Prior to my surgery which landed me on Metro for 6 full weeks - IV and oral - I drank a glass or two EVERY day and a bottle on a Saturday. I haven't touched a drop - my doctor scared me sufficiently - and I had my last dose on Saturday night and I'm still dry. I don't plan on drinking until Saturday - a full week after my last dose. I ain't messing around with this shit - and taking it a bit to the extreme, but after 6 weeks of antibiotics, 2 post op infections, 3 post surgery hospital stays, I'm not gonna fuck around just for the sake of a glass of wine. Wow.
Anonymous said…
Heres the deal.....I drank moderately the last day of my course on this medication... and gotten violently ill. A fast buzz which is great until you're praying to the toilet gods. Four years later, I was prescribed a course of this..500 mg BID for 7 days. So two 500 mg tablets, for a week. I did not want the side effects this time around. Started them on a friday morning, ended them on a thursday evening. I spoke with my pharmacist. She stated that if you wait 24 hours after your last dose, you should be fine. However, Im giving it an extra day to be safe, because the vomiting is painful and somewhat frightening. HOWEVER, this is only applicable to the TABLETS. If you were prescribed capsules, chances are they are EXTENDED RELEASE capsules, and you will want to wait at least 36 hrs (3 days)because the medicine is still in your system. It sucks not drinking on the weekend, but the effects are not worth it. Mouthwash, soaps, deoderant, shampoo and conditioner with higher levels of alcohol can even interact with the medication. DO NOT drink while it's in your system. Some people metabolize medication differently, and may not experience the severe effects, but chances are, you're not that lucky. No matter what day of the week you start taking them, you're going to miss out on a weekend anyway. So that is the real deal. Talk to your doctor and/or pharmacist. If you dont want to give up drinks, ask for an alternative antibiotic. I started mine last Fri, ended the following Thursday, and I should be in the clear tonight (Fri) but am still waiting until tomorrow night to be cautious, because I have already felt the wrath on a previous treatment. Hope this helps! Here's to dicks and airplanes, may they rise high! Cheers!
Anonymous said…
This is Gigi,I was prescribed 2 500mg tablets for 7 days. It is the 28th. I took 2 today, will take 2 tomorrow, and will take one at 7:00 Thursday morning. I the plan to stop taking them for the time being, as 36 hours later I will be wanting to party for New Year's Eve!!!!! Do you think 36 hours will be enough time to get 5 pills out of my system? I got a BV at a bad time......New year's this weekend, the Sugar bowl on January 4th...... I know getting rid of this BV is more important than drinking and I wouldn't even have googled all this and read, laughed, and empathized with all these stories, but my goodness....gotta have champagne on new year's. I will let you know the results. Hopefully I will be kissing my boyfriend at 12:00 NYE and not kissing a toilet!
Unknown said…
I finished a fourteen day course on Monday and then had a party on the Tuesday. I had a great evening but then it all went very wrong - spent the rest of the night throwing up, shouting in my sleep and getting hysterically upset. Didn't manage to get out of bed until 8pm on the Weds! Horrible horrible horrible!
Anonymous said…
Why did the doctor have to put me on this freaking med right before New Years?!?!? I'm drinking tonight to see what happens... and I absolutely love this blog! At least I'm not the only alcohol lover!
Anonymous said…
this page is hilarious, unfortunately im not laughing right now its so hot and not to mention new years,i think the damn fridge is laughing at me full of sweet crisp refreshing beer. hmmm dont think i will chance having one after reading peoples reactions. This certainly is one evil drug i hope its worth selling my soul for to get rid of these damn stomach ulcers. on the plus side no hangover tomorow, happy new year all
Anonymous said…
I know a few years back in college I had a small amount of metro in my system, (probably took a pill around noon) And then had a PEWNY cocktail drink at a house party (less than half a shot of vodka...probably a quarter of a shot) and by noon the next day, I was damn near dead. My legs didn't work...all my motor skills were GONE. I really thought I was dying and had NO idea it was because of the TINY amount of metro in my system.
Anonymous said…
this post is soooo funny! I have beeen on metro for 4 days now and last night i decided to try to have a couple beers with a friend. I was nervous and every little feeling i had I was like omg im gonna get sick. well i had two whole bud lites and felt fine! I dont know what i want to push it tho, today is thursday and I always drink every friday. I really believe that this metro crap affects everyone differently and you dont know how it will affect you unless you are brave enough to try.
thanks for the laughs yesterday everyone :)
Anonymous said…
I finished taking metronidazole on Wednesday afternoon, had a few drinks on Friday night and Saturday ended up at the emergency doctors after having a hypertension do. Not nice... I wouldn't recommend anyone drinks whilst taking this and for quite a few days after!
Anonymous said…
I normally drink heavily ALL WEEKEND LONG with 1-2 glasses of wine a night during the week. I'm 5'6" 150lbs.
Thursday at 9pm I took a 1-time dose of 4 500mg pills (so 2g total). I didn't drink anything Thursday night. But all day Friday I felt off, nauseated, and uneasy with no appetite. This was WITHOUT drinking anything.
Last night (Friday night) I needed to unwind badly and read all these comments. A wise person would probably not have drank but since it was 24 hours later, I decided to be bold. I started slow to gauge the reaction.
(3 glasses wine, 3 bacardi & pineapples, 2 shots of Jamo, 2 vodka crans, and 1 mystery shot later)
Nothing changed at all - I still felt uneasy and nauseated and I was a wet napkin all night. But that was an effect of the metro itself and not the alcohol interaction.
What finally set me right was a joint at 4am - but then again, might just be the metro wearing off. The nausea was definitely not related to the metro, for me - it was already a side effect before I started drinking and didn't get worse.
Anonymous said…
^^^ me again, a little later
How the F did this drug get approved for human use??
I have a BAD hangover at this point. Headache and nausea not proportionate to what it usually would be for that intake (I usually don't get bad hangovers despite drinking a lot). Use caution. Better yet tell your Dr. to prescribe an alternate med if possible!
Kent_Skylark said…
I read almost all of the comments on this blog and I am glad I did. I no longer feel like I am insane! lol. I am am on a 10 day regimen on Metronidazole and the first three days on the meds I felt nausea and stomach pains, understanding these were possible side effects I didn't get worried.

I smoked one day while on it and as one person described it was one of the more interesting highs I've ever experienced. The extremely weird thing is while taking this med I experienced very vivid weird dreams. I would wake up and tell my partner about them and he would just laugh at me. I put on perfume on my neck and to my surprise I now have a little breakout, lol. I wish my doctor would have told me that the medicine made you extra sensitive to perfumes!!!

I am glad that the medicine cleared up my infection in what seemed like 7 days. After taking it for that long I missed a day but soon after feeling guilty I took a dose today which happens to be Friday, the same day my partner decides to go get a bottle of Cliquot Rose Vintage. Sigh! I thought I would be fine since the dose was at lunch time, but after reading this blog I think I am just going to take it easy! It is eating me up to watch him drink in front of me seeing as though I haven't had liqour in 7 days!
Anonymous said…
2nd day of 3x 500mg metro for 7days. This is along with cipro and vicodin. I also take xanxy, niacin, pravastin, coreg and an array of other rxs. This is treatment for my first bout with diverticulitis.

I have enjoyed all of the other posts and was really glad to find this blog. I am always skeptical when I am being told no alcohol. Like others I really look forward to my nitely cocktail or 2.

In light of what I have read, I am going to do my best to go dry for the seven days plus 24 hours. I am sure the vicodin and xanyx will help keep the edge off.

If I fall off the wagon, I will let you know the results. My past experience has shown that I have a high tolerance to almost everything. I hate vomitting. Hopefully that will keep me on the straight and narrow.
Anonymous said…
you people are retarded. knowingly drinking while taking medication with serious interactions to alcohol? anyone hear of darwin awards?
Anonymous said…
Well being a typical hypochondriac, who for the first time ever had a bad reaction to amoxicillin a couple of weeks back I have now completed a weeks course of metronidizole, I have completed it because I left the bottle with the last two pills in a cafe.

What seems crazy with all this is that I was prescribed a mouthwash as well as this, and you know what, the mouthwash contains alcohol!!!!!

I am a regular drinker and I think anyone who is seriously missing it after a couple of days has a problem, that probably includes me. I am going to an event where there will be free wine tomorrow evening, that will be some 52 hours after my last dose, but I am still probably not going to drink because the last thing I want is to be puking up on the train home, even if the risk is slight.
Anonymous said…
here's to all the other hardcore alcoholics reading this page. 10+ shots of whiskey a night down to zero, I'm going crazy, and I'm only on day 3. The cure is worse than the disease.
Anonymous said…
Day two of meds. Got trashed on vodka. Threw up at end of night. Still sick 24 hours later. Shaky, nauseated and hot flashes. Booze and flagyl definitely not recommended!
Anonymous said…
This forum is the best part of my night..i wish to share all responses with everyone I know. If I ever need a good laugh I will surely come straight here. Anyways.......

I took Metro my first time about 2 weeks ago. CVS is shitty and didn't put a big "no alcohol" sticker on my pill bottle (had no idea you weren't supposed to drink). So I went about life as usual: going to parties, drinking during dinner, etc. Nothing ever happened to me.

Now I'm taking Metro again (damn hot lesbian sex) and this time my doctor informed me about the alcohol side effects. So now that I know about it I'm scared and think that the psychosomatic thing would happen if I started drinking. So here I am sober as a dog and back from a reggae dancehall night on today (4-20), it was tons of fun! Drinky drink can be fun, but sober can too.

Happy Infection Curing
Anonymous said…
This comment section spans time and space!

Without getting into the effects of alcohol and metro, skipping doses of antibiotics is a really bad idea. To try an analogy here, it would be like if there was a gang you wanted to run out of your neighborhood, so you get heavy artilary and open fire on them screaming, "I gotchu sonsabitches!" You are picking them off one by one and their numbers are reducing, and as you are on your way to victory, you say, "Time out, I need a drink." So you put your guns downs and kick one back. In the meantime, your sworn enemies are calling for backups, maybe even bringing in neighboring gangs to get back at you, and gathering bigger guns. Next thing you know, some fucking virus has you cornered all sneering and shit like, "Antibiotics... Come out and pla-ay.... Antibiotics... Come out and pla-ay."

Ah, I'm on metro three times a day, along with penicilin 3x daily, and desperate for a drink then ended up here looking for encouragement. I won't take a chance. I've decided antibiotics stand out in the warning to not drink. I mean compared to vicodin or something where the label should read, "drinking while taking this medication might be too much fun for you to handle."
Anonymous said…
Great page thanks! At 16h15 yesterday, after a snack, I started my 5 day course of 3 antibiotics: 400mg Metronidazole (brandname Trichazole), 500mg Azithromycin and 100mg Doxycycline. I then had dinner and cracked a beer afterwards, at 18h30. Between 18h30 and 21h30 I slowly drank two regular beers, 5.0% alc. At 23h15 I had a light snack and took another Metronidazole, went to bed 23h45 and woke up fine this morning. No weird alcohol rejection, no weird dreams.

I think it's important to mention that if you're on antibiotics 3 x per day, as I am, you need to divide the 24 hour day by 3 and take the pills 8 hours apart, after food, but not after breakfast, lunch and dinner. My pill routine is +-16h00, +-23h00 and +-08h00.

Skipping a dose, then doubling up etc, is a bad way to take antibiotics, they need to constantly be streaming into your system to attack the bacteria.

This works fine for me, but can't say your reaction will be the same. Just make sure you take these pills straight after food.

Finally, Milkthistle tablets are said to benefit the liver, and according to a few Googles, are sometimes given alongside Metronidazole.
Anonymous said…
update from previous post: I've drunk beer every night on Metro, between 2 and 7 beers a night so far. No problems noted, except that 1 beer feels like drinking 1.5 beers. It's my last night on these tabs, gonna miss my half price beer :-)
Anonymous said…
I love all of you guys :D
I'm on a round of 500mg 3x a day for 7 days. I'm on day 6, & I've been good, but not drinking sucks ass! No wine or beer or sake shots? Come on!
Tomorrow are my last 3. It's my anniversary dinner that night & I'm gunna do it, & have an ill-advised glass of wine! I'll repost to let you know how it goes, & you Stay classy, San Diego.
Anonymous said…
--- San Diego again.
I have to admit, last night was kinda rough. I slowly sipped 1/2 a glass of white wine with dinner. I felt ok at first, but it got bad pretty quick, & I thought I was gunna vomit before we paid the check. Went home & immediately passed out. This was 5 hours after taking my last pill.

It's been over 24 hours now, and I'm drinking as I post this - & I feel awesome. I'm feeling it faster than usual, so I'm just listening to my body & taking it slow.

And, yes, by the way, we know that we are being stupid. We are also completely ok with that.

Good luck out there
Anonymous said…
Took a 2g dose 7 hours ago...and just rinsed my mouth with Mouthwash (with alcohol). Just rinsing with mouthwash seems to have made me dizzy, a little queasy, and feeling hot. Now, how little alcohol absorbs from a freaking mouthwash? Don't drink on this thing!
Anonymous said…
I am writing this as I am sitting on the bathroom floor at 12:30 am. Never drink on this anti biotic. I had drank 3 beers and felt fine. As soon as I ate dinner the nausea set in and it has been downhill since 7p.m. I am in complete and utter agony. I feel like Im dying. :(
Anonymous said…
I have been on a combination of Metronidazole/ Tetracycline and Protonix for 2 weeks. I drink everyday and didn't change my habits. Never really affected me except maybe yesterday after a bit of a bingy birthday weekend. I guess everyone is affected differently, or if you are a regular drinker it won't bother you as much.
BC said…
I got home from the hospital over a week ago, and have been on Metro ever since. I've been wanting to have a few beers for the past few days, and was gonna ignore the doctor's warnings about drinking while on this stuff. After all, they're usually overcautious when it comes to alcohol anyway. I googled this to find out if anyone has drank alcohol with Metro, and to see if it was just bunk. Boy, I'm glad I found this site! No way am I gonna drink while on this antibiotic now! I have another week to go before I'm done, so I'll just wait it out. It's gonna be a long long week!
Anonymous said…
I just thought I'd comment about the 48 hour rule about alcohol, because that's why I came to the site. I didn't even consider drinking while on the med, but I did want a drink the day after I finished the pills. So after taking the last pill at 5 pm on Tuesday I had a 3 glasses of wine at around 8 pm on Wendsday with no side effects whatsoever! Just thought I'd let you all know that 24 hours should be enough time to get it out of your system. Happy drinking all!
Beez said…
Metronidazole is really the devil drug. Having been prescribed it several times for bacterial infections, I'm all too familiar with it. Once in college I made the mistake of drinking 1 day after I'd finished... I woke up the next morning and as soon as my toothbrush hit my tongue I started heaving. Was ungodly sick all day. Another time, waited 2 days after finishing and had wine. The next day was woken up by my stomach dry heaving and could barely make it to the bathroom quick enough to puke all over the place. My heart was pounding, I was having hot flashes, every 15-20 min or so I'd start heaving and have to throw up again for several hours. It was a freakin blast. No, seriously, I almost went to the emergency room.

I hate metro with the fire of a thousand suns but tend to be stuck taking it a couple times a year. I was prescribed it last week for an infection that I ended up not even having. Took my final dose Tuesday at 1pm. It is now Thursday at 1pm - and I want to have some wine tonight. It will probably be at like 56 hours after having finished and I'm not sure if it's safe... but dammit, this demon pill wasn't even necessary this time! I'm 5'1 and 109 pounds - was taking 500mg 2x a day. If I do end up having some wine, I'll report back tomorrow. For science.
Anonymous said…
I am not taking the pills, but the cream. I stopped yesterday because I saw the sign that said IMPORTANT: DO NOT CONSUME ALCOHOL so i stopped taking it and now I am throwing a party tomorrow night. Has anyone drank 48 hours after taking Metro? It is .75% cream.
benjohnston2005 said…
I am on metronidazole 500mg twice a day for 4 days. I have a party tommorrow and I am going to "man-up" and get absolutly wasted.


Usually i drink about 2 bottles of wine to my self and shots over the night from 8pm-3pm

I shall report back on the results on Sunday
Beez said…
So I did end up drinking wine last night (see my prev comment a couple comments ago) and it went fine. I drank slow and did feel a LITTLE bit of stomach pain, but I actually think I was so worried about it that my brains fooled me and just made my stomach hurt. Anyways, I woke up today NOT puking and not wanting to strap myself in a gurney and beg for an IV drip full of help me Jesus, so apparently 50+ hours off the stuff are just dandy. You're welcome, fellow crazy alcoholics.
Anonymous said…
I figured that I drink so much that one glass of wine wouldn't do anything. After two sips I started heating up and getting dizzy...don't know if it was all in my head or not, but i wasn't going to find out. I'd stay off the booze while on this med
Anonymous said…
I'm taking Metro...it's toxic...I will never take this horrible medicine again. Anxiety, hotflashes, dizziness, sharp stomach pains....I can't believe the FDA hasn't pulled this on off the shelves yet
Anonymous said…
I've been taking this med for 5 days now and wanting a drink more then ever. After making it thru Memorial Day weekend I couldn't take it anymore and decided to drink Monday night. I had 2 icehouse and about 5 whiskey and cokes felt pretty good- never did get sick. I would have to say I do drink about everyother day so I don't know if that played a role but I'm with everyone spear I do not want to take these mess again!
Anonymous said…
Just started on this medication... 4 hours in feel dizzy n lightheaded...maybe the wine I had last night (b4 i knew i would be on this medication) started feeling bit better - briefly-then used some Impulse and within seconds felt woozy again...wonder if that the alcohol in it??? Oh well cheaper than the wine lol!!
Anonymous said…
Hi guys, researched the effects of Metronidazole and alcohol after my hideous experience of mixing the two yesterday morning/afternoon. Had taken 3 x 200mg as directed by my dentist, and assumed that I would be not majorly affected by having a couple of beers (of corse I know from common sense that it's not advisable to mix antibiotics and alcohol but having witnessed my friends drinking way more than 2 beers whilst on them, I didnt worry too much). However, this later became evident at 5am that it must not have been Metronidazole that they had been prescribed. I'd endured 12 hours of discomfort altogether including nausea, sweating, dizziness, shortness of breathe -(leading to panic attack), stomach cramping etc. 5 hours consisted of continouous heavy vomitting resulting in me having 3 panic attacks. One panic attack so severe that I had a full body seizure that rendered me unable to move or speak. 24 hours later I am just tired, drained and have extremely sore muscles, sore thorat and head. Got in touch with my doctor who says one of the ingredients is given to alcoholics to prevent them from drinking further. Please don't put yourself through what i went through, it really was very scary and extremely unpleasant.
Anonymous said…
Funny how many have the same predicament here!

Got this for tooth infection along with Amoxicilin, but after reading this I think I will ask the dentist if it's ok not to take this seemingly toxic drug and just go with the amoxy.

I've had two drinks tonight on Metro and do feel a bit strange mostly bad stomach and a bit of dizzyness. Had a bit of elevated heart beat, but that could be psycological. All in all, I don't think it's wise to drink on this drug, but reading about recent studies saying there is no proof of that. Maybe the drug is just toxic in itself?
Anonymous said…
Well I was on a 2x a day for 7 days regime with metronidanzole, I took my last my last pill at 6:00pm today and I had my first glass of wine (in a week) at 7:00 pm..I feel fine and have yet to have any side effects...I was really worried at first about side effects because I drank so soon after but I think I'll tough it out and have another glass. I'm glad that I stumbled upon this blog because for once its not just instructions its actual experiences so now I dont feel so random lol. Alot of these stories is exactly how I was feeling about drinking, because drinking was never an issue until I was told that I couldn't...I was very good with the not drinkingwhile on the meds, but dammit its my last day and i took my last pill so I'm going to enjoy my glasses of wine...if anything changes ill will definitely post them just to help the next person in my predicament :D
Anonymous said…
this is got to be 1 of the funniest blogs ever so many alkys lol right ive been off the metro bus now for 32 hours and on my 3rd pint and im fine so its safe to say after 30 hours ur good to go and have fun ;)
Anonymous said…
Well the other day I read this entire page, and I'll agree it's quite funny. I had the internal struggle to drink or not to drink. Will I get deathly ill? Will my drinking partner need to dial 911 for me? OR Will I have drinks and be just fine. Well I decided to go ahead and test the theory. I had no issues with drinking while on this drug. It was day 5 of 500mg twice a day. I never had a hint of hotflash, no nausea, no vomiting, nothing. I also sadly didn't get buzzed on less alcohol as others had reported. In fact I felt less of a buzz than normal. However I was glad to get the chance to drink with my friend and have a good time. Hope this helps anyone who's reading!
Anonymous said…
I was on metronidazole on my 4th day which was a thursday night when I took my last tablet at around 10PM. I stopped taking my antibiotics so I could drink on saturday night and when I woke up on sunday I had a severe hangover.

I had excessive sweating with huge patches left on my top yet I was freezing cold the whole day & couldn't get warm, blurred vision, slurred speech, hard to concentrate, delusional, felt like I was outside of my body. I did vomit but I ate a mc'donalds cheese burger on the way home at 3am and as soon as I swallowed the last bite, I threw it all up.

I think you should wait longer before drinking alcohol again. As this was my experience, everyone is different.
Anonymous said…
Ok, So I am on my 5th day of Metronidazole... 2 500mg pills a day. 2 nights ago, I mixed half a glass of red wine with club soda... I started to get flushed, but I live in GA, and it's the summer, so I am not sure how much of that was due to the meds. No other side effects with it. HOWEVER, I will try to drink 1 - 2 beers tonight and see how it goes. By the way, I love everyone on this blog.
Anonymous said…
for fucks sake... am going to a music festival on thursday and have just started a weeks worth of metronidazole... seems like a fifty fifty chance of getting ill but if you drink about 8 hours or so after the med you are fine as long as you dont drink much? ...will stop taking the pills whilst im at the festival i think..
Anonymous said…
It's been 58 hours since my last dose. I'm drinking pineapple and rum, so far so good. I was on the Flagyl for 12 days and had all the nasty side effects. I decided I would go ahead and have an alcoholic drink after I drank some water and the nasty metallic taste was gone. All the food I ate and most drinks I had tasted so different while on Flagyl. That freaking drug is the devil!!
Anonymous said…
You should all be questioning if your alcoholics if you cant stay off alcohol for 7 days and for 48 hrs after treatment has finished, really what is 7 days of treatment and 48 hrs after ??
Anonymous said…
I haven't seen anyone talk about the topical gel type of this drug. I have a skin infection and must use the gel for 3 days. The box came with the same warnings about alcohol. Anyone have experience with that? Any side effects? Is it the same as taking the pills by mouth?
Anonymous said…
Hi! Im on 200mg, 3 times a day for a gum infection (7 day course), been on it since monday. Im going out tomorrow night (friday) and plan to drink like a fish as usual. Ill let everyone know how i get on! -Chris
Anonymous said…
Wow. I'm scared to drink. I took 1 500mg tab of metro this morning. Now its almost 7pm and my friends are blowing up my cell phone to go out. Also I am craving wine. We are planning to go to either a strip club or dance club and I am afraid of vomiting on either someones g-string or the dance floor. Geesh.....I should have waited to take this after the weekend!
Anonymous said…
Update on my earlier post last week:

I continued taking my dose as usual - 200mg every 8 hours, having my latest pill at 6pm. (I had already been taking them for 4 days, this was the 5th, and i had 2 days remaining after).
To test my reaction before i went out i had a glass of wine at about 9.30 - felt no ill effects so finished the bottle, and had an additional 3 bottles of beer. Whilst out i had several pints of cider, larger, and several double vodka diet cokes. Felt absolutely no different to usually being drunk.
Got home about 5am and took another pill just before i went to sleep. Woke up the next day not feeling great, but no worse than a usual hangover.
Overall i would say taking these had zero effect on my alcohol tolerance, i felt no side effects whatsoever. - Chris
Anonymous said…
After reading this blog and some other information, I was skeptical about drinking at all while on Metronidazole.

I am 23 years old, recent college grad and subsequently an experienced drinker with a tough stomach. I had a few margaritas and a couple beers tonight after being on metronidazole for a few days and experienced no ill effects.

I still do not advocate going against the advice of medical professionals, all I can say is that this was my experience.
Anonymous said…
Damn this stupid medication!! I've got 2 events this weekend that I really want to drink at (neither one is super crazy, but I like to drink when I'm out because 1. I stay awake longer and 2. Hate being the only sober one when everyone's drinking, oh and 3. I looooove alcohol).

But seriously....If I didn't have events to go to, I would just stay home and take it as the sort of alcohol detox week I've been meaning to do for a long time.

But seriously, when I actually have to be out at events (work event) with an open wine bar?? GUhhh.. how am I gonna survive in my heels all night? :(

And to add insult to injury, I can't have a drink for two days after I'm off the meds? lammeeeeeeee

also, the meds themselves make me super tired/sort of anxious/a bit nauseated, and I've been having insomnia/nightmares since day 2. At least I only have 2 days left. Definitely asking for something different next time.
Anonymous said…
This IS a funny, yet very informative page...I have been on Metro 500mg. 3x daily since Aug.6 (tomorrow is my last dose) and have had absolutely no alcohol. The Dr. & Rx both made it abundantly clear that it is not a good idea. Then heard it was one of the drugs given to alcoholics to make them stop drinking...also that it can cause DeAtH!!! After suffering for 7 months with a horrific bacterial sinus infection, and being on countless other antibiotics, as hard as it has been for me to NOT drink...I must say being able to breathe,taste food, and not have tissue jammed in my nose 24/7 is much better than the alcohol cravings! I am so happy to be well(tomorrow is my last dose)now...it has definately been worth it. And i plan to wait a few days before taking my 1st LONG AWAITED drink. I just keep thinking that it will probably be THE best damn drink i've had in a long time :) oh, and did i mention that tomorrow is my last dose? LOL
Anonymous said…
oh yeah, I have been extrememly itchy while on Metro...benadryl and zyrtec have helped some. The benadryl is wonderful for helping me get to sleep at night sans alcohol!!! Peace out ;)
Anonymous said…
I guess it depends on how strong your constitution is, but I'm on my third day of taking Flagyl (Metronidazole), and I've been drinking Bud Light every night (6-7 of over 6-7 hours), with no ill effects. People without a genetic heritage of alcohol tolerance might want to watch out, though.
Bdub said…
Omgosh this is awesome! I have been going crazy waiting 10 days to drink! I haven't gone 10 days w/o drinking since I turned 21!! (7 days on Metro and tthe doc said to wait 3 days after) I started on a Wed evening and took and extra this Tuesday night to finish them sooner. Tonight (Thursday) will be 48 hours and judging by what the majority of your posts say, I am going to assume that 48 hours after finishing the last dose is ok. Hey, 9 days is better than 10! So glad I am done with these pills so I can get back to my life!! lol
Anonymous said…
500mg 2x a day... on day 3 of an 8 day script... have had horrible vivid nightmares, vomiting, no appetite, hot flashes, and depression- without alcohol. don't risk it- this antibiotic should be illegal.
jaja said…
yay i can drink!...glad i read this blog now (otherwise 2 hours of my life wasted that i'll never get back) I almost considered not drinking tonite -with the 48hr rule after the last pill..so i read that 30 will be just fine :)).. 8 days of abstinence is wayyy tooo much..i tried drinking slowly last nite but started belching and bubbling so stopped :D -don't know how i did it but tonite i shall be rewarded;)
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