By We Level Up NJ Treatment Center | Editor Yamilla Francese | Clinically Reviewed By Lauren Barry, LMFT, MCAP, QS, Director of Quality Assurance | Editorial Policy | Research Policy | Last Updated: February 16, 2023

Bactrim And Alcohol Interaction

It is not entirely safe to mix Bactrim and alcohol. Alcohol can interact with many medications, including antibiotics such as Bactrim. A standard guideline is that if you are unwell enough to need antibiotics, you should not consume alcohol. However, alcohol is a frequent social element. You may want to drink while on an antibiotic if you attend a wedding, date, or birthday celebration.

Bactrim is a commonly prescribed antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, including those in the ear, urinary tract, and respiratory system. You may know it by its generic name, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, or SMZ-TMP.

While some antibiotics may be taken with moderate alcohol consumption, Bactrim is not one of them. Potentially harmful side effects can occur with Bactrim and alcohol disulfiram reaction.

Bactrim Alcohol Disulfiram Reaction

The potential ‘disulfiram reaction’ between Bactrim and alcohol is controversial as there is little data to support that it occurs with commonly prescribed amounts of Bactrim and reasonable alcohol consumption. Moreover, the reaction is more associated with other drugs, like Flagyl (metronidazole). Nevertheless, the interaction has been reported and must be considered.​ many are also looking into Bactrim and alcohol forums or through “bactrim and alcohol Reddit” discussions. It shows that it is not uncommon for people to mix these drugs.

---

---

Popular Mixing Antibiotics Sulfamethoxazole Trimethoprim And Alcohol (alcohol and Bactrim) FAQs

It is important to consult your doctor before combining alcohol and Bactrim DS to ensure you understand what risks you may be taking.

Bactrim Side Effects

Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) is an antibiotic that is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Like all medications, Bactrim can cause side effects, although not everyone who takes the medication will experience them.

Common side effects of Bactrim may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Loss of appetite
• Rash

Less common side effects of Bactrim may include:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Muscle or joint pain
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath

If you experience any of the above Bactrim side effects while taking the antibiotic, contact your healthcare provider. It is important to tell your healthcare provider about all medications you are taking, as well as any allergies you have, to help prevent potential interactions or allergic reactions.

In rare cases, Bactrim side effects can be serious, including:

• Allergic reactions (rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat)
• Blood disorders (anemia, low white blood cell count, low platelet count)
• Liver damage
• Severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis)
• Pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs)
• Kidney damage

If you experience any of these atypical Bactrim side effects, stop applying Bactrim and seek medical attention immediately.

How Does Alcohol Impact Infections And Healing?

Many people know excessive drinking can harm the liver and other vital organs. However, another less obvious body system vulnerable to the adverse effects of alcohol is the immune system. Because of alcohol’s effects on the immune system, people who drink excessively are at increased risk of contracting infectious diseases, may have more complications after surgery, and often take longer to recover from an illness than those who drink at lower levels. Disruptions in immune system function also contribute to organ damage associated with alcohol consumption.

How Does Alcohol Interacts With Antibiotics?

Even though there are warnings not to consume alcohol on most antibiotic packaging, it is a common misconception that drinking while on these medications is a relatively safe practice. One of the most frequently asked questions that doctors get regarding prescription antibiotics is, “is it safe to drink on these?” The short answer is no – alcohol directly inhibits antibiotics’ effectiveness and can cause many adverse side effects.

Drinking any amount of alcohol while you’re fighting an infection may not be wise, as it can lead to dehydration, interrupt normal sleep, and may hinder your body’s natural ability to heal itself. In addition, some antibiotics can have a hazardous interaction with alcohol, so it’s essential to check with your doctor or pharmacist.

A few antibiotics — such as metronidazole (Flagyl), tinidazole (Tindamax), and sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim) — should not be mixed with alcohol because this may result in a more severe reaction. Drinking any amount of alcohol with these medications can result in side effects such as flushing, headache, nausea and vomiting, and rapid heart rate.

Also, the antibiotic linezolid (Zyvox) interacts with certain alcoholic beverages, including red wine and tap beer. Drinking these beverages with this medication can cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure.

The Dangers Of Mixing Alcohol And Antibiotics

Bactrim DS and alcohol have individual side effects that impact an individual’s behavior and mental state. Because of this, the two should never be mixed. A handful of antibiotics can cause violent physical reactions when combined with alcohol. These include Metronidazole and Linezolid, commonly prescribed to treat intestinal tract and skin infections, and the sulfonamide medications of Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim (Bactrim), which are used to treat everything from urinary tract infections to pneumonia to ear infections.

Consuming alcohol while taking these drugs can result in severe fatigue, throbbing headache, dizziness, anxiety, chest pain, and heart palpitations. Alcohol can also worsen digestive side effects and turn into blood or mucus in stool, severe diarrhea, intense stomach cramping or pain, fever, and uncontrollable vomiting. Mixing alcohol with certain antibiotics can also damage vital organs, including the liver. The kidneys are responsible for removing toxins, including medications, from the blood and body through urine. Antibiotics can overburden and damage kidneys, and alcohol exacerbates this.

In addition to all of the debilitating side effects detailed above, alcohol can also hinder specific immune system processes and have a negative impact on the body’s ability to recover from an infection.

Bactrim And Alcohol Reaction

In terms of when it would be safe to drink alcohol after taking Bactrim, the drug is rapidly absorbed after taking a dose by mouth, with most of the medication being immersed within a few hours. If you want to avoid consuming alcohol while Bactrim is absorbed from your stomach/GI tract, 3-4 hours seems to be that upper limit. This may help prevent any nausea or vomiting the combination might bring about.

Bactrim has a half-life of 8-12 hours (half-life refers to the time it takes your body to reduce the concentration of the drug by 50%), meaning it would take a few days at least for the entire drug to be metabolized and out of your system. If you want to avoid alcohol and Bactrim simultaneously in your body, wait at least three days. Waiting for this period will significantly reduce the risk of any reaction.

Consuming Bactrim and alcohol does not usually result in death. However, it would be best if you remembered that drinking alcohol excessively makes a person’s immune system weaken. It can be addictive and can cause death. In addition, there are side effects associated with combining Bactrim and alcohol.

Someone who has become dependent on or addicted to a drug or alcohol should seek professional assistance. Prescription drug treatment programs are designed to support drug and alcohol-dependent individuals medically.

During your rehabilitation, the We Level Up NJ treatment facility staff will help you identify what caused your dependency and abuse and teach you skills that will help you change your behavior patterns and challenge the negative thoughts that led to your addiction. 

The We Level Up NJ addiction treatment center provides proper care with round-the-clock medical staff to assist your recovery through our medically-assisted Bactrim and alcohol detox program. So, reclaim your life. Call us to speak with one of our treatment specialists. Our counselors know what you are going through and will answer any of your questions.

3 Most Bactrim and Alcohol Frequently Asked Questions