Levofloxacin Food, Alcohol, Supplements and Drug Interactions

In conclusion, drinking alcohol while taking Levaquin is not recommended. Mixing alcohol and antibiotics can cause serious side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and even liver damage. It is important to always follow the instructions of your doctor when taking any medication, and if you have any questions, it is best to consult your doctor.

Can You Drink Alcohol With Levaquin?

It is always best practice to talk with your doctor before mixing medications and alcohol in order to ensure your safety and health. It is recommended that people taking Levaquin should avoid drinking alcohol altogether while taking the medication. However, if you choose to drink while on this medication it is important to do so in moderation and always follow your doctor’s instructions regarding dosage. Additionally, it is important to be aware that there are certain medications that should not be combined with alcohol at all due to potentially dangerous interactions.

Levaquin disease interactions

• Metronidazole is used for a variety of infections, including stomach or intestine, skin, joint and lung infections.
• Before making online purchases, individuals should be aware of the legal considerations surrounding prescription medications.
• To our knowledge, there are no data available on the PK/PD or efficacy of ethionamide.
• To ensure the best results, you should take it at least two hours before or after taking vitamins, quinapril, antacids and sucralfate.
• Knowing how Levaquin functions helps in understanding why mixing it with alcohol could be problematic.
• One case report documents a 46-year-old male who developed erythema multiforme while receiving ciprofloxacin after consuming alcohol (25).

Understanding the evidence behind this warning is important, given the commonality of prescribing and the diverse classes and various properties of antimicrobials (2). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that approximately 270 million antibiotics were prescribed for outpatients in 2016 (3). In its report on harmful interactions with alcohol, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) listed nitrofurantoin, metronidazole, griseofulvin, ketoconazole, isoniazid, cycloserine, and azithromycin (4).

It is important to remember that mixing alcohol with any medication can have serious consequences. If you are taking Levaquin or any other antibiotic, it is best to avoid drinking alcohol entirely during treatment. If you are unable to abstain from drinking during treatment, you should talk to your doctor about any potential risks and how much is safe for you to drink. Additionally, many antibiotics can exert side effects similar to those of alcohol consumption.

Package labeling for tedizolid alcohol and levaquin reflects no specific dietary limitations for tyramine-containing foods (86). Despite the widespread belief that metronidazole is contraindicated with alcohol consumption, the literature raises doubt. Interaction occurs with unclear frequency, and, when it occurs, it ensues with varying severity.

Levels of Care

• The information on this website is not intended for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
• Not all antibiotics have serious interactions with alcohol, but avoiding alcoholic beverages while you are sick is usually a good idea.
• Most experts agree that mixing both can be potentially dangerous, especially due to levofloxacin interactions with alcohol.
• The National Consumers League and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have also warned consumers to avoid alcohol with linezolid, metronidazole, griseofulvin, and antimycobacterials (5).
• Alcoholic beverages that contain large amounts of tyramine may precipitate a hypertensive crisis (a sudden and severe increase in blood pressure) in patients treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
• This causes the bacterial cells to die and prevents them from multiplying.

One significant aspect to consider is how Levaquin interacts with other substances, particularly alcohol. While many medications have warnings about alcohol consumption, the reasons behind these advisories can vary significantly from one drug to another. Mixing alcohol with Levaquin can increase the risk of side effects and reduce the effectiveness of the medication. Usually alcohol does not affect how well an antibiotic works to fight an infection, but the combination may lead to unpleasant side effects.

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When combined with alcohol, these side effects may be exacerbated, and additional side effects such as disorientation, nervousness, agitation, confusion, memory loss, and attention issues may occur. Alcohol can also negatively impact your energy levels and slow down your recovery. These side effects can be dangerous, especially if the person is operating heavy machinery or performing other tasks requiring concentration and coordination. Additionally, the combination of Levaquin and alcohol can increase the risk of central nervous system issues, such as seizures, especially in individuals with a history of seizures.

The Bottom Line: Can You Drink Alcohol With Levaquin?

Recent data do not support that nitrofurantoin and alcohol causes a disulfiram-like reaction or other adverse reactions/toxicities. In a randomized crossover trial, the effects of whiskey and red wine on the PK of doxycycline for six students was studied (35). Whiskey did not significantly modify the absorption of 200 mg of oral doxycycline. Acute intake of alcoholic beverages does not interfere with the PK of doxycycline to an extent that would affect its therapeutic levels.

Given linezolid’s weaker affinity and reversible MAO enzyme inhibition relative to that of other MAO inhibitors (MAOIs), other authors have investigated the need for a tyramine-restricted diet (81, 84). The pressor responses to an oral tyramine challenge were compared in subjects receiving linezolid or placebo (81). The smallest dose of tyramine resulting in a systolic blood pressure (SBP) increase of at least 30 mm Hg was 100 mg in the linezolid arm (81).

The effects of alcohol on levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and trovafloxacin were studied in a rat pneumonia model (24). The mean serum Cmax and AUC were higher in the ethanol-fed group for all FQs, with a statistically significant difference in the moxifloxacin group. The ethanol-fed group was found to have decreased protein binding and an increased free fraction of antibiotics. Amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid may lead to decreased alcohol consumption.

Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor. Antibiotics are one of the most commonly prescribed and important drug classes in medicine. Rest, drink plenty of fluids (other than alcohol), and be sure to finish all your medication when you have an infection.