Drinking alcohol while on Macrobid won’t necessarily render the medication ineffective but there are risks to combining the two.

Macrobid is an antibiotic prescribed to treat bacterial bladder infections (cystitis) or urinary tract infections. Macrobid is a brand name, and the generic name is nitrofurantoin monohydrate and microcrystals. 

People frequently wonder whether or not they can drink alcohol and beer on Macrobid or antibiotics in general. There’s no definitive answer to “can you drink alcohol and beer while on Macrobid,” it’s really a question your doctor will have to answer for your specific situation. 

Risks to Drinking While Taking Macrobid

One reason to consider avoiding alcohol and beer while on Macrobid is because drinking can dehydrate you. This can be a problem when your body is struggling to combat a urinary tract or bladder infection.

There is also the possibility that if you drink alcohol and beer while on Macrobid, it can worsen the side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and headache that are commonly reported when people take Macrobid.

Will Alcohol Cause Macrobid to be Ineffective? 

There is a myth that drinking alcohol and taking antibiotics will make the medicine ineffective, and while this isn’t necessarily true, it’s important that you do know the possible risks and use caution.

Most doctors and medical professionals do agree that drinking alcohol and beer while on Macrobid won’t necessarily render the medication ineffective. A lot of times people think combining alcohol and Macrobid is making their medicine ineffective, but what’s really happening is that drinking alcohol while having a bacterial infection is diminishing their body’s ability to fight the infection.

When you have an infection, your body needs proper nutrition and rest in order to fight it. If you’re drinking, these processes can be interrupted. For example, excessive drinking can interfere with sleep patterns, and if you don’t get quality rest, you may be fighting the infection for longer.

Summing Up…

When it comes to deciding whether you should drink alcohol while on Macrobid, you should speak with your doctor. Your doctor can advise you based on your individual medical history and other medicines you’re taking. For example, if you have a history of liver problems, your doctor may say absolutely no alcohol while on Macrobid.

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The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.