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Medicine × alcohol quick check

Can I take this medicine after drinking?

Search a medicine in English or 中文. See whether to avoid alcohol, why it matters, whether drink type changes the answer and what to do next.

Checked against medicine labels and authoritative clinical guidanceSearch stays in this browser — nothing is saved or uploadedClinical information reviewed: 30 July 2026

Medicine × alcohol quick check

Start with the medicine or active ingredient

Most risk comes from ethanol and amount. A few medicines—including linezolid, MAOIs and warfarin—need extra drink-type context.

Or browse by category

Quick-filter 40 common medicines and groups

A green dot does not mean “cleared to drink”. It only means no specific alcohol interaction is known; illness and medicine side effects still matter.

Avoid alcoholUse cautionNo specific interaction knownCheck exact ingredients

Common questions

Clear answers to the easy-to-misread parts

Does alcohol interact with every antibiotic?

No. Amoxicillin, azithromycin, many common cephalosporins and ciprofloxacin usually have no specific alcohol reaction, although alcohol may worsen nausea, dizziness or dehydration. Metronidazole, tinidazole and a few special medicines require clear avoidance.

Is beer, wine or spirits safer?

For most interactions, ethanol is the issue, so switching drinks does not make a high-risk combination safe. Linezolid and MAOIs are important exceptions: tyramine in fermented drinks such as tap beer and red wine can cause a dangerous blood-pressure rise.

Can I just wait a few hours after drinking?

Except where a label gives a clear interval, there is no universal hour-count. Amount, drinking speed, food, liver and kidney function, drug half-life and other medicines all matter. This tool does not replace that judgment with a false-precision countdown.

What if I already mixed the medicine and alcohol?

Stop drinking more; do not double doses, make yourself vomit or drive. Call 995 for reduced consciousness, abnormal breathing, seizure, collapse, chest pain, severe confusion, vomiting blood or black stools. If it is not an emergency but a dose is due, contact a pharmacist or prescriber.

Sources and limits

Traceable guidance, not an open-ended AI guess

Key conclusions are cross-checked against product labels, NIAAA, NHS and Singapore HealthHub guidance. The database covers common medicines and groups, but cannot include every brand, herb, supplement or combination product.

Important: This tool provides general health education, not personal clearance to drink. Do not stop, skip or change a medicine so you can drink. Confirm prescription medicines with the prescriber or a pharmacist.