I was perscribed Bactrim, an antibiotic usually used for ear
infections and such, to treat my acne. When I go back to college
though, I have every intention of drinking alcohol on the weekends (I
don't drink ridiculously dangerous amounts, but enough to have fun.)
I'm worried about the possible effects of drinking while on this
medication. Will it just decrease the antibiotic's ability to work, or
make me more succeptible to intoxication? Or is it an actually
dangerous combination?

Mbourqui,


Drug Digest provides a nice tool for checking drug interactions.

http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Interaction/ChooseDrugs/1,4109,,00.html


Results:

TRIMETHOPRIM (in Bactrim, Bactrim DS) may interact with ALCOHOL

"Ingesting alcohol while taking trimethoprim may cause side effects
such as flushing, nausea, vomiting, and heart rate disturbances.
Alcohol consumption should be avoided while taking trimethoprim.
Discuss this potential interaction with your healthcare provider at
your next appointment, or sooner if you think you are having
problems."



SULFAMETHOXAZOLE (in Bactrim, Bactrim DS) may interact with ALCOHOL

"Drinking alcohol while taking sulfamethoxazole may cause side effects
such as flushing, nausea, vomiting, and heart rate disturbances.
Alcohol ingestion should be avoided while taking sulfamethoxazole."


http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Interaction/InteractionResults?drug=&drugList=169&cD=169&cD=169&dN=%22Bactrim%22+%22Bactrim+DS%22+&CheckFDA=1



From Consumer Reports on Health:
Drugs that may interact with alcohol 
Bactrim is on the list. 
See effects here:
http://www.consumerreports.org/main/crh/displayc.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=363509&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=363501


Doctors' Answers to "Frequently Asked Questions from Drug Info NEt:

Bactrim and Alcohol 

"Question: 
What, if any, are the adverse and/or side effects if while taking
Bactrim DS for a sinus infection and having the occasional beer/mixed
adult beverage???

Answer: 
Very few if it is only occasional." 
http://www.druginfonet.com/index.php?pageID=faq/new/DISEASE_FAQ/Sinus_Problems.htm


I hope the information provided is helpful!

Best regards, 
Bobbie7


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It's actually a potentially dangerous combination, especially for
people with underlying cardiac issues.  If you're otherwise healthy,
it's probably not a serious medical threat, but it will likely make
you very sick.  Bactrim (well, one of its components) is a sulfa drug,
and has the effect of inhibiting one of the enzymes in alcohol
metabolism.  When you drink, your body quickly develops very high
levels of an intermediary (acetaldehyde) which makes you feel flushed,
can induce nausea and vomiting, high pulse, and widened pulse
pressures.
This article
http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh23-1/40-54.pdf
gives a nice summary of the physiology of alcohol metabolism, if
you're interested, and table 2 lists meds that can cause similar
reactions. (These reactions are called disulfiram-like reactions
because they're similar to, you guessed it, disulfiram, a medicine
used to encourage alcoholics who are trying to stop drinking.  They
take the pill every day, and if they cheat and have a drink, they get
really sick)
I don't think the alcohol will decrease the ability of the antibiotic to work.

Good luck.

Check out
www.bnf.org (you have to register, but it's free)
you can find side effects, indications and interactions for all drugs
in use in the UK.