You technically can drink alcohol while taking fluconazole, but most medical sources recommend avoiding alcohol or keeping it to a strict minimum because of added liver strain and side effects.

Why alcohol is a concern

Both fluconazole and alcohol are processed by the liver, so using them together can increase the risk of liver irritation or damage, especially if you drink heavily or have existing liver problems. The combination can also worsen common fluconazole side effects such as nausea, stomach upset, dizziness, and headache, and may make you feel generally more unwell.

What most experts advise

Many reputable sources state that there is no strict, direct drug–alcohol interaction, but still advise avoiding alcohol or limiting it to very small amounts while on fluconazole to reduce risks and help your body fight the infection more effectively. If you do drink, keep it to low or moderate amounts (for example, no more than one standard drink) and stop if you notice any symptoms like abdominal pain, dark urine, jaundice, or severe fatigue, and get medical help.

Timing and dose considerations

Fluconazole has a long half‑life (around 30 hours), so it can stay in your system for several days after your last dose, and some guides suggest waiting at least 48 hours to up to about a week after finishing higher‑dose or prolonged courses before drinking to minimize risk. For a single 150 mg dose, an occasional small drink after a couple of days is unlikely to cause serious problems in a healthy adult, but many clinicians still recommend skipping alcohol entirely during that short treatment window.

When you should not drink

Avoid alcohol completely and speak with a clinician promptly if you have known liver disease, heavy or chronic alcohol use, are on high or long‑term fluconazole doses (such as 200 mg daily or more), or develop signs of liver trouble like yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or persistent right‑upper abdominal pain. In these situations, the combination may significantly increase the chance of serious adverse effects.

What you should do

For most people, the safest approach is to avoid alcohol while taking fluconazole and for at least a couple of days after the last dose, longer if on high‑dose or extended therapy. For personalized advice, especially if you have liver problems, take other medications, or drink regularly, contact your doctor or pharmacist before drinking at all during treatment.