You can have a small amount of wine while taking amoxicillin, but it is safer to limit or avoid alcohol until you finish the course and feel better.

Safety and interactions

• Amoxicillin does not have a direct dangerous interaction with alcohol, so a single glass of wine usually will not stop the antibiotic from working.

• However, both alcohol and amoxicillin can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and stomach upset, and drinking can make these symptoms more likely or more intense.

Effect on healing

• Alcohol can weaken the immune system and cause dehydration, which can slow your recovery from the infection you are treating with amoxicillin.

• Because of this, many health sources and clinicians recommend avoiding or minimizing alcohol while you are on antibiotics so your body can heal as quickly and comfortably as possible.

Practical advice

• If you choose to drink, keep it to a small amount (for example, one standard glass of wine), drink plenty of water, and avoid drinking if you already feel unwell from the infection or the medication.

• Do not drink at all if you have liver disease, are on other medicines that interact with alcohol, are pregnant, or your own doctor or pharmacist has told you to avoid alcohol.

• If you feel worse (more dizzy, very nauseated, or unable to keep the medicine down) after drinking, stop drinking and contact a healthcare professional for personal advice.