There is no specific recommendation against combining clarithromycin and alcohol, although patients may want to avoid excessive drinking as a general medical precaution. While some medications can interact with alcohol to metabolize at different rates, this is not among them; social drinking shouldn’t cause any additional health risks while taking clarithromycin. Patients who notice a bad reaction when they take clarithromycin with alcohol can discuss it with a doctor to determine if they should stop drinking for the duration of treatment. It may also be explained by another interaction, like a different medication that interferes with the action of the antibiotic.
Studies on clarithromycin and alcohol show no sign of adverse interactions between the two. The medication should remain effective, with appropriate concentration levels in the body, and will be excreted normally. One potential issue is that this antibiotic has a history of mild interaction with grapefruit juice, which can disrupt metabolism. People who drink cocktails with grapefruit juice could potentially experience a problem and may want to avoid grapefruit products as long as they are on clarithromycin.
Patients shouldn’t skip a dose of this antibiotic because they’ve had something to drink, since it’s important to keep the levels in the body as consistent as possible and there's no immediate risk with combining clarithromycin and alcohol. People should try to take their doses around the same time each day, and it can help to carry a pill box to make sure it will be available at the right time. If a patient vomits after taking clarithromycin, a doctor or pharmacist can provide information on whether to repeat the dose or wait until the next one, based on how long it’s been and what the patient had to eat. It may have metabolized enough that the patient got the benefit of the dose and taking another could result in an overdose.
Excessive drinking can be a problem not necessarily because there’s a specific issue with clarithromycin and alcohol but because it is linked with other health issues. Patients who drink heavily and have trouble controlling alcohol intake can be at risk of complications including injuries as a result of poor decisions, malnutrition, and liver damage. People who are not sure about whether they have a drinking problem can use a self-assessment tool or talk to a doctor to learn more. A health care provider can also offer advice and information on drinking cessation options.