Doxycycline and Alcohol

by on June 3, 2012

All tetracycline antibiotics (including Doxycycline and the brand names: Oracea, Adoxa, Atridox, Vibramycin) carry an increased risk of side effects when mixed with alcohol. Short term effects of mixing the two include an increased risk for serious side effects like stomach ulcers, jaundice or diarrhea.

In some cases, the use of alcohol while taking medications that contain doxycycline reduces the effectiveness of the medications. This leads to an increased risk of recurring infections or a longer treatment time. People who use alcohol on a daily basis may encounter problems with the liver, and people with compromised liver function due to alcohol may experience difficulty in properly metabolizing doxycycline-containing medications. This results in an increased risk for side effects as well.