It is generally advised to avoid drinking alcohol while taking doxycycline because alcohol can reduce the antibiotic's effectiveness and increase the risk of side effects such as nausea, dizziness, stomach upset, and liver stress. Alcohol may interfere with the body's absorption of doxycycline and impair the immune response, potentially leading to treatment failure or delayed recovery. Both doxycycline and alcohol are processed by the liver, so combining them may increase the risk of liver toxicity. If alcohol is consumed, it is recommended to wait several hours after taking the medication to allow absorption, but the safest approach is to avoid alcohol until the antibiotic course is complete and the infection is cleared. Light or occasional drinking might be less risky in people without liver problems or heavy drinking habits, but caution is still warranted especially if there are risk factors like chronic drinking or liver disease.