can you drink on penicillin

It is generally safe to drink alcohol in moderation while taking penicillin, as alcohol does not reduce the effectiveness of penicillin nor typically cause harmful interactions. However, consuming alcohol while on penicillin may slow the absorption rate of the antibiotic and can potentially increase side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, and stomach upset. More importantly, alcohol can impair the body's ability to recover from infection and may delay healing, so it is often recommended to avoid alcohol until the course of antibiotics is completed and the illness has subsided. For the best advice, always consult with the prescribing doctor or pharmacist about drinking alcohol while on penicillin. Moderate drinking (e.g., a glass of wine) is generally not harmful but drinking heavily or frequently is not advised during treatment with penicillin.