Can You Drink Alcohol With Macrobid (Nitrofurantoin)?
Key takeaways:
Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) and alcohol don’t directly interact. But it’s ideal to avoid drinking alcohol while taking any antibiotic, Macrobid included.
Alcohol can make antibiotics like Macrobid less effective. This is because it irritates the bladder and makes it harder to heal from an infection. Alcohol can also worsen antibiotic side effects, potentially making you feel worse.
Having an occasional drink while taking Macrobid is likely OK overall. But you should be aware of the risks. Reach out to a healthcare professional if you have questions about drinking alcohol with Macrobid.
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The weekend is almost here. You’ve been looking forward to having a few cocktails with friends. But then you experience all-too-familiar symptoms. It’s painful to pee and your urine is looking a little cloudy.
After a quick visit to see your primary care provider, it’s just what you suspected: a urinary tract infection (UTI). You walk out with a prescription for Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) and a sinking feeling that this might ruin your weekend fun. But you might be wondering, since you’re taking the antibiotic, is it OK to go have a few drinks?
Here, we’ll discuss whether you can drink alcohol while taking Macrobid.
Other Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) interactions: Alcohol aside, here’s what else can interact with Macrobid.
Alternative treatments for urinary tract infections (UTIs): Macrobid and Macrodantin, another brand-name version of nitrofurantoin, aren’t your only treatment options. Explore alternative antibiotics for UTIs.
Ready to quit? Learn about medications that can help you stop drinking if you’re having trouble quitting on your own.
Can I take Macrobid with alcohol?
Technically, yes, you can drink while taking Macrobid. People used to think that Macrobid could cause a reaction to alcohol. Combining the substances was linked to symptoms such as nausea, sweating, and an irregular heartbeat. But newer information suggests that’s not actually the case. There aren’t any reports of true Macrobid-related reactions to alcohol.
Is having 1 or 2 drinks OK?
It’s likely safe to have 1 or 2 drinks while taking Macrobid. But just because you can drink alcohol with Macrobid doesn’t mean you should. In general, it’s a good idea to avoid drinking alcohol while you’re trying to recover from an infection.
How does alcohol interact with Macrobid?
Again, alcohol doesn’t directly interact with Macrobid. But it could indirectly affect how well the antibiotic works.
Alcohol interferes with your immune system’s ability to fight off an infection. This means it could take longer for Macrobid to treat your UTI, or it may not work at all.
Alcohol can also irritate your bladder. Alcohol makes you pee more often, which could lead to dehydration and worsen your UTI. What’s more, Macrobid is removed from the body by the kidneys. If you’re dehydrated, your kidney function could slow down, causing the medication to build up in your body. This would increase your chances of experiencing Macrobid side effects.
Speaking of side effects, Macrobid can cause nausea, headaches, and diarrhea. On its own, alcohol can also cause these side effects, so combining the two could make them worse.
Lastly, don’t forget that more and more research is suggesting that no amount of alcohol is safe to drink. Drinking alcohol has been linked to a higher risk of cancer, heart disease, and dementia, among other conditions.
When can I start drinking after taking Macrobid?
There’s no hard-and-fast rule for how soon you can start drinking alcohol after taking Macrobid. But it’s best to wait until after you’ve finished the entire round of Macrobid and your UTI symptoms have cleared up.
However, if you have preexisting kidney problems, you should ask a healthcare professional for a specific recommendation on timing.
Frequently asked questions
In general, alcohol may curb the effectiveness of any UTI antibiotic. This is due to alcohol’s effects on the immune system and kidneys. Alcohol can also make gut-related side effects worse. Reach out to a healthcare professional if you have an alcohol-related question while taking an antibiotic.
Caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, and soda can make you need to pee more often. This may contribute to dehydration and bladder irritation, which can worsen a UTI. Even caffeine-free sodas and diet sodas can be bothersome when you’re having bladder problems. You don’t have to completely avoid these drinks if you have a UTI, but limiting how many you have may make you feel more comfortable. Try staying hydrated with water, low-sugar electrolyte drinks, and unsweetened cranberry juice instead.
Macrobid starts working within a few hours. But it may take anywhere from 5 to 7 days for the medication to fully clear up your UTI. Be sure to take the full amount of Macrobid that you’re prescribed, even if your symptoms completely disappear. Stopping treatment too early can make Macrobid less effective in the future.
Macrodantin is a different version of nitrofurantoin. If you’re prescribed Macrodantin, the same recommendations around drinking alcohol apply.
The bottom line
Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) is an antibiotic that treats urinary tract infections (UTIs). Macrobid and alcohol don’t directly interact, but it’s best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking any antibiotic. Alcohol can make UTI antibiotics less effective by irritating the bladder and making it harder to heal from an infection. Alcohol can also worsen certain Macrobid side effects, potentially making you feel worse.
That being said, having an occasional drink while taking Macrobid is likely safe overall. But make sure you’re aware of the risks and reach out to your healthcare professional if you have any questions.
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References
Almatica Pharma. (2023). Macrodantin - nitrofurantoin macrocrystals capsule [package insert]. DailyMed.
Mergenhagen, K. A., et al. (2020). Fact versus fiction: A review of the evidence behind alcohol and antibiotic interactions. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.
National Institute on Aging. (2022). 15 tips to keep your bladder healthy. National Institute of Health.
Office of the Surgeon General. (2025) Alcohol and cancer risk. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
RemedyRepack. (2024). Macrobid - nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystalline capsule [package insert]. DailyMed.
World Health Organization. (2023). Anti-microbial resistance.
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