Interactions between trimethoprim and Alcohol (ethanol)
Moderate Drug-Drug Interaction trimethoprim and ethanol (Moderate Drug-Drug)
GENERALLY AVOID: Two cases have been reported in which patients on sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim therapy, after consuming beer, reported flushing, heart palpitations, dyspnea, headache, and nausea (disulfiram - alcohol type reactions). The proposed mechanism is inhibition of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase resulting in acetaldehyde accumulation.
MANAGEMENT: Patients should be alerted to the potential for this interaction, and advised to avoid alcohol while taking sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim.