Diagnosed With MAC. Taking Ethambutol, Clarithromycin And Rifampicin. Can Alcohol And Smoking Be Done?

Posted on Fri, 25 May 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 25 May 2012 Answered on

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : i have been dianosed with mac and currently on a combination of drugs ethambutol clarithromycin and riampicin. am i able to drink alcohol, use meth(speed) or smoke dope occasionally

Answered by Dr. Sathyadharan Panneer (4 hours later)

Hi,

Thanks for writing in.

There seems to be no drug-to-drug interaction between the anti-tuberculosis drug you are taking and alcohol / methamphetamine / cannabis.

But
1. Alcohol & anti-tuberculosis drugs both affect liver and potentiate hepatitis.
2. Alcohol may potentiate the effects of methamphetamine over heart and brain.
3. Rifampicin decreases the blood levels of clarithromycin and clarithromycin increases the adverse effects of rifampicin.
4. Since cannabis and methamphetamine both act on brain, they are better not to be combined.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E