Can You Have Coffee with Antibiotics? Here's What You Need to Know

When it comes to antibiotics, many people are unaware that there are strict rules you simply can’t ignore.

There are several types of antibiotics, and while we won’t delve into the differences here, it’s crucial to continue taking them for the duration recommended by your doctor—even if you feel better partway through the course. Stopping early can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria development.

What dose should you take antibiotics in?

Only the dose prescribed by your doctor.

When should you take your antibiotics each day?

If prescribed one pill a day, it's best to take it during waking hours, ideally in the morning.

If prescribed two pills a day, make sure to space them out evenly, with at least a 12-hour gap between the first and last dose.

If you're on a three-times-a-day regimen, the intervals between doses should be 8 hours.

Is it okay to drink coffee close to the time you take antibiotics?

No, and we were just as surprised by this negative answer. It relates to the absorption rate and effectiveness of the antibiotic in your body. Drinking coffee or consuming chocolate and dairy products immediately after taking antibiotics (especially tetracyclines) prevents the pill from being properly absorbed and achieving its purpose. To avoid this, wait at least two hours before enjoying your coffee or that piece of chocolate you’ve been craving, even if it's dark chocolate.

If in doubt about what to do, consult your doctor or pharmacist to clarify whether you can take your medication with food, drink coffee, or consume dairy products and more.