It is best to avoid alcohol while taking metronidazole. Alcohol can cause reactions in addition to the regular side effects of this drug. Some of these reactions can be severe. The typical length. Metronidazole (Flagyl ®, MetroCream ®, MetroGel ®, MetroGel-Vaginal ®, MetroLotion ®, Noritate ®, Vandazole ®) is a prescription antibiotic. You may have heard that you should avoid alcohol while taking metronidazole; otherwise, serious consequences could occur. Although it is not recommended, drinking a beer or small glass of wine while taking Flagyl typically causes minor side effects, like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, in most people. Depending how much alcohol is consumed, a disulfiram reaction resulting from mixing alcohol and Flagyl could last up to two hours. Drinking wine while taking Flagyl, also known as metronidazole, can cause unpleasant side effects. How consistently these side effects will occur is unclear, however. Before starting Flagyl or any other medication, talk to your doctor about potential interactions with alcohol. I would suggest that if someone WERE to drink while taking Flagyl, they should start slowly, and also take into account the reason they're ON Flagyl in the first place; certain bacterial infections might not be bothered by alcohol, but others might. Doctors give trusted answers on uses, effects, side-effects, and cautions: Dr. GIROUX on i drank alcohol while taking metronidazole: You should avoid alcohol while taking this med. Search Sign up free Some of the symptoms of mixing alcohol and Flagyl can include cramps, abdominal pain, headaches, nausea and vomiting. This doesn’t mean that you’re mixing alcohol and Flagyl even at the same time. These symptoms can occur even if you wait several days after taking the medication before drinking. Avoid alcoholic beverages while taking this medication and for at least 1 day (3 days if you are taking the oral capsules) after finishing this medicine because drinking alcohol may result in severe stomach upset/cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache and flushing. Besides, Flagyl can be given rectally if taking it orally doesn't work, which it won't if you skip doses. Also, what's to keep you from skipping a dose often so you can ha … ve a drink. I've been prescribed Metronidazole and instructed to take 500 mg pills three times daily for 10 days. I'm currently on day four of taking this antibiotic.