Regrettably, due to that continuing problem with some of my teeth that some of you know about, I am now on a course of taking both ampicillin and metronidazole.

Metronidazole is closely related to the basic components of antabuse, the drug used to prevent alcoholics from drinking (some might say there was some justice in there).

The relationship of metronidazole with alcohol can be summarised: -

"Consuming ethanol (alcohol) while using metronidazole causes a disulfiram-like reaction with effects that can include nausea, vomiting, flushing of the skin, tachycardia (accelerated heart rate), shortness of breath, and even death.[5] Consumption of alcohol should be avoided by patients during systemic metronidazole therapy and for at least 24 hours after completion of treatment.[1] However, the mechanism of this reaction in the clinical setting has recently been questioned by some authors,[6][7] and a possible central toxic seratonin reaction for the alcohol intolerance suggested.[8]"

I am therefore off alcohol - although the course will be over in time for me to drink on the 1st May and at Sweeps.

So I may well not be very jovial company on Friday or Saturday.