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FAQ: Can I drink alcohol once in a while if I have hepatitis C?

for Veterans and the Public

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I drink alcohol once in a while if I have hepatitis C?



Here is some helpful information about alcohol and hepatitis:

  • No one knows exactly what amount of alcohol is "safe" when you have hepatitis C. Some small amounts of alcohol may be safe while you have hepatitis C and have mild damage in the liver, but if you have cirrhosis, then no amount of alcohol is safe and you should not drink at all.
  • All forms of alcohol can be damaging. In other words, beer and wine are not "safer" than whiskey.
  • One drink is usually defined as 1 shot (1 1/4 ounces) of whiskey or other liquor, 1 4-ounce glass of wine, or 1 12-ounce can of beer.
  • If you are taking treatment for hepatitis C, you cannot drink alcohol during the treatment.
  • If you have severe scarring (cirrhosis), then you should not drink any alcohol at all.