It actually isn't. While moderate alcohol consumption is safe with many common antibiotics there are a number where drinking alcohol at the same time can lead to serious complications, hence the blanket prohibition to avoid confusion.

The one's I've heard is the booze stops them working or, the one I prefer... Drinking while taking antibiotics helps you to get drunk faster

You're quoting out-dated research Kosh, I suppose you'll be underpinning the argument of no mobile telephones in A&E next?

Not the one's I am taking, it clearly states on the packet no alcohol...

Depends on which AntiBiotic it is in fact

but in short the Antibiotic is designed to move through the blood to the area in the body where it is to have its desired effect.
The Antibiotic effects then diminish over time, as it is processed (metabolised) and eliminated from the body in due course.
Alcohol behaves in exactly the same fashion, travelling through the bloodstream, before being metabolised and eliminated, primarily by the liver.
The extent to which each dose of any Antibiotic reaches its site of action may be termed its availability. Alcohol can influence the effectiveness of a drug by altering its availability.
A single drink of alcohol or several drinks over some hours will prevent a drug's metabolism by competing with the drug for the same processing sites within the liver thus neutralising the use of the drug.
This type of interaction prolongs the drug's availability, and may increase the risk of side effects from the drug.
Unusual alcohol usage will cause an increase in the liver's ability to process the drug, thus decreasing availability and reducing its effects.

so not an urban myth but depends on which Antibiotic

Correct.

I have a pharmacist in the family, if I am on them I ring and let him know which ones, his answer is either - you will be fine go get trolleyed or You will be violently sick on those.

Apparently thetre is only about 2/3 types which will make you seriosuly ill but to avoid any chance of this they put the blanket warning on them all similar to the peanut warning on majority of chocolates.

Alcohol does not prevent them working, that uis the big urban myth!!!

yet more "facts" from Wikipedia?

Indeed, it's a catch all by the pharmaceutical industry to cover their backsides.

I'm not quoting any research. Antibiotics come in a number of varieties and while most common ones are perfectly OK to mix with alcohol there are some that are not.

So, we're in agreement, fair enough.

Never mind the antibiotics mate, just get stocked up with plenty of flakes and raspberry sauce.

And I'm married to one.

There are actually one or two where alcohol will reduce their effectiveness, but not the generally prescribed ones.