Is It Safe To Drink Alcohol While Taking Medication?
Alcohol can interact with many common medications, leading to adverse side effects and health consequences. Even in small amounts, alcohol can intensify medication side effects such as sleepiness, drowsiness, dizziness, and light-headedness. This can impair one’s concentration, judgment, and ability to operate machinery or drive a vehicle, increasing the risk of accidents. Alcohol And Medication: A Dangerous Mix According to the CDC, about two-thirds of American adults over age 18 at least occasionally use alcohol. Of these, about 51% are current regular drinkers (defined as at least 12 drinks in the past year), and about 13% are infrequent drinkers (defined as up to 11 drinks in the past year). John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Drinking while you’re taking a prescription or OTC medication may not seem like a big deal. Your brain’s chemical composition keeps an exact balance between inhibition and stimulation. Seizure medications It’s important to note that this list is not exhaustive and may not include every medication you are taking. If you are not sure if you can safely drink alcohol while taking a certain medication, read the label carefully and consult with a pharmacist or doctor. In general, alcohol use has the potential to make symptoms of a mental health condition worse. Alcohol Interactions with Common Prescription Drugs The effects of the mix can be especially serious—if not deadly—when the cough medicine also contains alcohol. If you have a medical condition (such as atrial fibrillation) that puts you at risk for developing a blood clot, your doctor might prescribe anticoagulant medications to “thin” your blood. While these drugs make it less likely your body will form blood clots, they also make you bleed more easily. Certain types of anti-nausea medication can be used to help someone who is trying to stop drinking alcohol. When used is it safe to drink alcohol while taking medication under medical supervision, the combination can be an effective way to treat alcohol withdrawal. Common Challenges & Myths Around Drinking Alcohol with Medications Mild liver inflammation can occur in about 2% of people who take statins for a long time. While it typically gets better after stopping taking the medications, there has been concern that alcohol (which is metabolized by the liver) could potentially make liver inflammation worse. People who drink occasionally may have internal bleeding while taking this medication. Even when two people consume the same amount of alcohol, a woman’s blood alcohol content usually rises more than a man’s. This is because women’s bodies typically contain less water than men’s. But the NIAAA also cautions that combining these prescription-strength sleep aids with alcohol could also lead to impaired motor control, unusual behavior, memory problems, and slowed or difficult breathing. Beyond the examples noted above, alcohol has the potential to interact negatively with many other commonly prescribed medications. It is generally safe to consume moderate amounts of alcohol at the same time as taking moderate amounts of acetaminophen. Older adults don’t metabolize alcohol as quickly as younger adults do, so alcohol stays in their systems longer and has a greater potential to interact with medications. Muscle spasm medications She combines a strong scientific background with compassion and is passionate about empowering people to manage their mental health. Prednisone is a corticosteroid commonly prescribed for a range of conditions, including allergies, autoimmune diseases, and inflammation. Always read the labels of any medications you are taking, paying close attention to the instructions for use, contraindications, and interactions. Muscle relaxants and alcohol both suppress your central nervous system, which controls the functions of your heart, lungs, and brain. “Mixing alcohol with common over the counter anti-inflammatory pain medications like ibuprofen and Naprosyn can cause GI upset, ulcers, and even stomach bleeding,” says Dr. Arthur. Drinking alcohol while taking gabapentin can also increase notable side effects, like sleepiness or dizziness.18 Talk to your doctor before drinking alcohol while taking gabapentin. Alcohol can interact with certain drugs, leading to dangerous side effects and an increased risk of accidents and injuries. Alcohol consumption while on medication is a potentially dangerous combination that can lead to serious health issues, including overdose and even death. Alcohol can interact with many commonly used medications, intensifying side effects such as sleepiness, dizziness, impaired motor control, and abnormal behaviour. It can also increase the risk of adverse events, including falls, driving accidents, and fatal overdoses. Older adults are at a particularly high risk of harm due to age-related changes in their bodies’ response to alcohol and medication, as well as their increased use of medications that could interact with alcohol. It is always best to consult a doctor or pharmacist before consuming alcohol while on medication. For instance, alcohol can increase the plasma levels of propranolol, enhancing its side effects, including dizziness, lightheadedness, and changes in heart rate. Alcohol may also reduce the effectiveness of certain antibiotics and increase the risk of liver toxicity when taken with specific drugs. Some medications pose more serious risks than others, with symptoms ranging from drowsiness and dizziness to liver damage, slowed breathing, and possibly death. Older adults are at a heightened risk of harm from alcohol consumption due to age-related changes in their bodies’ response to alcohol and medication. As people age, their bodies may experience a decline in their ability to metabolise alcohol, leading to increased sensitivity and intoxication. This is caused by a higher fat-to-muscle ratio, reduced liver function, and lower body water content, resulting in a higher blood alcohol concentration. It can also alter the metabolism and pharmacological effects of medications and increase the risk of falls, driving accidents, and fatal overdoses. In closing, combining alcohol with certain medications, particularly those with sedative effects, can increase the risk of adverse events, including falls, driving accidents, and fatal overdoses. 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