If you had an alcoholic beverage and are not sure if you should take an OTC pain reliever, you can ask a local pharmacist or primary care provider if it is safe to do so. Having an alcoholic drink while you are taking medications to treat prostate conditions can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. One ingredient in some cough suppressants called dextromethorphan (DXM) can be especially dangerous because it can cause extreme sedation and respiratory depression. Some research has found that alcohol does not appear to worsen liver inflammation in certain people who take medication for their cholesterol. A 2006 Harvard study found that moderate alcohol use did not have a significant negative effect on the livers of men taking statins after heart surgery. It’s possible that if you use them together, antibiotics may be less effective at clearing up the infection that you are being treated for.
Older people also are more likely to take a medication that interacts with alcohol—in fact, they often need to take more than one of these medications. Some medicines that you might never have suspected can react with alcohol, including many medications which can be purchased “over-the-counter”—that is, without a prescription. Even some herbal remedies can have harmful effects when combined with alcohol. Medications used to treat insomnia or help you fall and stay asleep should never be mixed with alcohol. The sedating effect of these drugs can be increased by alcohol, leading to slowed or impaired breathing, impaired motor control, abnormal behavior, memory loss, and fainting.
- However, even medications that don’t require a prescription can be unsafe when mixed with alcohol.
- However, most negative side effects occur due to excessive consumption of both.
- However, it’s always best to consult with your doctor or pharmacist for more specific instructions on alcohol consumption and medication management.
- Some medications—including many popular painkillers and cough, cold, and allergy remedies—contain more than one ingredient that can react with alcohol.
- Instead, she advises rehydrating your body with water and plenty of electrolytes as treatment options for a hangover.
Medicines may have many ingredients
NSAIDs have anti-inflammatory properties to reduce inflammation for conditions like tooth pain, backache or menstrual cramps; they can also lower a fever. Acetaminophen does not have anti-inflammatory properties but is very useful to reduce mild pain, fever and for headaches.
Older people face greater risk
These drugs can also make the effects of alcohol more intense, leading to impaired judgment and sedation. If you have diabetes, drinking alcohol can affect your blood sugar levels. Here is a short list of the most common prescription and OTC drugs that can pose a risk to your health if mixed with alcohol, as well as what can happen if the substances are combined.
We provide links to resources to help you mitigate these risks, including a consensus-developed list of potentially serious alcohol-medication interactions in older adults. One of the deadliest combinations is alcohol and narcotic pain medications. On their own, opioids can cause drowsiness, dizziness, slowed or impaired breathing, impaired motor control, abnormal behavior, and memory loss. On its own, alcohol can impact the body in many significant ways, altering your brain chemistry and depressing your nervous system. But drinking alcohol when you’re also taking pain medication can intensify its impact and cause dangerous, unexpected side effects, including organ damage, loss of consciousness, and even death. All are signs of an alcohol-related injury or a potentially dangerous drug-drug interaction.
When individuals mix pain relievers and alcohol, the potential for adverse effects increases significantly. It is crucial for anyone who has combined these substances to seek medical advice. Healthcare professionals can evaluate the situation and provide guidance tailored to the individual’s health needs. There are hundreds of prescription and over-the-counter medications that are not safe to mix with alcohol. The dangers of mixing alcohol with medications can range from increased side effects to potentially life-threatening symptoms, overdose, and even death.
Be especially careful with any drug or multi-symptom remedy containing acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Antipsychotics may be prescribed for people with conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine.
Different Types of Painkillers
Drinking alcohol while using opioids comes with many risks, including slower breathing, impaired judgment, and potentially overdose and death. In combination with alcohol, acetaminophen can cause side effects or severely damage the liver. This can also be the case when people who drink alcohol regularly take too much of this medication. Understanding the effects of pain killers and alcohol is crucial in preventing potential harm.
Consuming alcohol while using pain relief medications can maverick house lead to excessive strain on the liver, resulting in serious health complications over time. Beyond the examples noted above, alcohol has the potential to interact negatively with many other commonly prescribed medications. The resources below can help alert you and your patients to important potential risks.
Similarly, ibuprofen can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding and kidney damage, particularly in individuals who misuse it or consume alcohol regularly 1. It can lead to liver damage, gastrointestinal bleeding, and even death. If you are taking painkillers, it is important to avoid alcohol or to drink it in moderation.
Treatment Options for Overlapping Effects of Pain Killers and Alcohol
When pain killers and alcohol are consumed together, their combined depressant effects can intensify, leading to severe consequences. Pain killers, also known as analgesics, are medications commonly used to alleviate pain. They work by targeting the body’s pain receptors, providing relief to individuals experiencing discomfort.
