Alcohol and Medicine: Not A Good Mix Have you ever been prescribed a medication and instructed not to drink alcohol while taking it? Combining alcohol with certain medicines can change how they affect your body and lead to dangerous side effects. Together, one or both substances may influence you much differently than if they were used separately. This can raise your risk of injury, disease and overdose. If you take any medication, make sure you know how it interacts with alcohol before deciding to drink. Medications that Don’t Mix Well with Alcohol Allergy, Illness and Infection Allergy, Cold and Flu Medicines Allergy, Cold and Flu MedicinesMedications similar to: Benadryl, Claritin, Sudafed, Zyrtec, Clarinex, Tylenol Cold & FluThese over-the-counter medications are used to treat symptoms caused by allergies, colds and the flu. When combined with alcohol, their sedative effects can be more intense. This makes you more likely to become drowsy or dizzy, which could impact your ability to perform certain tasks, like driving. Alcohol can also reduce the medicine’s effectiveness and put you at higher risk of overdose. Antibiotics AntibioticsCommon Names: penicillin, amoxicillin, doxycycline, erythromycin, metronidazole, cephalexinThese medications are prescribed to treat strep throat, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other illnesses caused by bacteria. Drinking alcohol while on antibiotics may cause or worsen side effects. Depending on the medicine, you may experience drowsiness, headaches, increased heart rate, nausea or vomiting. Alcohol consumption can also make some antibiotics less effective and slow your body’s ability to heal. Mental Health and Sleep Antidepressants AntidepressantsMedications similar to: Lexapro, Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Effexor, Pristiq, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, Remeron These medications are prescribed to treat depression and other mental health conditions. Combining alcohol and antidepressants can cause exaggerated side effects, such as drowsiness and dizziness. It may also worsen depression symptoms and increase the risk of overdose. Even consuming a small amount of alcohol while on antidepressants can make the medicine less effective, increase the likelihood of improper use and lead to impulsive behaviors. These factors all raise your suicide risk. Benzodiazepines BenzodiazepinesMedications similar to: Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, Restoril, Prosom, AtivanThese prescription medicines can be used to treat mental health conditions, sleep problems and seizures. When they are taken before or during alcohol use, you are more likely to “black out” while under the influence. Your coordination may also be negatively affected, which increases your risk of falls and car accidents. In serious cases, the combination of benzodiazepines and alcohol causes trouble breathing that can result in death. “Z-Drugs”“Z-Drugs”Medications similar to: Lunesta, Sonata, Ambien, Edluar, ZolpimistThese medications are prescribed to treat sleep problems like insomnia. Drinking alcohol before or during their use may increase the risk and severity of side effects. Your short-term memory and coordination are more likely to be impaired, so you may engage in activities you don’t remember doing afterwards. Depending on the action, this may endanger yourself and others. Pain OpioidsOpioidsCommon Names: hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet), morphine, methadone, fentanylThese medications are prescribed for chronic or severe pain, usually after a procedure or injury. They are also used to help manage long-term health conditions like cancer. Consuming alcohol while on opioids is dangerous, even in small amounts. The combination of substances can make it hard to breathe, which increases your risk of overdose and death. Over-the-Counter Pain RelieversOver-the-Counter Pain RelieversCommon Names: acetaminophen (Tylenol); ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin); naproxen (Aleve); aspirinThese medications are typically taken to reduce mild or moderate pain, such as a headache. They can be split into two groups, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen. NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin. When used at the same time as alcohol, your risk of gastrointestinal bleeding significantly increases. Conversely, drinking alcohol while taking acetaminophen can cause liver damage. There are a variety of medications out there, and many of them interact negatively with alcohol. Make sure you know whether it is safe for you to consume alcohol while taking any substance. If you are unsure, check the medication’s label and/or ask your health care team. Always take prescribed medicines as directed, which includes restricting alcohol if necessary. Remember that everyone is affected by substances differently, so it’s up to you to protect yourself from unnecessary harm! Disclaimer: The mention of brand-name medications in this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or promotion of any specific product. All medications should be used under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional. Additional ResourcesOwn Your Limits - “Check Your Drinking”Own Your Limits - “What to Know About Mixing Alcohol and Medication.”ReferencesAmerican Addiction Centers - “Mixing Antidepressants with Alcohol: Dangers, Risks, and Effects”American Addiction Centers - “Effects of Mixing Alcohol and Cold Medicine.”California Department of Public Health - “Mixing Alcohol with Other Drugs.”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - “Drinking Alcohol While Using Other Drugs Can Be Deadly”Mayo Clinic. - “Is it harmful to drink alcohol while taking antibiotics?”National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. - “Alcohol-Medication Interactions: Potentially Dangerous Mixes.”
