Mixing alcohol with medication, whether prescription or over-the-counter, can be riskier than most people realise.
How the interaction happens
Alcohol affects the balance of chemicals in the brain that regulate inhibition, which is why it can cause impaired coordination, slurred speech, dizziness and drowsiness. Many medications share some of these same effects, and combining the two can amplify them well beyond what either would cause alone. Alcohol can also change how a medication is absorbed, broken down, or how effective it remains.
Some specific risks
- Combining alcohol with certain ADHD medications may increase strain on the heart.
- Alcohol with ibuprofen or other NSAIDs can raise the risk of stomach irritation and bleeding.
- Alcohol can speed up the breakdown of medicines like opioids and anti-seizure medications, making them less effective.
- Alcohol combined with paracetamol can, in some circumstances, increase the risk of liver complications.
At its most serious, combining alcohol with sedating medications can affect your ability to safely drive or operate machinery. If in doubt, don't.
Who's at higher risk?
Older adults tend to metabolise medications more slowly and are often on multiple medications at once, increasing the chance of an interaction. Women and people with smaller body sizes can reach a higher blood alcohol concentration from the same amount of alcohol, due to typically having less water in the body to dilute it.
What to do
Medications that shouldn't be mixed with alcohol usually carry a clear warning on the packaging, and your pharmacist will generally flag it when dispensing. If you're unsure about a specific medication, or thinking about drinking while on a new prescription, it's always worth checking with your pharmacist or doctor first.
