Some people think a glass of wine or something stronger helps them relax, and in moderation, alcohol may cause few problems. However, if the individual is taking prescribed medications, over-the-counter drugs or herbal supplements, alcohol can interact with the drug and lead to health problems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes it's best to avoid alcohol when taking medication, because alcohol could decrease or increase the action of the drug. Different types of drugs have different interactions with alcohol.
Allergy Medications
Many allergy drugs are over-the-counter medications. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) says these drugs should not be combined with alcohol because they may cause increased dizziness and drowsiness and a risk for overdose. Common allergy drugs are loratadine, diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine and ceterizine.
Anxiety Medications
Medications to treat anxiety, such as alprazolam, lorazepam and clonazepam, should not be consumed with alcohol. The NIAAA says this combination may cause difficult or slowed breathing, memory problems and impaired motor control. The risk for overdose is also increased.
Diabetes Drugs
Many people with Type 2 diabetes take such drugs as metformin or glyburide to control blood sugar. But if they also consume alcohol, they risk excessively low sugar levels, or hypoglycemia, according to the NIAAA. Very low levels of blood sugar can necessitate hospitalization. The publishers of the Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter say patients taking insulin risk hypoglycemia if they consume alcohol, especially if they drink on an empty stomach.
Antihypertensives
There are many medications for control of high blood pressure, and antihypertensives should not be taken with alcohol, according to the NIAAA. This combination can lead to fainting and heart arrhythmia--changes in the regular beat of the heart. The individual may also experience dizziness and fainting.
Muscle Relaxants
Drugs taken for muscle pain are often sedating, and combining medications such as cyclobenzaprine or carisoprodol with alcohol can lead to further sedation, dizziness and seizures. The person may also have difficult or slowed breathing and develop memory problems.
Narcotic Painkillers
It is dangerous to combine alcohol with narcotic painkillers, such as oxycodone or hydrocodone. The NIAAA says combining alcohol and narcotics can cause unusual behavior, impaired motor control, slowed or difficult breathing and problems with memory. The risk for overdose is serious.
Herbal Preparations
Many people assume herbs are safe because they are natural. However, when combined with alcohol, herbs can cause serious damage. For example, kava kava in concert with alcohol can cause liver damage. Herbal remedies such as lavender, chamomile and valerian cause increased drowsiness when combined with alcohol.
Acetaminophen
Most people have taken acetaminophen for minor pain. But when used to excess, this drug can cause acute liver failure, according to pharmacologist Amy Schilling and colleagues in their January 2010 article on acetaminophen in the "Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine." They note the No. 1 cause of liver failure in the United States is overuse of acetaminophen. They further note about half of all acetaminophen overdoses are unintentional. Many prescribed and over-the-counter drugs contain acetaminophen and thus, taking more acetaminophen in addition to the alcohol, increases the risk for liver damage.
The NIAAA advises against combining acetaminophen with alcohol because alcohol itself causes liver damage and when acetaminophen is used frequently, the risk for liver damage is escalated. Liver failure is serious and the only option with a failed liver is a liver transplant.
Antidepressants
Many different antidepressants treat depression. Combining these drugs with alcohol can cause dizziness, drowsiness and an elevated risk for overdose. The NIAAA notes alcohol in combination with an antidepressant may increase the person's feelings of hopelessness and can increase the risk for suicide among adolescents.
Aspirin and NSAIDs
Individuals taking aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs--NSAIDs--have a risk for gastrointestinal bleeding. The publishers of the Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter say the risk for bleeding is elevated if the patient drinks alcohol, particularly if they are not eating.
References
- National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Harmful Interactions: Mixing Alcohol with Medicines
- "Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine"; Acetaminophen: Old Drug, New Warnings; Amy Schlling, PharmD, et al; January 2010
- Food and Drug Administration: Avoiding Drug Interactions
- Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter: Alcohol-Related Drug Interactions
