What Happens If You Drink Alcohol While Taking Prescription Or Over-The-Counter Medicine?

Mixing alcohol with certain medications can cause nausea and vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, fainting, or loss of coordination. It also can put you at risk for internal bleeding, heart problems, and difficulties in breathing.

What happens if you drink alcohol while taking over the counter medicine?

Timing is important – Alcohol and medicines can interact harmfully even if they are not taken at the same time. Mixing alcohol and medicines puts you at risk for dangerous reactions. Protect yourself by avoiding alcohol if you are taking a medication and don’t know its effect.

Commonly Used Medicines (Both Prescription and Over-the-Counter) That Interact With Alcohol

Symptom/Disorders	Medication (Brand name)	Medication (Generic name)	Some possible reactions with alcohol
Allergies/Colds/Flu	Alavert®	Loratadine	Drowsiness, dizziness; increased risk for overdose
Atarax®	Hydroxyzine
Benadryl®	Diphenhydramine
Clarinex®	Desloratadine
Claritin®, Claritin-D®	Loratadine
Dimetapp® Cold &Allergy	Brompheniramine
Sudafed® Sinus & Allergy	Chlorpheniramine
Triaminic® Cold & Allergy	Chlorpheniramine
Tylenol® Allergy Sinus	Chlorpheniramine
Tylenol® Cold & Flu	Chlorpheniramine
Zyrtec®	Cetirizine
Angina (chest pain), coronary heart disease	Isordil®	Isosorbide Nitroglycerin	Rapid heartbeat, sudden changes in blood pressure, dizziness, fainting
Anxiety and epilepsy	Ativan®	Lorazepam	Drowsiness, dizziness; increased risk for overdose; slowed or difficulty breathing; impaired motor control; unusual behavior; memory problems
BuSpar®	Buspirone
Klonopin®	Clonazepam
Librium®	Chlordiazepoxide
Paxil®	Paroxetine
Valium®	Diazepam
Xanax®	Alprazolam
Herbal preparations (Kava Kava)		Liver damage, drowsiness
Arthritis	Celebrex®	Celecoxib	Ulcers, stomach bleeding, liver damage
Naprosyn®	Naproxen
Voltaren®	Diclofenac
Attention and concentration (Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder)	Adderall®	Amphetamine/dextro-amphetamine	Dizziness, drowsiness, impaired concentration (methylphenidate, dexmethylphenidate); possible increased risk for heart problems (amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine); liver damage (atomoxetine)
Concerta®, Ritalin®	Methylphenidate
Dexedrine®	Dextroamphetamine
Focalin®	Dexmethylphenidate
Strattera®	Atomoxetine
Vyvanse®	Lisdexamfetamine
Blood clots	Coumadin®	Warfarin	Occasional drinking may lead to internal bleeding; heavier drinking also may cause bleeding or may have the opposite effect, resulting in possible blood clots, strokes, or heart attacks
Cough	Delsym®, Robitussin Cough®	Dextromethorpan	Drowsiness, dizziness; increased risk for overdose
Robitussin A–C®	Guaifenesin + codeine
Depression	Abilify®	Aripriprazone	Drowsiness, dizziness; increased risk for overdose; increased feelings of depression or hopelessness (all medications); impaired motor control (quetiapine, mirtazapine); increased alcohol effect (bupropion); liver damage (duloxetine) Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as tranylcypromine and phenelzine, when combined with alcohol, may result in serious heart-related side effects. Risk for dangerously high blood pressure is increased when MAOIs are mixed with tyramine, a byproduct found in beer and red wine
Anafranil®	Clomipramine
Celexa®	Citalopram
Clozaril®	Clozapine
Cymbalta®	Duloxetine
Desyrel®	Trazodone
Effexor®	Venlafaxine
Elavil®	Amitriptyline
Geodon®	Ziprasidone
Invega®	Paliperidone
Lexapro®	Escitalopram
Luvox®	Fluvoxamine
Nardil®	Phenelzine
Norpramin®	Desipramine
Pamate®	Tranylcypromine
Paxil®	Paroxetine
Pristiq®	Desevenlafaxine
Prozac®	Fluoxetine
Remeron®	Mirtazapine
Risperdal®	Risperidone
Seroquel®	Quetiapine
Serzone®	Nefazodone
Symbyax®	Fluoxetine/Olanzapine
Wellbutrin®	Bupropion
Zoloft®	Sertraline
Zyprexa®	Olanzapine
Herbal preparations (St. John’s Wort)
Diabetes	Diabinese®	Chlorpropamide	Abnormally low blood sugar levels, flushing reaction (nausea, vomiting, headache, rapid heartbeat, sudden changes in blood pressure); symptoms of nausea and weakness may occur (metformin)
Glucotrol®	Glipizide
Glucophage®	Metformin
Glynase®, DiaBeta®, Micronase®	Glyburide
Orinase®	Tolbutamide
Tolinase®	Tolazamide
Enlarged prostate	Cardura®	Doxazosin	Dizziness, light headedness, fainting
Flomax®	Tamsulosin
Hytrin®	Terazosin
Minipress®	Prazosin
Heartburn, indigestion, sour stomach	Axid®	Nizatidine	Rapid heartbeat; increased alcohol effect; sudden changes in blood pressure (metoclopramide)
Reglan®	Metoclopramide
Tagamet®	Cimetidine
Zantac®	Ranitidine
High blood pressure	Accupril®	Quinapril	Dizziness, fainting, drowsiness; heart problems such as changes in the heart’s regular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
Calan®	Verapamil
Capozide®	Hydrochlorothiazide
Cardura®	Doxazosin
Catapres®	Clonidine
Cozaar®	Losartan
Hytrin®	Terazosin
Lopressor® HCT	Hydrochlorothiazide
Lotensin®	Benzapril
Minipress®	Prazosin
Norvasc®	Amlodipine mesylate
Prinivil®, Zestril®	Lisinopril
Vaseretic®	Enalapril
High cholesterol	Advicor®	Lovastatin + Niacin	Liver damage (all medications); increased flushing and itching (niacin), increased stomach bleeding (pravastatin + aspirin)
Altocor®	Lovastatin
Crestor®	Rosuvastatin
Lipitor®	Atorvastatin
Mevacor®	Lovastatin
Niaspan®	Niacin
Pravachol®	Pravastatin
Pravigard™	Pravastatin + Aspirin
Vytorin™	Ezetimibe + Simvastatin
Zocor®	Simvastatin
Infections	Acrodantin®	Nitrofurantoin	Fast heartbeat, sudden changes in blood pressure; stomach pain, upset stomach, vomiting, headache, or flushing or redness of the face; liver damage (isoniazid, ketoconazole)
Flagyl®	Metronidazole
Grisactin®	Griseofulvin
Nizoral®	Ketoconazole
Nydrazid®	Isoniazid
Seromycin®	Cycloserine
Tindamax®	Tinidazole
Zithromax®	Azithromycin
Mood stabilizers	Depakene®, Depakote®	Valproic acid	Drowsiness, dizziness; tremors; increased risk for side effects, such as restlessness, impaired motor control; loss of appetite; stomach upset; irregular bowel movement; joint or muscle pain; depression; liver damage (valproic acid)
Eskalith®, Eskalith®CR, Lithobid	Lithium
Muscle pain	Flexeril®	Cyclobenzaprine	Drowsiness, dizziness; increased risk of seizures; increased risk for overdose; slowed or difficulty breathing; impaired motor control; unusual behavior; memory problems
Soma®	Carisoprodol
Nausea, motion sickness	Antivert®	Meclizine	Drowsiness, dizziness; increased risk for overdose
Dramamine®	Dimenhydrinate
Phenergan®	Promethazine
Pain (such as muscle ache, minor arthritis pain), fever, inflammation	Advil®	Ibuprofen	Stomach upset, bleeding and ulcers; liver damage (acetaminophen); rapid heartbeat
Aleve®	Naproxen
Excedrin®	Aspirin, Acetaminophen
Motrin®	Ibuprofen
Tylenol®	Acetaminophen
Seizures	Dilantin®	Phenytoin	Drowsiness, dizziness; increased risk of seizures (levetiracetam, phenytoin); unusual behavior and changes in mental health (such as thoughts of suicide) (topiramate)
Horizant®, Neurontin®	Gabapentin
Keppra®	Levetiracetam
Klonopin®	Clonazepam
	Phenobarbital
Lamictal®	Lamotrigine
Lyrica®	Pregabalin
Tegretol®	Carbamazepine
Topamax®	Topiramate
Trileptal®	Oxcarbazepine
	Barbiturates
Severe pain from injury, postsurgical care, oral surgery, migraines	Darvocet–N®	Propoxyphene	Drowsiness, dizziness; increased risk for overdose; slowed or difficulty breathing; impaired motor control; unusual behavior; memory problems
Demerol®	Merepidine
Fiorinal® with codeine	Butalbital + codeine
Percocet®	Oxycodone
Vicodin®	Hydrocodone
Sleep problems	Ambien®	Zolpidem	Drowsiness, sleepiness, dizziness; slowed or difficulty breathing; impaired motor control; unusual behavior; memory problems
Lunesta™	Eszopiclone
Prosom™	Estazolam
Restoril®	Temazepam
Sominex®	Diphenhydramine
Unisom®	Doxylamine
Herbal preparations (chamomile, valerian, lavender)		Increased drowsiness

Can I drink all my medicine at once?

If you take more than one medicine, it is important to take them carefully and safely. Some medicines can interact and cause side effects. It can also be hard to keep track of when and how to take each medicine. Here are tips to help you keep track of your medicines and take them as directed.

You may take more than one medicine to treat a single condition. You may also take different medicines to treat more than one health problem. For example, you may take a statin to lower your cholesterol, and a beta-blocker to control your blood pressure. Older adults often have more than one health condition.

So they are more likely to take several medicines. The more medicines you take, the more you need to use them carefully. There are several risks when taking multiple medicines.

You may be more likely to have side effects. Because most medicines can have side effects, the more medicines you take, the more likely you will have side effects. Taking certain medicines can also increase the risk for falls,You are at higher risk for drug interactions. An interaction is when one medicine affects how another medicine works. For example, taken together, one medicine may make the other medicine stronger. Medicines can also interact with alcohol and even some foods. Some interactions can be serious, even life threatening.You may find it hard to keep track of when to take each medicine. You even may forget which medicine you have taken at a certain time.You may take a medicine you do not need. This may be more likely to happen if you see more than one health care provider. You may be prescribed different medicines for the same problem.

Certain people are more likely to have problems from taking multiple medicines:

People who are prescribed 5 or more medicines. The more medicines you take, the higher the chance of interactions or side effects. You may also find it hard to remember all possible drug interactions. People who take medicines prescribed by more than one provider. One provider may not know that you are taking medicines another provider has given you. Older adults. As you age, your body processes medicines differently. For instance, your kidneys may not work as well as they used to. This can mean that more medicine stays in your body for longer. This can lead to dangerous levels of medicines in your system. People in the hospital. When you are in the hospital, you will likely see new providers who are not familiar with your health history. Without this knowledge, they may prescribe a medicine that may interact with medicines you already take.

These suggestions can help you take all of your medicines safely:

Keep a list of all medicines you take. Your list should include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, OTC medicines include vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Keep a copy of the list in your wallet and at home.Review your medicine list with your providers and pharmacists. Discuss the list with your provider each time you have an appointment. Ask your provider if you still need to take all of the medicines on your list. Also ask if any of the dosages should be changed. Make sure you give all of your providers a copy of your medicine list. Ask questions about any new drugs you are prescribed. Make sure you understand how to take them. Also ask if a new medicine could interact with any of the medicines or supplements you are already taking.Take your medicines exactly as your provider tells you. If you have questions about how or why to take your medicine, ask your provider. Do not skip doses, or stop taking your medicines.If you notice side effects, tell your provider, Do not stop taking your medicines unless your provider tells you to. Keep your medicines organized, There are many ways to keep track of your medicines. A pill organizer may help. Try one or more methods and see what works for you.If you have a hospital stay, bring your medicine list with you. Talk with your provider about medicine safety while you are in the hospital.

Call if you have questions or you are confused about the directions for your medicine. Call if you have any side effects from your medicines. Do not stop taking any medicine unless your provider tells you to stop. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website.20 tips to help prevent medical errors: patient fact sheet.

• Www.ahrq.gov/patients-consumers/care-planning/errors/20tips/index.html,
• Updated November 2020.
• Accessed August 11, 2022.
• National Institute on Aging website.
• Www.nia.nih.gov/health/safe-use-medicines-older-adults,
• Updated June 26, 2019.
• Accessed August 11, 2022.
• Ryan R, Santesso N, Lowe D, et al.
• Interventions to improve safe and effective medicines use by consumers: an overview of systematic reviews.

Cochrane Database Syst Rev,2014;29(4):CD007768. PMID: 24777444 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24777444/, US Food & Drug Administration website. Ensuring safe use of medicine. www.fda.gov/drugs/buying-using-medicine-safely/ensuring-safe-use-medicine, Updated September 12, 2016.

Accessed August 11, 2022. US Department of Health and Human Services website. Healthy living: use medicines safely: the basics. health.gov/myhealthfinder/healthy-living/safety/use-medicines-safely#the-basics-tab, Updated July 20, 2022. Accessed August 11, 2022. US Department of Health and Human Services website.

Healthy living: use medicines safely: take action. health.gov/myhealthfinder/healthy-living/safety/use-medicines-safely#take-action-tab, Updated July 20, 2022. Accessed August 11, 2022. Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.

Can you drink alcohol while taking antibiotics?

What are the effects of drinking alcohol while taking antibiotics? – Antibiotics and alcohol can cause similar side effects, such as stomach upset, dizziness and drowsiness. Combining antibiotics and alcohol can increase these side effects. A few antibiotics — such as metronidazole (Flagyl), tinidazole (Tindamax), and sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim) — should not be mixed with alcohol because this may result in a more severe reaction.

Drinking any amount of alcohol with these medications can result in side effects such as flushing, headache, nausea and vomiting, and rapid heart rate. Also, the antibiotic linezolid (Zyvox) interacts with certain alcoholic beverages, including red wine and tap beer. Drinking these beverages with this medication can cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure.

Keep in mind that some cold medicines and mouthwashes also contain alcohol. So check the label and avoid such products while taking these antibiotics. Although modest alcohol use doesn’t reduce the effectiveness of most antibiotics, it can reduce your energy and delay how quickly you recover from illness.

Can you have 2 paracetamol with alcohol?

Can I drink alcohol while taking paracetamol? Drinking a small amount of alcohol while taking paracetamol is usually safe. Try to keep to the recommended guidelines of no more than 14 units of alcohol a week.

Can you drink alcohol while taking antihistamines?

The bottom line. If you take an antihistamine for allergies, you may be at risk of drowsiness if you drink alcohol. Benadryl generally has the highest risk since it can cause more sedation than other antihistamines. In most cases, this combination should be avoided, especially in adults over 60 years old.

Which part of the body removes alcohol from the body?

More than 90% of alcohol is eliminated by the liver ; 2-5% is excreted unchanged in urine, sweat, or breath.

What painkillers can I take with alcohol?

Naproxen sodium (Aleve) – Naproxen sodium, known as the brand name Aleve, is generally considered to be safe for use when consuming alcohol. However, like ibuprofen, naproxen sodium carries a risk of stomach bleeding and should be used for the shortest amount of time possible.

Can I drink alcohol if I took ibuprofen in the morning?

Stomach ulcers and bleeding – Ibuprofen can irritate the digestive tract, which is why doctors tell people to take this medication with food. When a person takes ibuprofen for an extended period or in high doses, it can increase their risk of gastric ulcers or bleeding in the digestive tract.

1. Alcohol can also irritate the stomach and digestive tract.
2. Mixing the two further increases the risk of ulcers and bleeding.
3. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) state that ibuprofen can interact with alcohol, which can worsen the usual side effects of ibuprofen.
4. These side effects can include bleeding, ulcers, and a rapid heartbeat.

Research shows that both drinking alcohol and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ), which is the class of drug that includes ibuprofen, are risk factors for stomach ulcer bleeding. The risk of stomach ulcer bleeding increases the longer a person takes ibuprofen.

Can I drink 4 medicine at once?

1. The more meds you take, the higher the risk of harmful drug interactions. – Having multiple meds in your system can cause them to work differently than they’re supposed to—and may even make them less effective. “You might be taking two meds that intensify a side effect, or that make a drug stronger or weaker,” Downer says.

1. For instance, both antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds can cause drowsiness—so layering one on top of the other could leave you seriously zonked.
2. Or, if you’re taking a blood thinner and a drug for high blood pressure, the latter could make the blood thinner stronger or weaker, Downer explains.
3. Discuss any new medications with your doctor and pharmacist.

So what can you do? If you’re dealing with unpleasant side effects, tell your doctor. And always make sure your healthcare provider has a complete list of everything you take, including OTC meds, supplements, vitamins, and herbs. This is important, because if your doc is unaware of something you’re on, they might accidentally add a new prescription that could interact negatively with one of your current drugs, the NIH points out.

What are the symptoms of overmedication?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Overmedication is an overutilization of medication wherein a patient takes voluntarily, or is prescribed, unnecessary or excessive medications. While not strictly a medical condition, common symptoms may include: slurred speech, drowsiness, confusion, and poor motor skills.

How many prescriptions are too many?

Medications can improve the lives of people who suffer from chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer, mental illness and chronic pain. However, taking too many prescription medications can be risky. Taking more than five medications is called polypharmacy.

3 out of 5 Canadians (62% ) over the age of 65 take at least 5 different prescription medications. 1 out of 4 Canadians (24%) over the age of 65 take at least 10 different prescription medications ( CIHI 2021 ).

How many hours after drinking can I take cold medicine?

Can You Drink Alcohol After Taking DayQuil and Vice Versa? – DayQuil’s effects last approximately 4 to 6 hours depending on how you’re feeling. It’s not recommended to mix the two but you can have a drink after 4 to 6 hours from when you took your last dose.

Is it safe to take an over-the-counter medicine after drinking alcohol quizlet?

It is not safe to take an over-the-counter medicine after drinking alcohol because it can increase the length of time that alcohol in the body. It can either decrease or increase the effectiveness of some medications and change some medications into chemicals that can damage the liver or other organs.

What happens when you drink the wrong medicine?

How can accidental overdose happen? – The more medicines you take, the more you’re at risk of harm from them. In recent years, more than 1 in every 2 deaths from accidental overdose have involved a person taking 3 or more substances. You are more at risk of accidental overdose if:

• you are taking a combination of different medicines
• you don’t follow the instructions of your doctor or pharmacist properly
• you mix medicine with alcohol,

There are mistakes that can mean overdose is more likely:

• Taking more than one medicine with the same active ingredient (for example, 2 cold and flu medicines might have different brand names but both contain paracetamol, which means you will take double the dose if you take both).
• Taking medicine that is stronger than you thought (for example, medicines with the same brand name may come in different strengths, meaning that a tablet in one package contains a higher dose of medicine than a tablet in a different package).
• Using the wrong measuring device for the medicine (for example, using a tablespoon rather than a teaspoon means you take more than you need).
• Forgetting how much medicine you’ve already taken.

Your child is more at risk of accidental overdose if:

• you incorrectly calculate your child’s dosage of medicine based on their weight
• you don’t store a medicine safely, meaning that your child can reach the medicine and accidentally swallow it

It’s always important to read the label, even if you have taken the medicine before.