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.
| 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 |
How long should you wait to take medicine after drinking alcohol?
If the amount of alcohol used would be classified as binge drinking, it may take 18 to 24 hours to be alcohol-free. It may take your liver a while to recover even after alcohol is fully removed from your body, so it is safest to wait at least 72 hours after drinking to take Tylenol.
What medicine should you not take after drinking?
Nonnarcotic Pain Medications and Anti-Inflammatory Agents – Many people frequently use nonnarcotic pain medications and anti-inflammatory agents (e.g., aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen) for headaches and other minor aches and pains. In addition, arthritis and other disorders of the muscles and bones are among the most common problems for which older people consult physicians ( Adams 1995 ).
NSAIDs have been implicated in an increased risk of ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding in elderly people. Alcohol may exacerbate that risk by enhancing the ability of these medications to damage the stomach mucosa ( Adams 1995 ).6 Aspirin, indomethacin, and ibuprofen cause prolonged bleeding by inhibiting the function of certain blood cells involved in blood clot formation. This effect also appears to be enhanced by concurrent alcohol use ( Deykin et al.1982 ). Aspirin has been shown to increase BALs after small alcohol doses, possibly by inhibiting first-pass metabolism ( Roine et al.1990 ).
An important pharmacokinetic interaction between alcohol and acetaminophen can increase the risk of acetaminophen-related toxic effects on the liver. Acetaminophen breakdown by CYP2E1 (and possibly CYP3A) results in the formation of a toxic product that can cause potentially life-threatening liver damage.
- As mentioned earlier, heavy alcohol use enhances CYP2E1 activity.
- In turn, enhanced CYP2E1 activity increases the formation of the toxic acetaminophen product.
- To prevent liver damage, patients generally should not exceed the maximum doses recommended by the manufacturers (i.e., 4 grams, or up to eight extra-strength tablets of acetaminophen per day).
In people who drink heavily or who are fasting (which also increases CYP2E1 activity), however, liver injury may occur at doses as low as 2 to 4 grams per day. The specific drinking levels at which acetaminophen toxicity is enhanced are still unknown.
Can I take medicine after 5 hours of drinking alcohol?
If you take any medication—even over-the-counter (OTC) products—you should know that drinking alcohol might affect how your meds work. Mixing alcohol and medication can even be dangerous. If you’re drinking excessively or regularly, you are increasing the risk of adverse medication reactions.
What is the best thing to take after drinking?
Sip a glass of water – When you wake up hungover, especially if you’re nauseous, it can feel like putting more liquids into your stomach is the last thing you need. But, drinking can cause mild dehydration, and rehydrating is important for feeling better.
Can I take ibuprofen after drinking?
Combining ibuprofen and alcohol can raise your risk for serious side effects, such as gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and kidney or liver problems. It’s best to wait at least 10 hours after taking a dose of ibuprofen to drink alcohol.
Can I drink alcohol while taking antibiotic?
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 smoke on the pill?
Side Effects – Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex ® Healthy women who do not smoke cigarettes have almost no chance of having a severe side effect from taking oral contraceptives. For most women, more problems occur because of pregnancy than will occur from taking oral contraceptives.
But for some women who have special health problems, oral contraceptives can cause some unwanted effects. Some of these unwanted effects include benign (not cancerous) liver tumors, liver cancer, or blood clots or related problems, such as a stroke. Although these effects are very rare, they can be serious enough to cause death.
You may want to discuss these effects with your doctor. Smoking cigarettes during the use of oral contraceptives has been found to greatly increase the chances of these serious side effects occurring. To reduce the risk of serious side effects, do not smoke cigarettes while you are taking oral contraceptives.
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from oral contraceptive use. The risk increases with age and with heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes per day) and is quite marked in women over 35 years of age. Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.
Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. The following side effects may be caused by blood clots. Get emergency help immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Can I take painkillers 5 hours after drinking?
Prescription-only painkillers – Prescription-only painkillers for moderate pain include dihydrocodeine, gabapentin and tramadol. Morphine and pethidine are used for more severe pain. Drinking alcohol with any of these medicines may make you drowsy and increase the risk of other side effects occurring, such as nausea.
How many hours after drinking can I drink?
The Standard 1-Hour per Drink Rule – Usually, you are safe to use the one-hour per drink rule. So, if you have two glasses of wine, you should wait two hours before driving. When you do an hour per drink, your body has time to overcome the other factors listed above, and hopefully, you have a safe enough BAC to drive.
Can I drink alcohol 4 hours after taking medicine?
Alcohol and antibiotics 3 – You should never drink alcohol while taking certain types of antibiotics. This is because some antibiotics interfere with the breakdown of alcohol in the body, leading to serious side effects including nausea, vomiting, flushing of the skin, accelerated heart rate, dizziness, drowsiness.
Two examples of antibiotics that are never safe to combine with alcohol are metronidazole and tinidazole, but there are others too. That’s why it’s vital to read the leaflet and check with your pharmacist or doctor, if necessary, before consuming any alcohol when you’re taking antibiotics. You might also be advised to avoid alcohol for up to 72 hours after finishing the course.
Several other antibiotics also interact with alcohol in a way that stops them from working properly. It’s important not drink alcohol if you are prescribed these, too, so the medicine is able to work as intended. The NHS website advises that it’s best to avoid alcohol if you’re feeling unwell.
Can I drink alcohol 4 hours after taking medicine?
Alcohol and antibiotics 3 – You should never drink alcohol while taking certain types of antibiotics. This is because some antibiotics interfere with the breakdown of alcohol in the body, leading to serious side effects including nausea, vomiting, flushing of the skin, accelerated heart rate, dizziness, drowsiness.
Two examples of antibiotics that are never safe to combine with alcohol are metronidazole and tinidazole, but there are others too. That’s why it’s vital to read the leaflet and check with your pharmacist or doctor, if necessary, before consuming any alcohol when you’re taking antibiotics. You might also be advised to avoid alcohol for up to 72 hours after finishing the course.
Several other antibiotics also interact with alcohol in a way that stops them from working properly. It’s important not drink alcohol if you are prescribed these, too, so the medicine is able to work as intended. The NHS website advises that it’s best to avoid alcohol if you’re feeling unwell.