Mixing Alcohol and Medication: What You Need to Know

You've probably heard warnings about mixing alcohol with antibiotics—and for good reason. Drinking while taking antibiotics can worsen side effects and slow down healing. But what about other prescription drugs or over-the-counter remedies? Is it ever safe to combine them with alcohol?

In this article, we'll explore the risks of drinking alcohol while on medication, list common drugs that interact with alcohol, and share tips to protect your health.

Can You Drink on Antibiotics?

It's not safe to mix alcohol with antibiotics, but not because alcohol makes antibiotics less effective. The real concern is that alcohol increases your risk of side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and drowsiness. It can also worsen dehydration and interfere with recovery.

While any antibiotic can cause problems when mixed with alcohol, some are especially dangerous. These include:

• Metronidazole
• Tinidazole
• Sulfamethoxazole
• Cefoperazone
• Ketoconazole
• Cefotetan
• Griseofulvin

Bottom line: Avoid alcohol when taking antibiotics.

Can You Take Ibuprofen (and Other OTC Drugs) With Alcohol?

Many people use medication daily—about 66% of U.S. adults take prescription drugs, and even more use over-the-counter (OTC) products. Understanding how alcohol interacts with these substances is crucial for your health.

Alcohol can interact with a wide range of medications, including prescriptions, OTC drugs, and herbal supplements. These interactions can cause various adverse effects, depending on the drug and how much alcohol you drink.

Interactions can go both ways: alcohol can change how a medication works, and some medications can change how you feel the effects of alcohol.

Five Risks of Mixing Alcohol and Medication

• Increased side effects: Alcohol can make side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, or poor coordination worse, raising the risk of accidents.
• Reduced effectiveness: Alcohol may interfere with how your body absorbs or processes medication, making it less effective and delaying recovery.
• Overdose risk: In some cases, alcohol can change how medication affects your bloodstream, increasing the chance of an overdose.
• Liver damage: Both alcohol and many medications are processed by the liver. Combining them can strain this organ and raise the risk of damage.
• Interference with mental health treatment: Alcohol can worsen depression or anxiety symptoms and reduce the effectiveness of medications for these conditions.

In short, drinking while on medication is a dangerous combination.

Common Side Effects of Mixing Alcohol With Medication

Combining alcohol and medication can intensify side effects. Some OTC products can even make the effects of alcohol—like drowsiness—stronger. Other possible side effects include:

• Upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting
• Fatigue or excessive sleepiness
• Dizziness or fainting
• Headaches
• Blood pressure changes or heart damage
• Behavioral or emotional changes
• Loss of coordination
• Stroke or heart attack

In severe cases, mixing alcohol with medication can lead to overdose or alcohol poisoning—both are medical emergencies.

Long-term, this combination can cause chronic health issues such as:

• Heart problems
• Liver damage, failure, or cancer
• Internal bleeding
• Brain damage
• Depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions

Given these risks, it's wise to avoid alcohol while taking medication.

Common Medications That Interact With Alcohol

Here are 12 common medications that may interact negatively with alcohol:

• Pain relievers: OTC options like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can cause stomach bleeding and ulcers when mixed with alcohol. Prescription pain drugs, especially opioids, can lead to severe drowsiness and impaired coordination.
• Cough suppressants: Combining alcohol with cough medicines can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and motor impairment. If the cough syrup contains alcohol, the effects can be even more dangerous.
• Antidepressant and antianxiety medications: Alcohol can worsen depression and anxiety symptoms and increase side effects like dizziness and drowsiness.
• ADHD medications: Stimulants like Adderall, Concerta, and Ritalin can have their effects masked by alcohol, raising the risk of overdose or harmful physical reactions like seizures.
• Sleep aids: Mixing alcohol with sleep aids can cause excessive drowsiness and dangerous respiratory depression.
• Diabetes medications: Alcohol can interfere with blood sugar control, leading to critically low levels or a rare, life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis.
• Blood pressure medications: Alcohol can lower blood pressure, causing dizziness, fainting, and falls when combined with these drugs.
• Cholesterol medications: Statins can cause flushing, itching, stomach bleeding, and liver damage—risks that increase with alcohol use.
• Heartburn medications: These can cause rapid heartbeat and blood pressure changes when mixed with alcohol, and may also intensify alcohol's effects.
• Muscle relaxants: Drugs like Atarax, Antivert, and Soma can lead to drowsiness, dizziness, breathing problems, memory loss, or seizures when combined with alcohol.
• Antibiotics: Some, like metronidazole and tinidazole, can cause severe reactions including rapid heart rate, nausea, and vomiting. Alcohol may also reduce the effectiveness of certain antibiotics.
• Opioid pain medications: Mixing alcohol with drugs like Vicodin, Percocet, or Demerol intensifies side effects and raises the risk of fatal overdose.

This list isn't exhaustive. Research shows over 100 drugs interact with alcohol, from beer and wine to spirits, causing issues ranging from nausea to internal bleeding.

Unfortunately, many people aren't aware of these risks. A National Institutes of Health survey found that 42% of drinkers were taking medications that could interact negatively with alcohol. That's why it's essential to consult a healthcare professional before drinking while on any medication.

Risk Factors for Mixing Alcohol With Medication

Some people may experience more severe reactions when mixing alcohol and medication:

• Women: Due to metabolic differences, women often have higher blood alcohol levels than men after drinking the same amount, making interactions more severe.
• Older adults: Aging slows the body's ability to break down alcohol, leading to lower tolerance. Older adults are also more likely to take multiple medications, increasing the chance of interactions.

Tips for Safeguarding Your Health

If you're taking medication and considering drinking, prioritize your health with these steps:

• Speak with your doctor or pharmacist: Always ask a professional about potential interactions with alcohol. Don't rely solely on online searches.
• Read medication labels: Many drugs include warnings about alcohol interactions. Follow these instructions carefully.
• Limit or avoid alcohol: Depending on your medication, it may be best to avoid alcohol entirely. If you do drink (with your doctor's approval), monitor yourself for any unusual symptoms and contact your healthcare provider if needed.
• Be mindful of supplements: Herbal supplements like kava, St. John's Wort, chamomile, valerian, and lavender can also interact with alcohol, causing drowsiness, dizziness, or liver damage.

Remember, alcohol can harm your body and mental health even without medication. Cutting back may improve how you look and feel overall.

The Bottom Line

Mixing alcohol with prescription or over-the-counter drugs can cause severe side effects, reduce medication effectiveness, or lead to life-threatening complications. Always read medication labels and consult a healthcare professional if you're unsure about drinking while on medication. It's not worth the risk!

If you want to cut back or quit drinking but aren't sure where to start, consider trying Quitemate. It's a neuroscience-backed app that has helped millions reduce alcohol consumption and build healthier habits.