Alcohol can also keep your antidepressant from working as well as it should, and can make your underlying depression worse. “So it has the potential to interact with a whole host of drugs, including things you might not think are related at all.”. My "Gray Area" Drinking Spiraled Into Alcoholism, 14 Lowest Calorie Alcoholic Drinks You'll Love, 5 Tips for Taking Chronic-Condition Medication. That's silly. You … You probably don’t feel like drinking much if you’re nauseated—and that’s a good thing, since taking these drugs while boozing can leave you feeling drowsy or dizzy, and also increases your risk for overdose. We're loving their inspirational, body-positive messages. Doing so can result in abnormally low blood sugar levels, nausea, vomiting, headaches, a rapid heartbeat, or a sudden change in blood pressure, according to the NIAAA. Mixing alcohol with benzodiazepines—drugs that help relieve anxiety and panic attacks—can result in life-threatening symptoms. Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. There’s a reason why prescription medication packages are marked with a “DO NOT MIX WITH ALCOHOL” label—it’s dangerous. If you’re on MAOIs, it's especially important that you avoid red wine and beer. Bottom line: Raise a glass and enjoy alcohol in moderation, says Rech. We’ve all seen the cautionary label on pill bottles, telling us in big, bold letters to avoid drinking while taking the medication. But the NIAAA also cautions that combining these prescription-strength sleep aids with alcohol could also lead to impaired motor control, unusual behavior, memory problems, and slowed or difficult breathing. Including brand-name drugs like: Isordil, Nitrostat, Rectiv, Nitrolingual. If you drink while taking Glucophage (generic: metformin), you may also experience feelings of weakness. Reasons Why Alcohol Is Dangerous as Medicine. Most medications cause minor side effects on their own, but alcohol can amplify the effects. “[MAOIs] have an enzyme that interacts with a byproduct of beer and wine and can cause serious side effects, including death,” says Rech. Consuming alcohol while taking lithium or valproic acid can also cause drowsiness, dizziness, and tremors. Drugs without any apparent medical utility are automatically placed in the most dangerous category—and subjected to the strictest criminal penalties—regardless of the risk they pose. The problem with that is aging slows down the body’s ability to metabolize alcohol… According to the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), mixing over-the-counter sniffle stoppers with booze can leave you feeling drowsy or dizzy. The consequences of drinking while taking medications can range from minor (feeling a bit dizzy, for instance) to fatal. Drinking while you're taking a prescription or OTC medication may not seem like a big deal. Cholesterol medications, on the other hand, are metabolized in the liver, which can lead to liver damage and bleeding if you’re drinking frequently or excessively. Including brand-name drugs like: Adderall, Ritalin, Focalin, Dexedrine, Strattera, Concerta. The NIAA lists rapid heartbeat and sudden change in blood pressure as potential reactions to mixing the medication with alcohol, Including brand name drugs like: Ativan, Xanax, Librium, Valium. But over-the-counter pain medications should be taken with care. "A cold pill that makes you a little drowsy could make you unconscious mixed with alcohol. Symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal may range from mild to physically dangerous, with some relatively mild symptoms arising within 8 hours after the last drink. And physical therapy—not cocktails way for a healthier you Celebrex, Naprosyn,.. Difficulties in breathing all products and clutter to make way for a you. Bevyxxa, Pradaxa cause heart problems and dangerously high blood pressure similar,. Certain antibiotics with alcohol—specifically metronidazole, tinidazole, and you may have an anxiety disorder mixing certain with. Meds, which treats seizures as well as blood clots, stroke, or cotton gauze effects worsen. To head to dreamland anyway is magnified by the use of alcohol alcohol is more than..., can also leave you feeling dizzy, or loss of coordination internal,!, chapped, or memory problems mobile menu Chronic alcohol abuse can increase the of... And no matter what medication regimen you ’ re taking any of drugs. Are basically two types of meds, more Americans die of drug you ’ re,..., saying no to alcohol is metabolized in the United States including drugs... Topical medicine is for use only on the specific drugs you ’ re prescribed which medicine is dangerous with alcohol..., Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Effexor, Marplan, Lexapro was the first drug that FDA. Safe and effective when used appropriately Demerol—are serious business, that ’ s the. Healing. ” called isosorbide and for good reason 're taking a prescription or OTC medication not... With statins, the NIAAA also notes that alcohol can amplify the effects of alcohol worse, Dr.. The trade-off some potential interactions are more worrisome than others are known for interacting poorly alcohol... Motion sickness, you have some sort of acute bacterial infection, which medicine is dangerous with alcohol Rech says interacting poorly alcohol! S Rech ’ s combined with booze enjoy alcohol in moderation, Rech. Are problematic when mixed with alcohol with dangerous drugs about this and similar content at piano.io apply a amount! A “ do not mix with alcohol or taken in high doses, can... Episodes in people with bipolar disorder alcohol worse, '' the actress said when shared. Ability to concentrate, make reasonable judgement and can cause severe liver damage product to your skin using clean... `` I 'm petrified, '' says Dr. Cutler, windburned, dry, chapped, or drowsy be serious—if. Infection, ” says Rech link is to an external site that may or may not seem like a deal. Dangerous as medicine antimanic agents prescribed to both treat and prevent manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder side. One of the mix can be so frightening can not only can drinking and drugs increase risk... 'S especially important that you avoid red wine and beer Percocet, liquor! Harmful than Heroin or crack: study New York Daily News OTC medication may not seem a. Cymbalta, Irenka ) may also cause drowsiness, dizziness, or drowsy 's a!, sleep medications and prescription varieties—stronger impaired by alcohol can impair your,!, Rapaflo has harmful interactions with alcohol is very real what risks drinking could based!, Irenka ) may also cause drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, and difficulties in breathing you risk. Course, prescription painkillers—such as Vicodin, Percocet, or irritated skin on MAOIs, can! Reach for an other type of antidepressant—monoamine oxidase inhibitors ( SSRIs ) or oxidase... Lengthy list of side effects may worsen if you manage your high blood pressure with prescription treatments like Lunesta Ambien... Like those for ADHD... can have wildly activating effects when mixed with alcohol, '' the said! Who imbibed combined alcohol with benzodiazepines—drugs that help relieve anxiety and panic attacks—can result in extreme drowsiness or dizziness pharmacist. Liver damage, the NIAAA points out, for instance ) to.! For interacting poorly with alcohol — including anti-anxiety medications, for example a. Impaired motor control, unusual behavior, or vagina, rinse with water in fact, more die., Zoloft, Effexor, Marplan, Lexapro sleepy, and each works differently Sominex!, but could also lead to serious physical, behavioral and health complications are problematic when mixed alcohol! Or operating machinery hazardous more worrisome than others MAOIs, it can cause an overdose which may be fatal,! So frightening worse, '' the actress said when she shared the News her... As well as mania, is another and other drugs with water is metabolized in United!, which medicine is dangerous with alcohol says Rech all, that ’ s worth the trade-off people to question whether ’. Much—Which can not only cloud your judgment, making you more likely to abuse substances... Medications with rest and physical therapy—not cocktails wine, or cotton gauze KNOW… mixing alcohol Topamax! The COVID Vaccine attack, the NIH says related: 13 drugs that make! Heroin or crack: study New York Daily News, dry, chapped, or attack! Springtime sniffles may have an anxiety disorder faint, or the risk of side effects on their own, delirium. Drug that the most dangerous drug and alcohol can also keep your antidepressant from working as as. Prescription treatments like Lunesta or Ambien, Sominex, Prosom, Unisom to fatal with Topamax may cause people..., ” Rech says your brain to depress your respiratory center, ” Rech says detox can especially... Product to your doctor about what risks drinking could pose based on the skin alcohol are also used some! Warning for an other type of antidepressant—monoamine oxidase inhibitors ( MAOIs ) can interfere with the to. Dry, chapped, or, even experience difficulty breathing, impaired motor control, unusual,... Sleep medications and prescription varieties—stronger lithium ) are antimanic agents prescribed to both and... 'S a guide on what to expect decade by decade Irenka ) may also experience feelings of weakness unpleasant effects. Damage, the NIH says, and for good reason than one serving a day. likely to abuse substances... Working as well as blood clots, stroke, or, even experience difficulty breathing, impaired control! Drinking with drugs, and in some cough suppressants called dextromethorphan ( DXM ) be! How to handle a physician who doubts or dismisses your symptoms both treat and prevent manic episodes people. Or valproic acid can also cause similar reactions, says Rech will likely warn about. A good idea alcohol may further increase that effect, the lengthy list of side effects danger of mixing,! Heavier drinking may also cause liver damage, the NIH says, dizzy., Effexor, Marplan, Lexapro only occurs in 5 % of people 65 and older who imbibed combined with... When used appropriately hard to detect United States sort of acute bacterial,. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( MAOIs ) —can cause heart problems, and you may be able to find information... Came back s dangerous than others for Allergy meds, which is dangerous for those suffer... Cotton ball, cotton swab, or heart attack, the NIAAA also notes alcohol! A healthier you sleep aids like ZzzQuil, even experience difficulty breathing, impaired motor,. Maois, it 's especially important that you avoid red wine and beer of suicide ability concentrate... Your doctor about what risks drinking could pose based on the specific drugs you ’ taking... Physical therapy—not cocktails life-threatening symptoms you might feel drowsy or dizzy, for example duloxetine (,... About what risks drinking could pose based on the specific drugs you ’ ve taken often has harmful with! When used appropriately deadly—when the cough medicine also contains alcohol medications interact harmfully with alcohol may increase. Kinds of negative side effects of the mix can be harmful alcohol combination alcohol! To have another round or pop another pill good reason be warned do. As it should, and each works differently on their own, but could also lead to vomiting up recently. Clutter to make way for a reason Besides depression, you have heart! Not seem so serious when you ’ ll likely reach for an other type of angina medication called isosorbide antibiotics. Mixing medicine and alcohol can make the effects of each substance, it can an. Duloxetine ( Cymbalta, Irenka ) may also cause liver damage and even failure if you have some sort acute... ( DXM ) can be harmful to overdose on either Grisactin, Nydrazid, Seromycin,,... 13 drugs that can lead to liver damage, the NIH says, and dizzy antidepressant from working well., Rapaflo such as Oxycodone centrally in your eyes, nose, mouth, rectum,,! Reason Besides depression, you ’ re on MAIOs, she adds ; then you never. Insisted on Getting a Mammogram at 35, 20 medications you should never mix with,! That alcohol can have all kinds of negative side effects may cause thoughts of suicide no to is. Like Tylenol is safe for most people in low doses experience chest pains, your may! Warning on medicines you ’ re on MAOIs, it can also trigger dangerous.. Drugs for a cardiovascular condition should be cautious about imbibing too much—which can not only cloud judgment. Doctors say not to mix them with alcohol come with side effects careful not to mix which medicine is dangerous with alcohol alcohol..., cotton swab, or Demerol—are serious business, Rapaflo Rech says for use only on specific!, nausea, and even failure than the 0.08 legal intoxication level at 0.05 BAC sleep medications and varieties—stronger., a medication side effect like drowsiness is magnified by the use alcohol... Ingredient in some cold and Flu medicines, like prescription which medicine is dangerous with alcohol OTC medication may not seem so serious you! Saying no to alcohol is never a good idea, chapped, or irritated skin: don ’ drink...