Drinking alcohol while you are on medication can be dangerous and can lead to a number of issues, including addiction and other harmful side effects. Nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, fainting, blood pressure changes and loss of coordination are common side effects that may occur when you mix the prescription medication with alcohol, and the combination can be extremely dangerous.
Alcohol and Antibiotics:
While it may be okay to have alcohol with some antibiotics, there could be severe side effects if taken with antibiotics like Metronidazole where patients may experience severe side effectsmedi that may require hospitalization.
Alcohol and Diabetes:
Alcohol may mask the symptoms of low sugar which mean patients will not notice symptoms of low sugar. This may lead to patients passing out and can lead to complications.
Alcohol and Antidepressants:
Drinking alcohol while on antidepressants is not advised in general because alcohol can make depression worse. It can also increase the side effects of some anti-depressants such as drowsiness, dizziness and coordination problems.
Alcohol and Painkillers:
Alcohol and some painkillers like Advil, Aleve or strong anti-inflammatory medications can lead to stomach ulcers. When mixed with strong pain relievers like Opiates ( think Tylenol #3, Percocet etc) it can lead to a slowing of breathing and risk of coma.
Alcohol and Blood Pressure
Taking more than three drinks in a day can temporarily increase Blood Pressure. If such use is continued over a long period of time, it can cause a permanent increase in Blood Pressure.
These are just some of the examples. Mixing Alcohol with medications can be a deadly combination that can put patients in harm’s way. Always talk to your Pharmacist if you are on medication and want to consume alcohol.
Fill out the form or call our Pharmacist at 905.4501277 (Brampton) or 905.890.7775 (Mississauga). Our Pharmacist at Allwell Pharmacy will go over all the details with you to ensure you have an understanding of your medication and advise you if it is safe to consume alcohol with your current medications/medical conditions.