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Alcohol Effects on Medications

Ethanol is the active ingredient in alcohol that is absorbed through the stomach and dispersed to the rest of the body through the bloodstream. Consumed by itself, alcohol affects the brain within minutes, relaxing the drinker and reducing his inhibitions. However, when alcohol is combined with over-the-counter medications, illegal drugs or prescribed medications, the results can be devastating.

  1. Over-the-Counter

    • Numerous medications that are available without a prescription can have damaging side effects when taken with alcohol. Drinking while you're taking common cold and allergy medications increases your risk of overdose from the medicine and increases the risk of drowsiness and dizziness. Similar side effects occur when taking cough syrups combined with alcohol. The danger increases when alcohol is combined with pain medications, like aspirin or acetaminophen. Drinking while taking these medications increases your risk of liver damage, ulcers and stomach bleeding.

    Narcotics

    • Whether the drug is prescribed by a doctor or attained illegally, combining a narcotic with alcohol can be deadly. Alcohol combined with opiate narcotics can be fatal, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. All other narcotic medication side effects are greatly enhanced by alcohol and the risk of overdose increases. Fatal drug overdoses often include the consumption of alcohol in combination with other drugs.

    Sedatives

    • Sleeping pills, combined with alcohol, multiply the sedative effect, sometimes even if the alcohol is consumed hours after the sedative is taken. Ask your doctor how long the medication remains in your system. Morning drinkers may compromise their health if they have taken a sleeping pill the night before: their reaction time is reduced, impairing their ability to operate a motor vehicle. The stronger the sedative, the more pronounced the side effects.

    Organ Damage

    • The liver is first in line to suffer damage from the combination of medications and alcohol. If the amount of both substances is not sufficient to be fatal, the alcohol still increases the side effects of the drug, making your liver work harder to process the alcohol and medication in your bloodstream. Medications that target the liver when combined with alcohol include antipsychotics, non-narcotic pain relievers, anxiety and epilepsy medications, arthritis drugs and medications prescribed to control high cholesterol.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Notify your doctor about every over-the-counter medication or drug you take and tell her if you have a drinking problem. Ask your doctor how soon before or after taking your medication you must wait to drink alcohol. Follow her directions carefully and call her immediately if you inadvertently drink alcohol while taking any kind of medication.

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