Dr. Rx: Mixing prescriptions with alcohol can have range of effects
VCU School of Pharmacy faculty, alumni and students have provided the Dr. Rx column for Richmond’s Fifty Plus magazine since December 2009. We now share those columns on the SOP website, as well, for those who might not have seen the most recent issue.
Serving as Dr. Rx for February 2014 is Cortney Wren, whose area of interest is geriatric pharmacy. She holds a B.S. in mass communications from VCU and a B.S. in art education from Radford University; she will receive her doctor of pharmacy degree from VCU School of Pharmacy in 2015.
Dear Dr. Rx: My prescription bottle says, “Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.” I have a friend’s wedding coming up. Does this mean I can’t have a drink or two?
Many medications have the potential to interact with other medications, food and — yes – even alcohol. The answer to your dilemma depends on a few things, such as what medication you are taking, why you are taking it and, perhaps, how long you will be taking the medication.
As we get older, our bodies are more sensitive to alcohol. Some health problems that are seen more frequently in older adults, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, can be worsened by alcohol intake.
Alcohol itself is a central nervous system depressant, which means that it can cause memory impairment, muscle relaxation and sedation, among other things. Mixing medicines with alcohol can have a range of effects.
For example, some medications used to control anxiety may increase the risk for overdose when mixed with alcohol. They may also cause drowsiness or dizziness and even cause difficulty breathing. Many medications used to treat depression can also increase the risk for overdose and even lead to increased feelings of depression. Some antibiotics should never be taken with alcohol because they can lead to nausea, vomiting and painful abdominal cramps.
Even some medications that can be purchased over the counter to treat your cold or flu symptoms can cause drowsiness or dizziness when mixed with alcohol. Other over-the-counter medications used to treat pain can lead to upset stomach and liver damage.
Some medications can have devastating effects if you drink alcohol anytime they are in your system, and others may be okay if alcohol is consumed in moderation. As a reminder, one drink is the equivalent of a 5-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce regular beer or one 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof liquor.
Moderate alcohol use for women is up to one drink per day and, for men, up to two drinks per day. This guideline is for healthy adults who are not taking medications that interact with alcohol.
Bottom line: That label is there for a reason. Medication interactions are a pharmacist’s bread and butter. Check with your pharmacist or physician about specific medications and make sure they know all the medications you are taking in order to avoid any drug-alcohol interactions. They should be able to let you know if you should enjoy the evening alcohol-free or if it’s OK to go ahead and have a glass of wine or two.
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