Is it okay if I drink alcohol while taking this drug? This is a frequently asked question for doctors. It shouldn’t come as a shock, either: As half of all Americans frequently use prescription drugs, and almost a third (31%) of all Americans drink alcohol on a daily basis.
While drinking less than one drink per day may be good for your heart, mixing alcohol with medicines is extremely dangerous, especially if you are on any of the following medications:
The four most common medications you shouldn’t consume alcohol with.
Is it okay to mix Propranolol with alcohol?
According to Scott McDougall, co-founder of The Independent Pharmacy, propranolol is a prescription-only beta-blocker medicine used to treat and relieve symptoms of a variety of health disorders, including anxiety, heart problems, and migraines.
“Propranolol is designed to lower your blood pressure, slow your heart rate down and reduce the force of each beat.
“Alcohol can also lower your blood pressure, so mixing Propranolol and alcohol is not advised as it can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, light-headedness and even fainting.
“Health professionals advise avoiding alcohol when on Propranolol. If you are taking Propranolol, speak to your GP or pharmacist to see whether you need to avoid alcohol completely or if you need a unit limit depending on the type of prescription you are taking”, he added.
Can we mix Antibiotics with alcohol?
When taking antibiotics, it’s best to avoid drinking alcohol, especially if you’re feeling under the weather, because it can slow down your recovery.
Scott added: “There are a few antibiotics that require you to avoid drinking alcohol completely when taking them.
“Metronidazole, which is typically prescribed for dental treatment or to clear infected ulcers, and Tinidazole which is often prescribed to clear infections and tackle unwanted gut bacteria.
“Combining alcohol with these two antibiotics can have painful side effects including stomach pain, vomiting, hot flushes and a fast or irregular heartbeat.”
Linezolid and Doxycycline should also be avoided, according to him.
However, he said that drinking alcohol in moderation while taking the most common antibiotics is unlikely to cause difficulties, so ask your doctor or pharmacist when picking up your prescription if it’s alright to drink alcohol in moderation while taking the drug.
Can you take Cold & flu medication after drinking alcohol?
Over-the-counter cold and flu medications, according to Scott, can interact with alcohol and induce extreme drowsiness and dizziness.
He added: “This is especially important if you intend on driving. Of course, you should never drive when over the legal limit, but drinking alongside taking cold and flu medication (even a single drink) could compromise your usual alertness and reaction time as both substances can cause drowsiness and a lack of concentration.”
Taking Zantac (Heartburn medications) after drinking alcohol
Heartburn tablets, gels, or liquids, one of the most popular over-the-counter treatments, should be used with caution after consuming alcohol, according to Scott.
“This is because when mixed with alcohol some medications can cause tachycardia (rapid heart beating) and sudden changes in blood pressure.
“Certain heartburn medications, such as Zantac (ranitidine), can also make the effects of alcohol more intense and impair the judgement of the individual.”
Mixing alcohol with drugs, especially OTC meds, is risky and uncertain. If unsure, avoid alcohol until you speak with your pharmacist or doctor.
A reliable source for safe alcohol habits is the NIAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism).
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