Many, many people fail to realize that
alcohol is a really, really nasty
drug. Not unlike a young male, it has a
habit of acting
out when in the company of it's
peers. As it is legal, however, people will often drink without first stoping to think about whether or not it's going to do
Very Bad Things in the company of medication they may be on. Alcohol can inhibit
prescribed medication, preventing them from functioning.... But it can also react negatively with many
over the counter drugs, and things like
iron supplements that we traditionally regard as being harmless. The following has been adapted from a
pamphlet put out by
The Nebraska Council to Prevent Alcohol and Drug Abuse. as per the notice on the original, I must inform you that you are encouraged to reproduce/copy the information contained in this
node.
Without further
ado, here are results of combining alcohol with various common medicinal drugs/
supplements.
Sedatives
- (Valium, Aativan, Xanax, Serax, Buspar, etc.) Decreases alertness and judgement and can lead
to household accidents and automobile crashes.
This is an especially dangerous combination which
may be fatal.
Over-the-Counter Painkillers:
- (Aspirin, Bufferin, Excedrin,Anacin, Alka-Seltzer, etc.) Increases stomach irritation and the potential for
bleeding in the stomach.
- (Acetaminophen, Tylenol, etc.) Increases the possibility of liver damage.
- (Non-steriodal drugs, ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, ketoprofen, Orudis, naproxen sodium, Aleve, etc.) Increases stomach irritation, and the potential for
bleeding in the stomach, and the potential for liver
damage.
Prescription Painkillers:
- (Non-steroidal drugs: ibuprofen, Motrin, naproxen sodium, Anaprox, naproxen, Naprosyn, Toradol,Voltaren, Orudis, Daypro, etc.) As above, increases the irritation and potential for
bleeding in the stomach and the potential for liver
damage.
- (Narcotics:codeine, Demerol,Darvon, Darvocet,
Ultram, Percodan, Percocet, Tylox, Lartab,
hydrocodone, etc.) Decreases alertness and judgement, and can
reduce brain functioning, leading to the loss of
effective breathing and possible death.
Timed-release or Enteric-coated Drugs:
- (
Contac, vitamins, iron supplements, enteric coated
aspirin, etc.)Alcohol can dissolve these protective coatings
allowing and immediate release of the full dose of
medicine rather than spreading it across serveral
hours. This can result in damage to the stomach.
Stimulants:
- (Weight loss products, Dexedrine, caffeine,
Ritalin, Benzedrine, methamphetamine, ephedrine,
MaHuang, etc.) Stimulants may give the drinker a false sense of
control and alertness. Stimulants do not improve
functioning or help you to gain control. You end up
awake and drunk, not sober.
Sleep Aids:
- (Over-the-counter: Tylenol PM, Sominex, Nytol, Quiet
World, etc.) Most of these drugs are antihistamines. Alcohol
will increase the sedative effect of these drugs and
can lead to increased household accidents and
automobile crashes.
- Prescriptions: Dalmane, Halcion, Restoril, Seconal,
Ambien, etc. This can be a fatal combination resulting in respiratory failure, coma, and possible death.
Cough, Cold, Allergy, and Motion Sickness Products:
- (Actifed, Contac, Dristan, NyQuil, Dimetapp, Benadryl,
Dramamine, Bonine, etc.)
All of these products may contain antihistamines
which, as described above, can cause increased
sedation and loss of functioning when combined
with alcohol.
Antipsychotics:
- (Stelazine, Mellaril, Thorazine, Prolixin, Clozaril, Haldol,
etc.)
This combination should be avoided at all times.
Mixing these drugs with alcohol may result in
severe impairment, difficulty walking, thinking, and
driving. This combination may also result in liver
damage, coma, or death.
Diuretics or "Water Pills":
- (Lasix, Dyazide, Maxide,Bumex, etc.)
Mixing alcohol with Diuretics often causes extreme dizzyness, balance problems.
Anitcoagulants or "Blood Thinners":
- (Coumadin, Lovenox, Heparin, etc.)
Alcohol increases the ability of these drugs to slow
clotting. This can lead to life-threatening bleeding.
In people who drink all the time, these drugs may
not work as well as they should.
Antidepressants:
- (Prozac, Wellbutrin,Zoloft, Elavil, Tofranil, Sinequan,
Luvox, Nardil, Parnate, etc.)
Alcohol is a depressant. Combining alcohol with
antidepressants will keep the drug from doing its
job. Certain anticonvulsants, when combined with
alcohol, can lead to life-threateningly high blood
pressure.
Antidiabetic Drugs:
- (insulin, Diabainese, Glucotrol, Micronase, Orinase,
Precose, Glucophage, etc.)
Alcohol has severe and unpredictable reactions
when mixed with these drugs. Drinking alcohol
makes it very difficult to control blood sugar.
Patients with diabetes should avoid drinking
alcohol.
Anitibiotics:
- (penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, Flagyl, erythromicin,
Bactrim, etc.) Interactions between alcohol and antibiotics vary a
great deal. Always ask your pharmacist before
using alcohol with antibiotics.
I did this rather late at night, so if something doesn't sound right/make sense please msg me.