Drinking alcohol often starts as a social activity, but for some it can turn into an unhealthy habit. Understanding how alcohol interacts with certain substances is critical, especially for those taking medications where mixing the two can have severe consequences. Here are 5 types of medications that should never be combined with drinking alcohol:
Pain Medications
Taking medications that help with pain, whether it’s Tylenol or a prescription, can lead to an increased risk of serious side effects. With medications like opioids that are often prescribed for severe pain, the risk could be drowsiness that is life-threatening or difficulty breathing. Those who do drink and need help with recovery so they can once again take medication to help with chronic or acute pain will want to seek help through a wellness center.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics include side effects like nausea, and that’s without combining them with anything. Combining them with alcohol can make these side effects much worse or can even lead to heart issues, liver damage, and other severe medical problems. It’s crucial to take the full dose of antibiotics to recover and prevent the issue from becoming worse, so it is important to avoid drinking for the entire time they are taken.
Over-the-Counter Medications
It’s all too easy to end up takingover-the-counter medications while drinking, but it is something that should be avoided. Alcohol not only can make you feel worse and take longer to recover, but it can also impact the effectiveness of the medications intended to help you feel better. Combining alcohol with over-the-counter medications can lead to worsened side effects like dizziness or drowsiness, which can be dangerous. It can also end up causing life-threatening complications.
Anxiety Medications or Sleeping Pills
Those who suffer from anxiety, insomnia, and related issues may drink to help them cope. Combining this with medications is never a good idea, and it’s better to find different ways to deal with anxiety or get to sleep at night. The combination can lead to increased drowsiness or trouble breathing, which can lead to serious medical conditions or death.
Antidepressants
The effects of antidepressants combined with alcohol can vary based on the specific medication being taken. It is never a good idea to combine them with alcohol, though. Potential side effects can range from dizziness to liver damage or serious heart impacts. Alcohol can also reduce the medication’s effectiveness, so the person isn’t getting the help they need to battle depression.
Drinking should never be combined with medications. It has the ability to cause severe and sometimes life-threatening complications. For those who have trouble with quitting alcohol when they need to be on short-term or long-term medications, getting help through a rehab program may be needed. With the right help, it’s possible to recover from an alcohol addiction and start on the path to a healthier life. With this, the person will once again be able to take medications safely and move forward with their life. Always speak with a doctor about potential interactions to understand the impact they could have and how dangerous it can be to combine alcohol and medications.
