
The Dangers Of Mixing Alcohol With Medications
Most people see medication warning labels and don’t fully understand the dangers. For instance, combining alcohol with most medications can cause severe health consequences such as loss of coordination, headaches and fainting. Read on to discover more about mixing alcohol with various medications.
Side Effects of Mixing Medications with Alcohol
There are several health-related reasons why it’s harmful to mix alcohol and medications. Alcohol consumption while you’re on prescribed medication can impact how effective the medication is and interfere with how it’s absorbed, often leading to increased risks for consequences. While there are other side effects, these are the common symptoms of mixing medication with alcohol:
- Abnormal behaviour.
- Blood pressure changes.
- Lack of coordination.
- Dizziness and headaches.
- Nausea and vomiting.
10 Common Medications that Pose a Risk
ADHD Medications
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is managed and treated with stimulant drugs such as Ritalin or central alpha agonists. When mixed with alcohol, which is a common sedative, stimulants can cause harmful physical and psychological effects, which can lead to seizures due to an increased risk of overdosing. Additionally, research suggests that there’s a higher chance of dependence on stimulants if taken with alcohol.
Antidepressants
Did you know that alcohol can affect how your brain works? Alcohol consumption can worsen mental health symptoms such as anxiety and depression. This is why it’s important to limit your intake of alcohol and avoid mixing it with your prescribed medication to manage and treat any mental health conditions.
Sleeping Pills
Medications used to improve sleep disorders such as insomnia act as sedatives. When mixed with alcohol, their sedating effects can be increased significantly, leading to abnormal behaviour, impaired breathing, motor coordination and memory loss. In some instances, it can result in a fatal overdose that can affect your central nervous system, which includes your brain function.
Allergy, Cold and Flu Medications
Combining alcohol and medications to treat allergies, colds, and the flu can have devastating consequences. The most common symptoms of these illnesses include drowsiness and dizziness, which are also usual when you consume alcohol. The risks, such as impaired focus and judgment, can be severe if you have to drive or operate heavy machinery.
Antibiotics
Several types of antibiotics are antimicrobial substances used to treat bacterial infections in your system. However, their effectiveness might be affected when taken with alcohol, resulting in failure to clear up your infection. Changes in blood pressure, a rapid heart rate, and liver damage are common symptoms associated with the combination of antibiotics and alcohol consumption.
Blood Thinners
Cardiovascular diseases such as atrial fibrillation, which causes poor blood flow, putting you at risk of developing blood clots, can be managed and treated with medications that thin your blood. However, blood thinners increase your likelihood of bleeding easily. When alcohol interacts with your system, it also thins your blood, which can increase the risk of internal bleeding if you already use blood thinners.
Anti-Nausea
Over-the-counter or prescribed antihistamines used to manage symptoms to treat nausea can impair your motor control and make you feel dizzy. These are similar reactions that can be triggered by alcohol consumption. However, when you combine medications used to treat nausea with alcohol, it can intensify the side effects.
Cholesterol Medications
According to research, mild liver inflammation is a severe side effect caused by cholesterol medications known as statins. Mixing alcohol and statins can increase stomach bleeding and worsen liver damage. It’s advisable to avoid alcohol consumption if you have been prescribed cholesterol medication.
Over-the-Counter Pain Medications
If you’re not picking up prescription medication from the pharmacy and opt for over-the-counter medications, you should read the package insert to understand any warnings. In most cases, painkillers are generally unsafe to consume with alcohol. If you’re unsure about the consequences, it’s best to speak to a pharmacist to find out if there are any known risks that can impact your health.
Muscle Relaxants
Injuries or medical conditions such as back and neck pain can cause muscle spasms requiring muscle relaxants. These medications can suppress how your central nervous system responds, impacting your brain, heart and lungs. Additionally, combining them with alcohol can cause severe side effects such as memory loss, impaired motor function and seizures.
Understanding how to read medication warning labels can help prevent health complications. Most importantly, it can help you understand the dangers of mixing alcohol with medications to avoid severe health consequences. Affinity Health plans provide many benefits, such as unlimited, managed doctor consultations, to ensure you seek accurate and professional advice when you receive your prescription medication.
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