The Dangers of Consuming Alcohol After Drinking Medication

For some people, drinking alcoholic beverages or those containing alcohol has become a habit. As a result, this habit is difficult to let go and continues to be carried out even when you are sick and taking medicines either prescribed by a doctor or purchased at a pharmacy. If you have noticed, some medicines include a warning on the product packaging or brochure so that you avoid alcohol consumption while you are still taking the medicine. As it turns out, this warning is serious because if you underestimate it, consuming alcohol while you are still on medication can be fatal.

Medicines that should not be taken with alcohol

Basically an alcoholic drink like beer, wine, or whiskey should not be consumed when you are seeking a treatment for example for coughs, colds, allergies or headaches. The drugs you take will react with the alcohol content and have harmful effects on the body. In addition, it will be increasingly difficult for your body to heal and recover from the disease you are fighting. Even with certain types of drugs, alcohol can reduce the efficacy of the drugs you are currently taking.

Medicines that should not be taken together with alcohol include cold medicines, pain relievers, fever-reducing drugs, digestive medicines, arthritis drugs, and coronary heart disease drugs. There are many other types of over-the-counter drugs and antibiotics which when taken with alcohol can cause dangerous effects. You should immediately ask health workers or read on the brochure whether the medicine you are taking is safe to take with alcohol.

Side effects of consuming alcohol after taking the drug

Alcohol can make you feel sleepy and weak. So, drinking alcohol after taking medication can further increase this effect. You will have difficulty concentrating and thinking clearly. As a result, activities that require your vigilance such as making decisions or driving a motorized vehicle are very difficult or even impossible to do. In addition, some drugs can have a special reaction when mixed with alcoholic beverages. Pay attention to the following side effects.

Allergy medicine

Consuming alcoholic beverages after taking allergy medicine will weaken the work of your central nervous system. You will become weak, sleepy, and dizzy. You’re also more likely to overdose.

Cold and cough medicine

Avoid drinking alcohol while you are on cold and cough medications. Similar to allergy medications, you will also feel weak, dizzy, and lightheaded if you consume alcohol after taking cold and cough medicine.

Pain relievers

If you are taking headache, nerve, muscle, or joint pain relievers, do not consume alcohol until you have completely stopped medication. Side effects include ulcers, heart palpitations, bleeding, convulsions, shortness of breath, and loss of motor function.

Febrifuge

Consuming alcohol after taking fever-reducing drugs such as paracetamol will cause dangerous side effects such as stomach pain, bloating, and heart palpitations. You will also be at increased risk of overdose.

Arthritis medication

Be careful if you have arthritis and you are on medication. Drinking alcohol after the drug can make you dizzy, lightheaded, to sores and bleeding in the stomach. In some cases, especially alcoholics, you may also have liver damage.

Coronary heart disease drugs

For those of you who have coronary heart disease and are taking medication, do not drink alcohol because it can increase the risk of changes in blood pressure, headaches, palpitations, to loss of consciousness or fainting.

Antibiotics

Some antibiotics such as amoxicillin, tinidazole, and metronidazole can be very dangerous if taken together with alcoholic beverages. The side effects of each antibiotic vary, but in general, consuming alcoholic drinks after taking antibiotics can cause nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and heart palpitations.

Risk of complications from consuming alcohol after taking the drug

Apart from the side effects already mentioned, consuming alcohol after taking medication also increases the risk of complications that are harmful to your health in the long term. The following are complications that may occur as a result of consuming alcohol after taking medication.