Alcohol can interact with many medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, and supplements.
Some interactions can make you more sleepy, dizzy, or less coordinated. This can increase the risk of falls, accidents, or impaired driving. Alcohol can also worsen side effects such as stomach irritation, liver strain, low blood sugar, or low blood pressure.
Medications that commonly raise concern with alcohol include sleep aids, anxiety medications, pain medications, muscle relaxers, antidepressants, allergy medications, diabetes medications, blood pressure medications, and some antibiotics.
The level of risk depends on the medication, your health conditions, your age, and how much alcohol is consumed. For some medications, alcohol should be avoided completely. For others, occasional alcohol may be less risky, but you should still ask first.
Never assume alcohol is safe with a medication just because the medication is common.
Bottom line: Alcohol can change how medications affect your body and may increase side effects. Ask your pharmacist before drinking alcohol with any prescription or over-the-counter medication.
