Drinking alcohol and effects with certain drugs
Written by Dr Harold Gunatillake FRCS, FICS, FIACS, MBBS AM (Sing) Health writer
The festive season has started, and those on certain medications needs to be careful, as interactions with some may even lead to death. Older people are more at risk and susceptible to mixing alcohol with certain medications than the younger ones
Antidepressant medication
Today with the stresses involved in daily life, most people are on antidepressants. The latter slows down the central nervous system including the brain, and alcohol too can have the same action, and a doubling effect will be noticed who combine the too, which could be dangerous and even lead to mental disturbances. Alcohol further worsens the symptoms of depression. Those people who take a class of antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression should avoid alcohol totally as the reaction could be fatal.
There are other milder drugs like the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac and Paxil and the reactions and adverse effects are much less, and your doctor may allow you to take a drink or two at social gatherings. The combination could cause drowsiness, and dizziness and driving should be avoided at any cost. Statins: There is hardly an adult not statins to lower the blood cholesterol, and in America about 32 million are on statins. A side effect of taking long term statins is liver damage and heavy drinking will worsen the situation and cause fatty infiltration of liver cells leading to hardeningcirrhosis. Furthermore, it is important to do a liver function test on your blood every three months, if you are on statin medication.
Those on blood pressure and heart medications
Beta-blockers given to slow the heart rate and lower the blood pressure interacts with alcohol, by decreasing the effect of beta-blockers. This medication is also prescribed for those having irregular heart rates, and after heart attacks People on these drugs should avoid drinking alcohol.
Most elderly people for hypertension are on angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE inhibitors). This medication is also given to those who had had heart attacks or stroke. The combination could interact and drop the blood pressure to dangerous levels.
Birth control pills
Women who take the contraceptive pill should avoid alcohol, because alcohol tends to remain in the body longer time due to the interaction.
Diabetes medications
Alcohol tends to lower the blood sugar and those having diabetes should eat some short eats or snack with alcoholic drinks. Those on metformin should not drink at all because the interaction could cause a dangerous condition called lactic acidosis where lactic acids get built up in the blood. You may need to enter casualty in the closest hospital for the treatment of acidosis. Early symptom of this state is nausea and general weakness. Other antidiabetic drugs like glimepiride and sulfonylurea drugs can interact with alcohol and cause dizziness, nausea, flushing and so on.
Gastroesophageal reflux and ulcer drugs
Alcohol can relax the muscles (sphincters) between the stomach and the gullet leading to acid reflux into the gullet. This is felt as a burning sensation behind the heart. Sometimes, you may mistake this pain to a heart attack. The popular drug that is prescribed for GERD is proton pump inhibitors, and though this drug does not interact with alcohol, the heart burn may get worse. Alcohol also irritates the stomach lining and erodes the surface to cause erosions and ulcers. Those who have a drink should drink plenty of milk with it or immediately after to give relief and prevent heart burn. There are other drugs that interact with alcohol, such as pain-killers and sleeping tablets. One could always avoid alcohol when you take these over the counter medicines.
Alcohol is part of the package of merry making and being happy during the festive season, but unfortunately those on certain medications should be aware of the interactions. One way of mitigation is to avoid the medications on the night you are going to indulge, but don’t tell your doctor, I said it.
(Some reference to article in LiveScience Health)
