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DOSSIERSAlcohol and medicines  Introduction Which medicines? A summary article from TEST GEZONDHEID ...Which medicines? Alcohol has a different effect on different medicines. In what follows we give a summary of the main groups of medicines on which alcohol has an effect. Pain-killersCertain pain-killers numb the brain in much the same way as alcohol. These are the pain-killers derived from morphine, the 'opiate' anodynes or analgesics. Alcohol will intensify certain secondary effects of these substances, such as drowsiness, impaired co-ordination and shallow breathing. Certain pain-killers have the side effect of irritating the gastric mucosa, thus causing stomach complaints. Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin), ibuprofen (Actifen, Advil, Brufen, Femapirin, Ibosure, Nurofen, Relian and Zafen), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam) and naproxen (Femex, Naprocoat, Naprosyne, Naprovite and Nycopren), for instance, all have this effect. Combined with alcohol, they attack the stomach lining. One side effect of some pain-killers, such as actelysalicylic acid, ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen, is that they thin down the blood, which means it takes longer to clot if you cut yourself. If you drink alcohol with these medicines, the wound will bleed for longer. Which is only logical, since alcohol dilates the blood vessels. Anti-allergenics The older medicines for allergies have the side effects of causing drowsiness and impaired co-ordination and concentration. Alcohol increases these effects with: dexchlorofeniramine (Polaramine), diphenhydramine (Dramamine) and mebhydroline. However, alcohol has no influence on the side effects of the new anti-allergenics such as loratadine (Claritine, Allerfre), terfenadine (Triludan), cetirizine (Zyrtec) and fexofenadine (Telfast). Anti-epileptics An occasional glass of alcohol has no influence on the number of epileptic attacks. However, with carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Diphantoin) and phenobarbital the following side effects are intensified through alcohol: sleepiness, impairment of co-ordination and concentration. As long as you bear this in mind, there should be no problem in drinking a glass of alcohol every now and then. Blood sugar-level reducers Alcohol has no influence on the effect of insulin and other blood sugar-level reducers. However, diabetes patients must be careful around alcohol, because it can bring on a 'hypo'. Begin by drinking alcohol in moderation. You can then find out for yourself whether alcohol causes you problems. As a general rule, men can drink a maximum of three glasses per day, women no more than two. It is better to drink the alcohol on a full stomach, because otherwise the effect on the blood glucose level is too strong. Alcohol can increase the stupefying effect of antidepressants. You must take this into account if you are driving a vehicle or are engaged in any other such activity that calls for close attention. You will feel less 'groggy' after a while, as you become used to the drug. However, your reactions are still slow, and will become even slower through the consumption of alcohol. Antipsychotics Alcohol can intensify the following side effects: drowsiness, impaired co-ordination and concentration. You must take this into account if you are driving a vehicle or are engaged in any other such activity that calls for close attention. Sleeping pills and tranquilizers Alcohol can intensify the following side effects: drowsiness, impaired co-ordination and concentration. You must take this into account if you are driving a vehicle or are engaged in any other such activity that calls for close attention. Antibiotics For almost all antibiotics, drinking alcohol is no problem. Only metronidazole (Flagyl) produces a number of unpleasant side effects when taken in combination with alcohol. This product is prescribed for certain sexually-transmitted diseases and vaginal infections. You might suffer from loss of appetite, nausea, headaches and, sometimes, a red face. This possibly also applies for ketoconazole (Nizoral). Detoxifiers (for alcohol addiction) Disulfiram (Antabus, Refusal) is administered to persons wishing to break free of their addiction to alcohol. Anyone who drinks alcohol in combination with the product immediately displays the following symptoms: a fall in blood pressure, palpitations, headaches, a hot, flushed face, sweating and nausea. The subject will often also suffer from anxiety and nervous tension. Acamprostat (Campral) is used a rehabilitator for persons with an addiction to alcohol. It reduces the craving for strong drink. | |
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