Medicines that interact with alcohol
Many prescription and over-the-counter medicines interact with alcohol. For example, drinking while taking a diabetes medicine such as metformin (Glucophage) could result in very low blood sugar levels. Drinking while taking medicine for heartburn such as cimetidine (Tagamet) or ranitidine (Zantac) could result in a fast heartbeat.
Common medicines that interact with alcohol include:
- Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol).
- Antibiotics.
- Antihistamines.
- Tranquilizers.
- Aspirin and other medicines to prevent clotting of blood (anticoagulants).
- Some medicines to treat depression (antidepressants).
- Medicines to treat diabetes (hypoglycemics).
If you are taking any over-the-counter or prescription medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether you can safely drink alcohol.
| Author: | Jeannette Curtis Paul Lehnert | Last Updated: February 15, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine James R. McKay, PhD - Psychology | |
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