Alcohol-Drug Interactions: An Essential Guide

There are many drugs that are labeled to avoid alcohol to somewhat warn of drug-alcohol interactions that occur during the patient's intake of the drug. Because in fact, the use of alcohol with drugs, in addition to affecting the therapeutic effect, can also cause many side effects.

Alcohol is considered one of the most commonly abused substances in today's society after nicotine found in cigarettes. Alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant and is also used in some cases to treat pain in neurological conditions. In medicine, drinking alcohol is seen as a way to increase the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA and decrease the nerve signaling along this pathway. Therefore, alcohol is known as a central nervous system depressant, reducing the patient's thinking ability as well as physical capacity.
There are many drugs that when taken with alcohol will cause interactions, so before using any drug, it is necessary to evaluate the drug and alcohol reaction clinically. Some studies have suggested that drinking alcohol may be beneficial for the heart, but drinking alcohol and taking drugs at the same time will prevent the treatment effects that the drug brings to the patient. Even prescription and over-the-counter drugs, herbs, and supplements should all be tested when combined with alcohol, as serious drug interactions can occur. However, do not arbitrarily stop using any medication without specific instructions from your doctor.

Drug and alcohol interactions can occur if a patient takes certain medications that contain alcohol as an inactive ingredient, typically cough and cold medicines, which patients can easily buy without a prescription. When taking these drugs, drug-alcohol interactions can cause a lot of sleepiness in the patient and be dangerous if the patient is driving or performing tasks that require intense concentration. Drug-alcohol interactions often occur with the following classes of drugs:
High blood pressure drugs Sedatives Drugs for anxiety disorders Pain relievers Muscle relaxants Antidiabetic drugs Blood cholesterol lowering drugs Antidepressants Antipsychotics Among these, blood pressure medication and alcohol consumption are a form of interaction that is always considered when a patient is consulted with a physician, although this is a safe combination in many studies. certain degree. However, drug-alcohol interactions in these cases can lead to hypotension. The combination of pain relievers and alcohol should also be avoided, because opioids in pain relievers when taken with alcohol will slow down the patient's breathing, and can even be fatal. Drinking alcohol while taking steroids can cause bleeding and stomach ulcers to some extent. Taking antidepressants and alcohol leads to drug interactions that cause drowsiness and dizziness, so this should be avoided.

Interaction between drugs and alcohol is something that should be avoided in clinical drug use because it can cause some bad reactions in the body, thereby affecting the patient's health. The use of drugs with alcohol should be closely managed in terms of time, dosage as well as advice on alcohol-containing drugs that the patient needs to be aware of. In fact, the use of drugs for the right purpose always brings positive effects in the prevention and treatment of diseases. Therefore, patients should consult and strictly follow the instructions of the doctor, pharmacist in the matter of taking medicine.
If there are any questions, the patient can go to the doctor for a health check and in-depth consultation. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is a quality medical care address with all medical examination and treatment services for all ages and different genders. The examination at the hospital is always performed by a team of qualified doctors with many years of experience in the profession.