Caution! Alcohol and Other Drugs Do Not Mix
Many times students are unaware of the effects of drinking alcohol on medication. Certain medications such as antidepressants should never be mixed with alcohol. Another common mistake when students ask a doctor if they can drink on medication is that the amount is not discussed. Doctor’s often time define social use as one to two drinks in an evening and college student’s define social use as drinking with a group of people (not necessarily with a limit). Please make sure if you are on medication that specific guidelines are discussed with your physician on specific amount.
An interaction between alcohol and a drug is described as any change in the properties or effects of the drug in the presence of alcohol. Drug interactions may be:
- Additive: The net effect of the drug taken with alcohol is the sum of their effects.
- Synergistic: The effect of the drug when combined with alcohol is greater than the sum of their effects.
- Antagonistic: The effect of the drug is diminished in the presence of alcohol.
Since the liver is responsible for metabolizing drugs other than alcohol, potentially dangerous alcohol-drug interactions can occur in both light and heavy drinkers. If you take prescription or over-the-counter medications, ask your health care provider for advice about alcohol intake. Recognize that even herbal medicines and supplements can have adverse interactions with alcohol.
Time Released Capsules
Many cold and allergy medications, over-the-counter painkillers, vitamins, can come in a time release form it is important to know that acohol dissolves the coating, releasing the full dose immediately instead of being properly delayed.
| Drug | Effects | Interactions with Alcohol |
|---|---|---|
| Marijuana | A 2-4 hour high indicated by bloodshot eyes, slowed motor skills and reaction time, impaired recall, distorted perceptions of time and space. | Exacerbates the sedative effect and increases the level of intoxication of both drugs. |
| Cocaine | Mood elevation, euphoria, increased energy, alertness, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, decreased appetite. Alcohol may be used to counteract anxiety and tweaking effects of cocaine. | Potentially very dangerous because alcohol also elevates blood pressure, increasing risk for heart attack and stroke. |
| Hallucinogens | Altered perception of all senses, euphoria, anxiety, depersonalization increased body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, loss of appetite, sleeplessness. | Unknown, may counteract anxiety |
| Sedatives & Tranquilizers | Effects are similar to alcohol, but aggression is less likely, lowered inhibitions, slowed pulse and breathing, lowered blood pressure, drowsiness | Severe drowsiness, depressed cardiac and pulmonary functions which can be fatal. |
| Antidepressants | Medication may become ineffective and lessen their benefit, the side effects from your medication could also worsen. Some antidepressants cause drowsiness, and so does alcohol. Mixing the two could make you sleepy, which is dangerous in situations where you need to be alert, such as driving, or at work. | Studies have proved that even social drinking may impair your ability to react quickly and remain alert while driving, even hours after consuming a single alcoholic drink. Severe drowsiness. A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), can be very dangerous causing a dangerous spike in blood pressure, leading to a stroke. |
| Opiates | Euphoria, constricted pupils, lowered blood pressure and heart rate. | Enhances sedative effect of both, increasing the risk of overdose. |
| Antibiotics | Nausea and abdominal pain are fairly common side effects. | Most antibiotics are less effective when taken with alcohol, may exacerbate nausea. |
| Antihistamines | Drowsiness, dry mouth. | Severe drowsiness. |
| Aspirin & Ibuprofen | Minor side effects include nausea, heartburn, nervousness. | Increases the risk for gastrointestinal bleeding. |
| Antidiabetic/Hypoglycemic | Drugs used to treat diabetes and hypoglycemia, such as insulin, combined with alcohol can cause severe and unpredictable reactions. | People taking these medications should avoid alcohol at all times. |