Alcohol and Medication Interactions

Being mindful of these food triggers and avoiding them, even while drinking, can prevent heartburn. Working out which types of drinks trigger a person’s heartburn, and avoiding these drinks, can prevent heartburn. On the other hand, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that affects various parts of the body. This CME/CE credit opportunity is jointly provided by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and NIAAA. Some medications—including many popular painkillers and cough, cold, and allergy remedies—contain more than one ingredient that can react with alcohol. Read the label on the medication bottle to find out exactly what ingredients a medicine contains.

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Alcohol circulating in the blood is transported to the liver, where it is broken down by several enzymes, the most important of which are ADH and cytochrome P450 (figure 2). The activities of these enzymes may vary from person to person, contributing to the observed variations in alcohol elimination rates among individuals (Martin et al. 1985). The contribution of bacteria living in the large intestine (i.e., colon) to gastrointestinal alcohol metabolism is still controversial. Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that these bacteria can metabolize alcohol. In addition, a breakdown product of alcohol (i.e., acetaldehyde) is generated in the colon after alcohol administration.

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This relaxation can lead to increased acid reflux and exacerbate heartburn symptoms. If you experience heartburn regularly, it’s recommended to avoid alcohol or seek alternatives to manage your symptoms. Combining Zantac with alcohol can result in increased sensitivity to the effects of alcohol.

What if I Have an Antacid Prescription and Want to Drink Alcohol?

Alcohol is absorbed through your intestines and passes through the liver into the blood. As it passes through the liver, a significant portion of the alcohol is changed by the liver so that it is not alcohol when it enters the bloodstream. Practically, this means that when someone takes a drink of alcohol, only a portion of it reaches the blood and causes intoxication.

1. Additionally, alcohol can irritate the lining of the esophagus, making it more susceptible to damage.
2. This may be due to various reasons, including irritation of the throat or stomach or the way alcohol affects stomach acid.
3. The combination of medication and alcohol can lead to serious health consequences, including overdose and even death.

It is important to note that individual responses to the interaction between Zantac and alcohol can vary. Factors such as dosage, frequency of use, overall health, and alcohol consumption patterns can influence the extent of these interactions and the degree of impaired coordination. Older people are at particularly high risk for harmful alcohol–medication interactions. Aging slows the body’s ability to break down alcohol, so alcohol remains in a person’s system longer. Older people also are more likely to take a medication that interacts with alcohol—in fact, they often need to take more than one of these medications.

It is advisable to follow guidelines for moderate drinking, which typically means no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Finally, consumers frequently are unaware of the type of medication they take (e.g., NSAID or analgesic). For example, only one in three adults are familiar with the product names acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen and are able to link these product names to specific brand names. As a result, many consumers are not fully aware of the potential risks of taking these products, particularly in combination with other prescription medications or alcohol. Conversely, people taking MAO inhibitors or atypical antidepressants can experience adverse consequences when simultaneously consuming alcohol. Thus, MAO inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine and tranylcypromine) can induce severe high blood pressure if they are consumed together with a substance called tyramine, which is present in red wine.

If you lie about the amount of alcohol you consume on a regular basis, your doctor can’t accurately judge the risks and benefits of prescribing a particular medication. If you take any medication—even over-the-counter (OTC) products—drinking alcohol might affect how your meds work. Zantac is primarily metabolized in what was eminem addicted to the liver by enzymes known as cytochrome P450 (CYP450). Our state-specific resource guides offer a comprehensive overview of drug and alcohol addiction treatment options available in your area.

Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about how alcohol might interact with a drug you are taking. Your pharmacist or other health care provider can help you determine which medications interact harmfully with alcohol. By incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you may be able to reduce your overall stress levels and manage your acid reflux symptoms more effectively. If you’re experiencing acid reflux symptoms, it’s best to avoid these foods and beverages or consume them in moderation. Additionally, eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day instead of large meals can help reduce symptoms. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or experiencing concerning symptoms related to the combination of Zantac and alcohol, it’s important to seek help and support.