•  
  •  

Medicines That Interact With Alcohol

Topic Overview

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.

Related Information

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Peter Monti, PhD - Alcohol and Addiction
Last Revised January 18, 2012

Last Revised: January 18, 2012

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Peter Monti, PhD - Alcohol and Addiction

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

To learn more visit Healthwise.org

© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.