|
You probably don’t think twice about taking an over-the-counter pain reliever or having a glass of wine or two with dinner. But the combination of pain relievers and alcohol can pose health risks.
When taken as directed, pain medications are generally considered safe. However, problems can arise when they are taken more frequently or in larger doses than recommended or taken in combination with other drugs -- including alcohol.
The May issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter recommends you consider these factors before deciding if it’s safe to drink an alcoholic beverage while taking pain medications.
Do you take pain relievers or drink alcohol often? The risk of side effects from combining pain relievers and alcohol is greater if you take medication frequently or drink alcohol frequently.
Do you take high doses of pain medication? The risk of serious side effects from alcohol use increases when you take a high dose of a pain reliever.
Does the medication cause side effects? If you’re already experiencing side effects from pain medication, such as stomach upset or drowsiness, alcohol will only make these side effects worse.
What’s your age? People over age 65 are at increased risk of adverse side effects from pain relievers. Plus, with age, your body processes alcohol more slowly, prolonging its effects.
Can you stop at one drink? It’s probably best to avoid alcohol altogether if you have difficulty stopping after one drink. The more you drink, the greater the risk.
Being cautious doesn’t necessarily mean you can never have alcohol while you take pain medications. The amount you can safely drink varies. For example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports adults who take more acetaminophen than recommended -- more then 4,000 milligrams a day (eight 500-milligram tablets) -- and who drink three or more alcoholic drinks a day may be at increased risk of liver damage. The FDA also reports that people who take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and drink more than three alcoholic drinks a day may be at increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
The best advice is caution. The less you combine a pain reliever and alcohol, the better. Because prescription pain relievers contain more potent medication than do nonprescription pain relievers, it’s generally recommended that you avoid alcohol when taking prescription pain medication.
Related Articles
• If You Are a Wine Drinker, Here Are Facts You Should Know
• Australian Government Develops Strategy for Combating Alcohol Abuse
• The Dangers of Dehydration (Part I)
• Coffee drinking associated with lower risk for alcohol-related liver disease (press release)
• Gatorade, soft drinks, coffee and alcohol no substitute for body's health requirement for pure water, says doctor
 |
Additional Resources:
alcohol
pain relievers
medication
|
Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com
 Email this article to a friend
 Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us
Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/019736.html
Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.
|
 |
 |
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE
 Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
- Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
- Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
|
|
 |
 |
Recommended Special Report:
 Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta
Read this special report now...
"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com
|
More on NaturalNews.com:
• Streaming Health Ranger Videos
• CounterThink Cartoons
• FREE Special Reports
• Podcasts
|
 |
|
Printable Version
