Why do many prescription drugs warn against drinking alcoholic beverages concomitantly?

Question

What is it about alcohol that interacts with so many prescription medications? Is it really unsafe? How many drinks are too much and what could be the reaction? I am taking Cymbalta, Diclofenac and Cyclobenzaprine for Arthritis, herniated lumbar disks and Fibromyalgia. Is a glass or two of red wine with dinner really unadvisable?

Answer 1

Dear Di,
Considering the meds & conditions you mention, you must be in a lot of chronic pain. Did you drink before these maladies appeared to ravage your body? If so, did it help (or did you think it helped)? I looked up each of the meds you mention and each cautions against ingesting alcoholic beverages although there was no "why" indicated. My educated best guess is that all 3 of these meds are used to suppress pain which means they have a 'depressant' action; so does alcohol and if you mix them you can overdepress your pain center in your nervous system. I have also heard that drugs that are SSRIs can actually raise your blood pressure if mixed with alcohol......is your BP high or does your heart race or pound? I encourage to you to survey your reasons for asking this question.....is drinking so important that you are looking for a Yahoo! Answer to support your subconscious need (physical or mental) to have a few drinks? You are obviously seeking a solution to your pain but it can't be combined with alcohol. If you have already asked your Physician and/or Pharmacist, I'm sure you received the same answer: NO! Find something else to quench your thirst...besides, wine (at least the truly enjoyable ones) can be an expense and you certainly don't want to be swilling jug wine do you? Also, wine has empty sugars & carbs that do your dondition no good anyway. How about some sparkling water with a lime? I wish you well on your journey!
Blessings!

Answer 2

Well good question, first alcohol is a depressant and a poison, it makes everything slow down, so if you are also taking a depressant, it can double or intensify the other drug/s and there are many medicaitons that become a toxic poison when mixed with other drugs. Any alcohol is dangerous, when you go to bed the medications and alcohol send messages to your brain, slow down the breathing, slow down the heart, slow down and the intensity could fluctuate and stop your heart while you are sleeping and you would be dead very soon. It just isnt worth a glass of wine is it? Wine doesnt taste that good!

Answer 3

First many chemicals are soluble in alcohol so the medication may be absorbed in a higher concentration by the body leading to toxic results faster. Second Alcohol is metabolized by the liver. As many medications are metabolized by the liver and can be hepatotoxic the combination intensifies this effect. Third Some medications are LESS absorbed or even destroyed by alcohol (many antibiotics). Also some antibiotics as they are metabolized are hard on the liver double whammy there as you are then taking a substance that is not working because you took it with alcohol and then you are adding insult to injury by giving liver a double whammy. Pain meds and alcohol are a definite nono as these medications are a CNS depressant and alcohol is also a CNS depressant you increase absorption rate and cause decrease respiratory function. (Leading cause to accidental overdoses...)
Now red wine a glass (4 oz) is recommended by many cardiac doctors as being heart healthy, but you need to ask you doctor with regards to your specific medical condition.

Answer 4

The thing with alcohol and medication is that it can either negate the effects of the medication or it can magnify the effects of medication. Also with a drug like diclofenac, an antiinflamatory, you risk causing stomach problems.

In reality, a glass or two occasionally probably won't harm you unless you are on strong meds. It would be wise though to ask this question to a pharmacist.

Answer 5

<> Having read ahead, you answer your own question. . . so why ask? <> The Bible speaks of drinking in moderation. <> Hang on - are you asking whether these Christians "drink alcoholic beverages" or 'get drunk"? Those two phrases mean two very different things, you know. It is morally permissible to drink alcoholic beverages in moderation - but getting drunk is a sin. <> Are you implying that Catholic and non-Catholic Christians who "drink alcoholic beverages" and even "get drunk" from time to time - are alcoholics? If you're going to make a presumption, why presume the worst? <> So what? What is your point?

Answer 6

yes it is not safe to drink alcohol with prescribed medicines.for one reason is because the alcohol can make the medicine more stronger than normal.take lortabs for instance.if you took one of these and took it with as you said red wine the wine will make the lortab become more powerful than it really is.making it difficult for your body to adjust to the real strentgh that the lortab has.please do not take alcohol with these prescribed meds.
blessed be,
Lord Ashka aka dark witch

Answer 7

the liver gets screwed up with alcohol. and meds like advil etc. effect the liver.. idk about what youre taking.. but i wouldnt drink if it says not to.