Can I still take this medication after drinking alcohol?
Disease description:
I am 32 years old this year. I just consumed alcohol, and currently have no physical discomfort. However, I am unsure whether I can still take the medications I am currently using. Can I continue taking them?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
There are many risks associated with taking medication after consuming alcohol. Alcohol is primarily metabolized in the liver, and many medications are also processed there. Drinking alcohol may affect the activity of drug-metabolizing enzymes, leading to abnormal increases or decreases in drug concentrations in the body, thereby affecting drug efficacy or increasing the likelihood of adverse reactions.
The interactions between different medications and alcohol vary; some combinations may lead to severe consequences, such as disulfiram-like reactions, causing symptoms including facial flushing, headache, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and potentially even life-threatening situations.
If the drug instructions state that the medication should be avoided or used with caution after drinking alcohol, it must not be taken, and you should contact your doctor promptly. If the instructions do not mention alcohol-related information, it is also advisable to exercise caution and wait until the alcohol has been mostly metabolized before taking the medication.
