Can I drink alcohol after taking Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets?
Disease description:
I've had serious internal heat recently and just took some Niuhuang Jiedu tablets. There's a party tonight, and I'm wondering if I can drink alcohol after taking this medicine. Would there be any adverse reactions? I'm feeling quite uneasy about it.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Generally, it is not recommended to consume alcohol after taking Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets.
Niuhuang Jiedu Tablet is a traditional Chinese medicine preparation that has various effects including clearing heat and detoxifying, resolving phlegm and relieving convulsions, eliminating dampness and killing parasites. It is commonly used for treating symptoms such as heat toxicity accumulation and sore throat. However, the ingredients in Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets may interact adversely with alcohol. Particularly, Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets may contain Western medicine ingredients such as metoprolol tartrate, which can cause a disulfiram-like reaction when combined with alcohol, leading to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.
In addition, Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets themselves may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort as side effects. When combined with alcohol, these side effects may be exacerbated, such as increased nausea and vomiting. Moreover, alcohol might interfere with the absorption and distribution of the active ingredients in Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets, thereby weakening their heat-clearing and detoxifying effects. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid consuming alcohol while taking Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets to reduce unnecessary health risks.
When taking Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets, patients should also avoid eating spicy, greasy foods and drinking beverages containing alcohol to prevent interference with drug absorption and therapeutic effectiveness.
