Alcohol interactions with medication

It's the time of the year when everybody is in Party mood and you are bound to go to a party or two. When you are out with your friends or colleagues It's easy to get carried away and drink more than you should.

If you are on medication then it's important to know your limits and what effect would your alcohol consumption have on your health. That's why we are giving out the following information on the related topic. You may find it useful.

 

Alcohol interactions with medication

Over the festive period, it is likely that many patients may increase their alcohol intake. It is important to know the dangers of binge drinking and increased alcohol intake during this time. You should be aware about your alcohol intake and the effect this may have on your health.

As well as the dangers of increased alcohol intake, there are a number of drugs listed below which interact with alcohol. Whilst this list is not exhaustive, it gives examples of the more common drugs which can interact with alcohol which the pharmacist may want to counsel patients about.

• Metronidazole – You should  not  drink alcohol whilst taking metronidazole orally and for at least 48 hours after stopping it
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• Warfarin – Binge drinking of alcohol may inhibit the metabolism of warfarin and increase INR levels. However, long term heavy drinking can induce warfarin metabolism
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• Paracetamol – In chronic or heavy drinkers, alcohol may induce the enzymes that convert paracetamol to its hepatotoxic metabolite - so heavy drinkers may be at increased risk of liver damage even after moderate doses of paracetamol. However there does appear to be differing views on the use of paracetamol in alcoholics
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• Verapamil – Alcohol levels in the blood may be increased for longer period of time than usual in patients taking verapamil. Verapamil delays the elimination of alcohol and prolongs the feeling of intoxication. Patients should be warned they may be "Over the limit" for driving for longer than usual after drinking alcohol
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• Phenytoin and carbamazepine – Moderate or occasional drinking appears to have little or no effect on serum phenytoin and carbamazepine levels. Chronic heavy drinking reduces serum phenytoin levels so higher doses of phenytoin may be required. The metabolism of carbamazepine may be increased by heavy drinking.
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• Other antibiotics – Alcohol should not be taken with certain antibiotics such as metronidazole, ketoconazole and griseofulvin as patients may develop a disulfiram-like reaction

For further information on this or any other query, please contact East Hill Pharmacy on 0208 874 1636 or NPA Pharmacy Services Team on 01727 891800 / 0844 7364201