5 Dangers of Mixing Alcohol With Ibuprofen and Other NSAIDs

If you have asthma, ibuprofen can make your asthma symptoms worse. High doses or long-term use of ibuprofen may also lead to kidney failure, heart attack, or stroke. They might also decide to drink an alcoholic beverage to relax, soothe their throat or help them sleep. However, combining Motrin and alcohol is unwise and not recommended. Motrin is an accessible, over-the-counter medicine for pain and cold symptoms. People often take this to relieve aches and other symptoms that come with the common cold.

  • Motrin and alcohol can both increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeds and other stomach problems.
  • ● Kidney damage– because both substances trigger stress on the kidneys, the risk of kidney damage is more significant when we take them simultaneously.
  • As a result, you damage your delicate gastrointestinal tissue.
  • Alcoholic beverages can aggravate the stomach irritation caused by aspirin.
  • You may choose from inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient, or partial hospitalization treatment.
  • Signs of this include confusion, drowsiness, lack of coordination, slowed reaction times, slurred speech, or slow movement.

Even one drink causes your stomach to boost acid production. With more acid in your digestive tract and less protection against it, you’re more susceptible to damaging your delicate tissues. If you have consumed a small-to-moderate amount of alcohol along with ibuprofen, do not drink any more alcohol. You can reduce the risk of stomach upset by eating a snack or small meal and switching to drinking water.

Risks of Mixing Ibuprofen and Alcohol

Alcohol on its own is a known irritant to the stomach lining and can cause ulcers in heavy drinkers, so and adding ibuprofen into the mix can compound the effects. Taking ibuprofen and other NSAIDS alone can damage the stomach and increase your chances of gastrointestinal bleeding and/or getting an ulcer. Combining ibuprofen and alcohol amplifies the danger, she says.

Ibuprofen can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers and stomach perforations in people who take chronic ibuprofen treatment. Ibuprofen is a NSAID, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It works as a pain reducer and, you guessed it, also reduces inflammation. The most concerning side effect is that ibuprofen can cause irritation in the lining of the stomach that can lead to ulcers and bleeding, sometimes without warning.

motrin and alcohol

People with substance use disorder or mental health conditions, who may have higher alcohol intake. People who drink heavily or who take ibuprofen frequently are at increased risk for negative interactions between the two, says Conroy. “Taking occasional ibuprofen to relieve pain with a small amount of alcohol on a full stomach, isn’t likely to cause any problems,” says Giulia Guerrini, a pharmacist at Medino.

Increased drowsiness

People whoabuse alcoholare more likely to engage in dangerous behaviors such as mixing alcohol with other drugs and medications. If you or somebody you love is struggling with alcohol use problems, it is important to get help as soon as possible.Call us at The Recovery Villageto learn how we can help. All are signs of an alcohol-related injury or a potentially dangerous drug-drug interaction. In other words, it’s fairly safe to occasionally take a low dose of ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen if you’ve had a small amount of alcohol. However, because of the potential for long-term consequences, it is still prudent to avoid mixing painkillers with alcohol, Drs. ● Cardiovascular diseases or stroke– since ibuprofen affects blood clotting, the cardiovascular system is influenced when we take the drug frequently.

motrin and alcohol

Ibuprofen, similarly, affects kidney function by limiting the production of the cyclooxygenase enzyme to decrease inflammation and pain. This decrease of pressure https://sober-home.org/ affects the kidney’s filtering system temporarily. The more a person takes ibuprofen and alcohol together, the more damage there is to kidney function.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Some herbal medicines and natural supplements can also interact with alcohol and cause side effects. People who drink large amounts of alcohol every day or feel that they are unable to stop drinking can talk to a doctor about ways to reduce their alcohol intake. Drinking alcohol only in moderation can prevent unwanted side effects.

motrin and alcohol

This increase in acid decreases the protection of your digestive tract. As a result, you damage your delicate gastrointestinal tissue. For instance, high doses and long-term use of Advil can cause your stomach to bleed. Drinking alcohol also increases the risk of dependence and addiction.

The fact is, mixing medication with alcohol can be dangerous to your health. Alcohol can interfere with some drugs, making them less effective. Alcohol can also intensify the side effects of some medications. This second interaction is what can happen when you mix ibuprofen and alcohol. Overdose eco sober house ma symptoms of these drugs include upset stomach, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, liver or kidney damage, liver or kidney failure, and even coma. In fact, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and even aspirin, come with potential dangers if you make a habit of taking them with alcohol.

Non-narcotic analgesics like aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen, when mixed with alcohol, increase possible irritation and bleeding in the stomach and intestines. Some analgesics may also contribute to liver damage that heavy alcohol consumption causes. Ibuprofen and alcohol are commonly used substances that seem relatively harmless when they’re consumed in moderation.

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Mixing alcohol with prescription drugs such as the occasional ibuprofen can be dangerous because alcohol is a digestive irritant, and even one drink can accelerate acid production. When you have more significant amounts of acid in your digestive tract with less protection, you risk damaging the tissue, leading to internal bleeding, especially in older adults. Many of us know that mixing alcohol and any medication has risks.

The risk is higher because a person’s body becomes less able to break down alcohol with age. The likelihood of experiencing side effects is particularly high with long-term use of ibuprofen, or regular, heavy alcohol use. This can lead to a gastric or intestinal perforation, which can be fatal . If you take ibuprofen, you should take the lowest dosage needed to ease your symptoms. You should not take the drug for longer than you need to, either. Following these precautions can lower your risk of side effects.

However, combining alcohol and ibuprofen intensifies the tiredness. Alcohol slows down your reaction time and impairs coordination. Ibuprofen is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug , a class of drugs designed to alleviate inflammation, relieve pain, and reduce fevers. The medication is sold over the counter under various brand names, including Advil, Motrin, and Midol. When experiencing aches and pain while drunk or during a hangover, reaching for the ibuprofen may come with the risk of harmful side effects if not taken correctly. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products.

This is from the ibuprofen interacting with the alcohol increasing the usual side effects of the medication like bleeding, risk of ulcers, and increased heart rate. Seek medical attention if you or a loved one is experiencing health problems from coming off alcohol and the pain medicine. Drugs like ibuprofen are the safest when taken for a short period since long-term ibuprofen use isn’t as safe or beneficial as other more vital medicines for pain management. For long time treatment, doctors will usually offer alternatives that are safer to take often. It is also essential to carefully read medication labels as ibuprofen is common in many headaches, colds, and prescription medicines.

Sean O’Rourke
About Sean O’Rourke 242 Articles
Sean O’Rourke is a Cyber Liability Insurance (CLI) consultant for Combs & Company, a full service insurance brokerage firm headquartered in NYC. Sean works with small- and mid-sized businesses to mitigate the myriad of risks posed to their technology and data. Sean has worked in the technology arena for 20 years, so he has a unique approach when discussing the value of CLI to businesses. Sean can be reached at [email protected] or 646.736.3737.