The chart below lists classes of drugs that have been reported to interact with alcohol. Some of the dangers that may result from combining alcohol with the other listed drugs are described. It must be emphasized that this chart, or any other like it, represents only the smallest part of the whole alcohol/drug interaction picture. It is not meant to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
When used alone, either alcohol or narcotic drugs cause a reduction in the function of the central nervous system. When they are used together, this effect is even greater, and may lead to loss effective breathing function (respiratory arrest). Death may occur.
Even when used alone, some non-prescription pain relievers can cause bleeding in the stomach and intestines. Alcohol also irritates the stomach and can aggravate the bleeding, especially in ulcer patients. Alcohol may also increase susceptibility to liver damage from acetaminophen, which is the main ingredient in some asprin-free Pain relievers.
Use of alcohol with medications prescribed to help alcoholic patients keep from drinking results in nausea, vomiting, headache, high blood pressure, and possible erratic heartbeat, and can result in death.
Alcohol can increase the ability of these drugs to stop blood clotting, which in turn can lead to life-threatening or fatal hemorrhages.
Drinking may lessen the ability of these drugs to stop convulsions and may exaggerate blood disorders.
Alcohol may cause an additional reduction in central nervous system functioning and lessen a person's ability to operate normally. Certain antidepressants in combination with red wines like Chianti may cause a high blood pressure crisis.
Because of the possible severe reactions to combining alcohol and insulin or the oral antidiabetic agents, and because alcohol interacts unpredictably with them, patients taking any of these medications should avoid alcohol.
Taking alcohol with this class of drugs increases their calming effect and a person can feel quite drowsy, making driving and other activities that require alertness more hazardous.
Alcohol may increase the blood pressure-lowering capability of some of these drugs.
In combination with alcohol, some may cause nausea, vomiting, and headache, and possibly convulsions, especially those taken for urinary tract infections. Some are rendered less effective by chronic alcohol use.
Because or the stimulant effect this class of drugs may reverse the depressant effect of the alcohol on the central nervous system, these drugs can give a false sense of security. They do not help intoxicated persons.
Combining alcohol with diuretics may cause reduction in blood pressure, possibly resulting in dizziness when a person stands up.
PSYCHOTROPICS (Tindal, Mellaril, Thorazine, etc.)
Alcohol with the "major tranquilizers" causes additional depression to central nervous system function, which can result in severe impairment of voluntary movements such as walking or using the hands. The combination can also cause a loss of effective breathing function and can be fatal.
Alcohol in combination further reduces the function of the central nervous system, sometimes to the point of coma or the loss of effective breathing (respiratory arrest). This combination can be fatal
It is likely that non-prescription sleeping medicines, to the degree that they are effective, will lead to the same kind of central nervous system depression when combined with alcohol as the minor tranquilizers (see below).
Tranquilizes in combination with alcohol will cause reduced functions of the central nervous system, especially during the first few weeks of drug use. This results in decreased alertness and judgment, and can lead to household and automotive accidents.
Continuous drinking can keep vitamins from entering the blood stream. However, this situation changes when a person stops drinking.