Alcohol and Medications

Alcohol can interact in harmful ways with many prescribed and over-the-counter medications, and with some herbal preparations. These interactions can change the effect of the alcohol and/or the medication; and these changes:

• can take place at low levels of drinking (as low as one drink), and
• can vary depending on the medications, and on individual differences in reactions to alcohol and to the medications.

Types of problems that can occur:

• Some interactions cause drowsiness or dizziness with even one drink, and can be dangerous when driving or operating machinery.
• Alcohol dampens activity in the brain (by depressing the central nervous system), and it can be particularly dangerous, or even fatal, when used with medications or other drugs that have similar effects.
• Some medications contain alcohol, so they can increase the total amount of alcohol to a riskier level of consumption.

People taking medications or other health preparations:

• should carefully read the labels and pamphlets with their medications (including herbal preparations), to check for harmful interactions with alcohol. Some people may need to reduce their drinking or stop drinking alcohol altogether;
• are advised to be very cautious if drinking alcohol while using benzodiazepines, methadone or other central nervous system depressants;
• if they are taking a number of medications, are at greater risk of increasing the effects of alcohol and/or decreasing the effectiveness of their medication. These people may need to reduce or stop drinking alcohol;
• should consult their doctor or a pharmacist to discuss any aspect of their medication, including possible interactions with alcohol.

Health care providers:

• should be aware of the possibility of interactions with alcohol, both with the medications they prescribe and with other medications people may take;
• need to take particular care with medications for mental health problems and for blood pressure.

Important:

• If a medicine or drug doesn't appear in that list, it does not mean that it is safe to drink alcohol while taking it. For example, some antibiotics, and some medications used for epilepsy and for diabetes can also have harmful interactions with alcohol.
• People taking medications of any type should read the labels and the enclosed pamphlets carefully to check for possible interactions with alcohol.

For up to date information on medications talk to your DVA Pharmacy Advisor, contact your DVA State Office on 133254 or click here to visit the DVA website.

Adapted from:
Australian Department of Health and Ageing, Australian Alcohol Guidelines Fact Sheets www.alcoholguidelines.gov.au

Principal source:
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (2001). Australian Alcohol Guidelines: Health Risks and Benefits. NHMRC, Canberra.

Other sources:
Alcohol in Australia: Issues and Strategies. (2001) Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care Canberra. National Alcohol Strategy: A Plan for Action 2001 to 2003-04. (2001) Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, Canberra.

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