Mixing Alcohol and Medication
A lot of you that drink might think that it’s okay to take a medication with alcohol in your system, or vice versa. Even when the red or orange label warns against it, some will take it as a suggestion instead of a cautionary instruction. An article in US News and World Report discusses a study that this is all true, so please read on and then take a look at it.
Take painkillers, for example. Recreational users will take them with alcohol to enhance the euphoric effects. Individuals with real pain issues might decide to risk the mixture because they want pain relief while still being able to enjoy a glass of wine with dinner. And then there are those with an addiction who either drinks regularly or on occasion. That’s a broad spectrum of people who, for themselves, could justify mixing alcohol and medication.
The problem is that people don’t realize that the “Don’t take with alcohol!” warning is a serious one. They aren’t just saying that you will have trouble walking after mixing. It’s the other, more serious, adverse side effects like respiratory problems, internal bleeding, allergic reactions, and things like that. This is true for prescription drugs and over the counter medications alike.
Your best bet is to not take a chance that you may just stop breathing in your sleep. It doesn’t always happen, but it can happen at any time. So stay safe.