Personal Injury Law

Just One Or Two Drinks Can Be Fatal Mixed With Medication

By Eddie Farah

Alcohol and prescription drugs don't mix according to the latest Public Citizen annual "Worst Pills, Best Pills" report. Even if you are a light drinker, the nonprofit consumer group warns against mixing alcohol with certain medications.

"Worst Pills, Best Pills" lists 273 drugs that shouldn't be mixed with alcohol including antibiotics, antidepressants, narcotics and anti-ulcer drugs.

"While the more important alcohol-medication interactions are listed in the table, it is not an exhaustive list," writes Dr. Sidney Wolfe of the Health Research Group. Patients should also check with a health care professional before taking alcohol with any drug.

Here are the problems, first - mixing alcohol and certain medications can produce an additive effect. Alcohol is a depressant, and, when it is taken in conjunction with sedative medications, excessive sedation or depression of respiration can result. This additive effect can be lethal.

Another problem - drinking can make medication ineffective.

Also - alcohol can slow down the rate a drug leaves your body, possibly leading to a toxic buildup of drugs. And fourth - some drugs can impair the clearance of alcohol, resulting in high blood alcohol levels.

Patients should always check the labels inside medication and consult with a doctor or pharmacist about alcohol consumption, whether their prescription is long-term or short-term. Permanent damage or death can result otherwise, and a few beers just aren't worth the risk.

Full post as published by Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyer on August 09, 2008 (boomark / email).