Both drugs and alcohol are common components of life. However, when they enter the body at the same time, they can trigger a range of adverse physiological reactions that can even be life-threatening.
1. Drug-alcohol interactions.
Both drugs and alcohol are metabolized through the liver, which has a limited capacity to process them. When drugs and alcohol are present at the same time, they compete for the enzyme system in the liver, causing the metabolism of the drug to slow down, which increases the concentration of the drug in the blood and exacerbates the drug's popularity
2. Affect the effect of the drug.
Alcohol may interfere with the effectiveness of medications. For example, in the case of antibiotics, alcohol may reduce its bactericidal effect, making it difficult to infect**. For antidepressants, alcohol may worsen depressive symptoms or produce other mental well-being***
3. Increase the risk of ***.
Many drugs increase the risk of *** when mixed with alcohol. For example, drinking alcohol while taking sedatives or sleeping pills can lead to excessive sedation and even respiratory depression. Pain relievers, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, when mixed with alcohol, may increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
4. Dangerous interactions with specific drugs.
Interactions between certain drugs and alcohol are particularly dangerous. For example, anxiolytics such as benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam, mosapride) mixed with alcohol may cause severe central nervous system depression. Anti-diabetic drugs mixed with alcohol can cause abnormal fluctuations in blood sugar levels and even trigger hypoglycemic coma.
5. Long-term health effects.
Drinking alcohol while taking medication for a long time may cause an additional burden on the liver and increase the risk of liver disease. In addition, long-term drug and alcohol abuse can also lead to heart problems, digestive disorders, and several other chronic health problems.
Drinking alcohol while taking medication is a health risk that should not be ignored. In order to ensure that the medication works safely and effectively, avoiding unnecessary*** and health risks, it is recommended to avoid alcohol while taking any medication. If you have a habit of drinking alcohol, it is important to consult your doctor or pharmacist before using the drug to understand the specific interaction of the drug you are taking with alcohol and follow their professional advice.