For people above legal drinking age only
Don’t drink and drive
Don’t drink while pregnant
Medication and drug interaction
Medication and drug interaction
Helping people make informed choices about alcohol.
Medication and drug interaction
Mixing alcohol and medications can be dangerous
summary
Mixing alcohol and drugs can be dangerous and can even kill
It can also make some medication less effective
Alcohol can increase the effects of some medication
It can make side effects worse
Mixing alcohol and drugs can be dangerous – whether you're taking prescribed medication or an over-the-counter remedy. Older people need to be particularly careful, as they are more likely to take medications and have an overall weakened health status.
There are many medications that should never be mixed with alcohol. Others should be taken with caution.
What can happen?
The effects of the medication can become dangerously strong
For example, mixing alcohol with aspirin increases the risk of getting stomach ulcers
Alcohol can increase the effects of hypnotics, sleeping pills and sedatives. This can lead to increased drowsiness, coma and even death.
The medication can become less effective
The side effects of the medication can get worse
For example, mixing alcohol with diabetics medication can prevent it from working properly and may contribute to dangerous instability in blood sugar levels. Alcohol can also interfere with the efficacy of antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS
Always read the labels and leaflets that come with your medication.
Some medications should never be mixed with alcohol; others must be taken with caution.
You should check with your doctor or pharmacist to see whether it's okay to drink alcohol while you're taking the medication. Don't take anything for granted. Remember that people react differently to medication, to alcohol and combinations of the two.
Download our factsheets
- For people above legal drinking age only
- Don’t drink and drive
- Don’t drink while pregnant