What medications don’t mix with alcohol?

There are many medications, both over the counter and prescription, that should not be mixed with alcohol. The interactions range from minor to severe, and some can even cause death.

Always err on the side of caution. If you aren’t sure If one of your medications is safe to take with alcohol, do not drink.  

Can you drink on Adderall?

Anyone who is taking Adderall should avoid drinking alcohol.

1. Taking Adderall increases the risk of having heart problems, and alcohol compounds this risk.
2. Prescription stimulants like Adderall dull the sedative effects of alcohol. Without these sedative effects, people tend to overdrink, which can lead to alcohol poisoning.

The risk of harm is even higher when people abuse Adderall. The body processes amphetamines and alcohol with the same enzymes. Taking more of one can hinder your ability to process the other, increasing the dangerous side effects.

Page Topics
Mixing with Alcohol: Antidepressants | Over the Counter Meds | Antibiotics |

What happens when you take antidepressants and drink alcohol?

Some types of antidepressants are safe to take with alcohol, while others can cause severe reactions.

SSRIs are the most common type of antidepressants. They aren’t known to cause health problems when mixed with alcohol, but you should avoid taking both together. Alcohol and SSRIs produce similar side effects, and the combination will amplify these effects. Not only that, alcohol makes depression worse and antidepressants less effective.

MAOI’s, another type of antidepressant, should never be mixed with alcohol. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors react with a substance called tyramine, which is found in beer, wine and some types of liquor. The results are a spike in blood pressure which puts you at greater risk for a stroke.

Either way, alcohol and depression don’t mix. Research shows that drinking makes depression symptoms worse.

When starting a new antidepressant, don’t assume that it is safe to combine with alcohol. If you do wish to drink, introduce alcohol slowly. You will be less likely to have a reaction or dull the effects of the medication.  

What happens when you mix Prozac and alcohol?

Prozac can intensify the sedating effects of alcohol, and you may notice that you feel more intoxicated with fewer drinks. If you are going to drink while taking Prozac, always start with one drink and wait for at least fifteen minutes to feel the effects before taking more.

Mixing the two can also lead to drowsiness and dizziness, which is dangerous if you get behind the wheel. You shouldn’t drive if you are drinking anyway but note that Prozac can intensify these effects.

I recommend avoiding alcohol while taking Prozac. SSRIs, like Prozac, work best when you don’t have any drugs or alcohol in your body.

Can you drink with Lexapro?

Lexapro and alcohol do not cause a specific drug interaction. But, if you have depression, drinking will make you more likely to have a depressed episode.

Not only that, Lexapro can produce similar side effects to alcohol, and drinking while on Lexapro makes these side effects worse.

• Drowsiness
• Increased response time
• Reduced coordination
• Increased symptoms of depression
• In extreme cases, violent thoughts and actions

Drug companies err on the side of caution, so most antidepressants come with a warning to avoid alcohol. I would recommend sticking with this recommendation. If you are going to drink, tell your doctor and closely watch your depression symptoms to see if they get worse.

Is it okay to drink alcohol while on Zoloft?

Zoloft doesn’t have any known reactions to alcohol. That said, I don’t recommend drinking alcohol while you’re taking the medication.

1. Alcohol can make the side effects of Zoloft worse, including dizziness and tiredness.
2. Hangovers make depression symptoms worse.
3. Even moderate alcohol intake can increase anxiety levels.

Can I take Wellbutrin and Alcohol?

No, drinking alcohol while taking Wellbutrin is not recommended.

Wellbutrin, also known by the generic name bupropion, can cause seizures. Drinking while taking Wellbutrin lowers your seizure threshold more, putting you at an even higher risk.

Another reason to avoid alcohol while taking Wellbutrin is that drinking can make your depression and anxiety symptoms worse. 

Do over-the-counter medications interact with Alcohol?

It is easy to assume that over-the-counter medications are safe because you don’t need a prescription to buy them. But, many drugs you can buy at your local pharmacy are dangerous when mixed with alcohol. Always read the warning label to check for any dangerous interactions before you drink.

Is it safe to mix Benadryl and alcohol?

No, always avoid alcohol while taking Benadryl.

Both alcohol and Benadryl are central nervous system depressants, which means they share many of the same effects, including:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Lowered breathing rate
• Increased reaction time
• Decreased alertness

When combined, these effects can compound and drop your pulse and breathing rate to dangerously low levels. Not only that, the sedative effects can easily cause car accidents by causing people to fall asleep at the wheel.

Benadryl works for relieving allergies, but always use caution, and never combine it with anything that also makes you feel drowsy (like alcohol).

Can you mix Zzzquil and alcohol?

Zzzquil is a product containing diphenhydramine, the same active ingredient in Benadryl.

Do not combine alcohol with any medication containing diphenhydramine, especially if you are driving. Drinking will amplify the sedating effects of Zzzquil, which can make you drowsier and more put you at a higher risk for injury.

How long should I wait to take Tylenol after drinking?

You should wait until alcohol is out of your system before taking Tylenol. The general rule of thumb is that it takes your body an hour to process one drink.

Taking Tylenol the next day after a few drinks is generally okay. However, do not take acetaminophen while you are drinking or while you’re still feeling the effects of alcohol.

Both alcohol and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are processed by your liver. Taking both at the same time can overload your liver and potentially cause liver toxicity. (See Signs of Liver Damage question).

Liver toxicity from acetaminophen is most common when people exceed the recommended dose.

Can you mix Advil and alcohol?

It is not a good idea to mix Advil with alcohol. This also goes for other pain-relievers that contain ibuprofen, like Motrin or Midol. Even taking an Advil in the morning after a night of drinking to counteract a hangover can be dangerous if you still have alcohol in your system.

1. Both Ibuprofen and alcohol are associated with upper gastrointestinal problems. Combining the two increases your risk for gastrointestinal bleeding.
2. New data shows mixing Alcohol and Advil (ibuprofen) can cause liver damage

Drinking alcohol defeats the purpose of taking ibuprofen in the first place. Advil is in a class of drugs known as NSAIDs- or Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It works because it relieves pain brought on by inflammation. Alcohol is proven to make inflammation worse, so it’s counterintuitive to drink while taking Advil.

Does drinking alcohol interact with antibiotics?

Some antibiotics are safe to mix with moderate amounts of alcohol. Others, like metronidazole, can produce violent reactions when you drink before or after you take them.

Alcohol is proven to lower your immune system. The whole point of taking antibiotics is to fight something off, so adding alcohol into the mix is not recommended. 

Is it okay to mix amoxicillin and alcohol?

Moderate drinking while taking amoxicillin is generally safe. Having a few drinks while you’re taking amoxicillin isn’t going to hurt you or cancel the effects of the medication.

That said, drinking may cause stomach discomfort caused by antibiotics worse. And, when you’re drinking, your body is less efficient at fighting infections. I recommend limiting, if not avoiding alcohol for the duration of the medication, which is usually a week or two.

Is Augmentin and alcohol safe?

Augmentin is a similar antibiotic containing amoxicillin & clavulanic acid. Doctors use this medication for treatment-resistant infections, like pneumonia.

Like Amoxicillin, Augmentin won’t interact with alcohol as long as the user is in good health. Drinking doesn’t make the medicine ineffective, but it does impact your immune health and can make you get sick more often.

Should I avoid alcohol while taking Metronidazole?

Avoid mixing alcohol with Metronidazole. While the data is inconclusive, many sources report that mixing the two can cause severe reactions, including rapid pulse, flushing, nausea and vomiting.

A typical course of Metronidazole lasts only a few days to a few weeks, so it’s best to avoid drinking until you complete the full course of medication.

Is it safe to mix Gabapentin and alcohol?

Most people can drink safely while on Gabapentin. Gabapentin doesn’t have severe negative interactions with alcohol, but it can make you feel drowsy or dizzy. If you notice any symptoms, stop drinking immediately.

If you experience side effects from Gabapentin when you don’t drink, you should always avoid alcohol while you are taking the mediation.

If you are concerned about alcohol interactions with any other drug, reach out to us in the comments. Once we add it, we will notify you.