VERIFIED CONTENTAuthor: lek. Katarzyna Banaszczyk
Most of us have faced unpleasant symptoms resulting from alcohol consumption at least once in our lives. Headache, drowsiness, and a feeling of breakdown are just some of the symptoms of a so-called hangover. What do these unpleasant symptoms result from? What medications should we avoid after taking alcohol? It's worth learning more about it.
Forfeeling unwell after alcoholethyl alcohol itself does not correspond to its metabolite, called acetaldehyde. It is acetaldehyde that is definitely more toxic to our body than ethyl alcohol itself. By reacting with the proteins of our body's cells, it can damage them.
If you feel unwell after alcohol - why is it?
The metabolism of ethyl alcohol takes place mainly in the liver. It is there that it is transformed into acetaldehyde, which then, thanks to a special enzyme, is metabolized into acetic acid.
Ethyl alcohol is usually consumed in greater amounts than those that can be continuously metabolized by liver cells (hepatocytes). As a result, the characteristic symptoms of alcohol intoxication, known to most of us, occur, but soon also the unpleasant symptoms associated with the so-called hangover.
Ethyl alcohol causes increased diuresis, i.e. passing urine in larger amounts than usual. This is because alcohol blocks the action of a hormone called vasopressin, which is responsible for the reabsorption of water in the kidneys. These properties of ethyl alcohol can lead to dehydration of the body and the occurrence of headaches (be aware that our brain is extremely sensitive to dehydration).
We also lose important minerals along with urine, which can cause symptoms such as:
- heart rhythm disturbance,
- irritation,
- or memory and concentration disorders.
The cause of these symptoms is also the emerging lactic acid, which leads to a lower pH, i.e. acidification of our body.
Which medications should not be taken with alcohol?
Not all drugs can be included while consuming alcohol and, importantly, also at some time after consuming it. Connectionmany common medicinal substances with alcohol can damage our body's cells and lead to serious he alth complications.
This is often due to common metabolic pathways for alcohol and drugs. Many drugs are similarly metabolized in the liver, making combining alcohol with such drugs more toxic to the liver. What's more, we can deal with their side effects (which results from a worse metabolism of drugs by the liver and an increase in their concentration in the blood).
Exactly what drugs do we need to watch out for?
Alcohol and metronidazole
One of the medications that we should not take while still under the influence of alcohol is metronidazole. It is a chemotherapeutic drug, commonly used in the treatment of trichomoniasis, lambliosis, or in the treatment of infections in dentistry.
Alcohol consumption during metronidazole therapy, as well as up to two days after the end of taking this preparation, is associated with the risk of side effects.
The combination of metronidazole with alcohol can lead to the so-called disulfiram reaction, i.e. inhibiting the transformation of acetaldehyde, which is toxic to our body, into acetic acid.
Symptoms related to the onset of the disulfiram reaction may include:
- feeling hot,
- stomach pains,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- increase in heart rate (tachycardia).
Benzodiazepine sedatives and hypnotics
Benzodiazepines are drugs used in the short-term treatment of insomnia. You should be aware that you should not consume alcohol while using them, as this may depress the respiratory center, and thus stop breathing and, consequently, even kill the patient.
It is worth mentioning here that benzodiazepines are drugs with a strong addictive potential, so they should not be used in a chronic manner.
NSAIDs and alcohol
The commonly known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs include
- ketoprofen,
- naproxen
- or ibuprofen.
These drugs, taken in conjunction with alcohol or immediately after alcohol consumption, can damage the lining of the stomach and cause bleeding. Remember not to combine them with alcoholic drinks, as this may lead to bleeding into the digestive tract.
Paracetamol and alcohol
Another drug that should not be mixed with alcohol is the painkiller known to everyone - paracetamol. This drug may be inin combination with alcohol, toxic to our liver.
The maximum standard daily dose of paracetamol for an adult is 4 grams, and in the case of alcohol consumption, this dose drops to 2.6 grams - even such a dose in this case can damage our liver.
We should use this pain reliever carefully, also after drinking alcohol, when it may still be in our blood.
Ketoconazole and alcohol - can these two substances be combined?
Ketoconazole is a preparation that is commonly used in the treatment of fungal infections, such as vaginal fungal infections, mycoses of the gastrointestinal tract, and mycoses of the mucous membranes.
Combining ketoconazole with alcohol significantly increases the risk of this drug's liver toxicity, so we should not combine these substances.
Symptoms of liver failure
It is worth mentioning here about symptoms of liver failure that may occur when some of the above-mentioned preparations are combined with alcohol.
The most important symptoms of acute liver injury are:
- abdominal discomfort,
- disturbance of consciousness, and sometimes the appearance of psychiatric symptoms,
- rarely jaundice and liver enlargement.
In the event of the above-mentioned symptoms related to taking medications and alcohol - contact your doctor as soon as possible.