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Some painkillers are only available with a prescription and it may not be safe to drink alcohol while taking them. However, many painkillers are available to purchase over the counter (OTC) from a pharmacy, and it is usually safe to drink alcohol while taking them, as long as you do not drink more than your recommended daily amount and you take them at the correct dosage. When taking painkillers (analgesics), always read the instructions to ensure you are taking the medication correctly. Most painkillers come with information about alcohol and whether or not it's safe to drink while you're taking the medication. Always follow this guidance. The recommended daily amounts of alcohol are different for men and for women. Men should not drink more than 3-4 units of alcohol a day, while women should not drink more than 2-3 units a day. One unit is equal to half a pint of normal strength beer, a glass of wine, or a single of spirit (an ordinary pub measure). For more information about units and how many there are in each alcoholic drink, see the Further information section below. Different types of painkillers and the ways in which alcohol can affect you when you're taking them: Aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil) Aspirin and ibuprofen are available without a prescription from pharmacies. It's normally safe to drink alcohol when taking ibuprofen or aspirin as long as you drink within the recommended daily amount (between 3-4 units a day for men and between 2-3 units a day for women). If you drink more than this while taking aspirin or ibuprofen, the alcohol can irritate your stomach and may increase your likelihood of experiencing side effects, such as bleeding in your stomach or intestines. Heavy or long-term daily use of aspirin may cause stomach inflammation or ulceration, which can be made worse by drinking too much alcohol. Aspirin can also increase the effects of alcohol. If you often drink more than three units of alcohol in a day, you should talk to your GP about whether or not it is safe for you to take aspirin or ibuprofen. Paracetamol Like aspirin and ibuprofen, paracetamol is available over the counter (OTC) without a prescription from pharmacies. Drinking alcohol while taking paracetamol is safe as long as you stick to the recommended amounts (between 3-4 units a day for men and between 2-3 units a day for women). However, if you have liver problems, either from drinking alcohol or due to other causes, do not take paracetamol unless you are told it is safe to by your GP. Paracetamol can worsen any existing liver damage so you may have to take an alternative painkiller. Caffeine Caffeine is an additive in some over-the-counter painkillers but alcohol does not have any adverse effect on it. Codeine and dihydrocodeine Codeine is an opioid (narcotic) and a strong painkiller. It is not available without a prescription. Dihydrocodeine is also an opioid and usually available only on prescription. However, some brands with a lower dose of opioid may be available over the counter from pharmacies. Taking codeine and codeine-based painkillers can cause drowsiness (tiredness), and drinking alcohol while taking them will increase this effect. It is not advisable to drink any alcohol when taking codeine or codeine-based painkillers. Morphine, meperidine and other prescription-only painkillers Many painkillers are strong and are therefore not available without a prescription. Like codeine and codeine-based painkillers, they cause drowsiness (tiredness) and it is therefore not safe to drink any alcohol while you're taking them. If you have any concerns about taking painkillers or need any help understanding this information and relating it to your own situation, you should talk to your GP or pharmacist. |
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