Alcohol and Drug Interactions
resource on potential interactions between
alcohol and other drugs
alcohol and other drugs
Alcohol is just one of many drugs that, when taken on its own, can have varied effects on the body and mind. Other drugs, whether prescribed by a doctor, found in a medicine cabinet, or bought illegally, will also cause some change in your body chemistry. Mixing various substances together can sometimes have dire consequences.
While mixing drugs is never advised or condoned, there may be instances where accidental ingestion of drugs in combination with alcohol can occur. Knowing the effects of alcohol/drug interactions can help prevent these situations from happening in the first place, and the information provided can help you or someone you care about during an emergency situation.
The following is a table of known alcohol/drug interactions. The table below is not exhaustive and does not contain every possible interaction. Use the information to protect yourself, to protect others, and to gain more knowledge about living safely and healthily at Boston College. If you have non-emergent questions regarding interactions that are not listed below, please contact a medical professional.
| Alcohol & Drug Interactions |
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| Drug |
Prescribed Purpose |
Interaction with Alcohol |
| Anesthetics |
Administered prior to surgery to render a patient unconscious and insensitive to pain |
• increased amount of drug required to induce loss of consciousness |
| Antibiotics |
Used to treat infectious diseases |
• reduced drug effectiveness |
| Antidepressants |
Used to treat depression and other forms of mental illness |
• increased sedative effects |
| Antidiabetic medications |
Used to help lower blood sugar levels in diabetic individuals |
• reduced drug effectiveness |
| Antihistamines |
Used to treat allergic symptoms and insomnia |
• intensified sedation |
| Antipsychotic medications |
Used to diminish psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations |
• intensified sedation |
| Antiseizure medications |
Used to treat epilepsy |
• decreased protection against seizures |
| Antiulcer medications |
Used to treat ulcers and other gastrointestinal problems |
• increased presence of drug • increased risk of side effects |
| Cardiovascular medications Ismelin, Inderal) |
Wide variety of medications used to treat ailments of the heart and circulatory system |
• extreme dizziness or fainting |
| Narcotic pain relievers Demerol, Oxycontin) |
Used to alleviate moderate to severe pain |
• intensified sedation |
| Non-narcotic pain relievers |
Used to alleviate mild to moderate pain |
• increased risk of stomach bleeding |
| Sedatives and hypnotics |
Used to alleviate anxiety and insomnia |
• severe drowsiness |
| Anesthetics |
Administered prior to surgery to render a patient unconscious and insensitive to pain |
• increased amount of drug required to induce loss of consciousness |
| *Adapted from National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism |
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