NIH Research Matters: Many at Risk for Alcohol-Medication Interactions
Announcement
About 71% of U.S. adults drink alcohol. Many commonly prescribed medications can interact with alcohol, including drugs to treat depression, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
At a Glance
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A large number of people may combine alcoholic beverages with prescription medications known to interact with alcohol, an analysis suggests.
- The findings highlight the need to talk with a health care professional about the risks of using alcohol and prescription medications.
The combination of alcohol and medications can cause many adverse health effects. These include nausea and vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, fainting, and loss of coordination. More severe effects include internal bleeding, heart problems, and difficulty breathing. Alcohol can also make some medications less effective or even useless. Continue reading >>
See the full text in the February 9 issue of NIH Research Matters, or visit www.nih.gov/researchmatters/february2015/02092015medication.htm.