May cause DROWSINESS. 

ALCOHOL

may intensify this effect. 

USE CARE when operating a car 

or dangerous machinery. 

Harmful 

Interactions 

mixing alcohol

with medicines 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

interactions 

May caus DROWSINESS. 

ALCOHOL may int nsify this ff ct. 

USE CARE wh n op rating a car 

or dang rous machin ry. 

Harmful 

You’ve probably seen this warning on medicines you’ve taken. 

The danger is real. Mixing alcohol with certain medications can 

cause nausea and vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, fainting, or 

loss of coordination. It also can put you at risk for internal 

bleeding,heart problems,and difficulties in breathing.In addition 

to these dangers, alcohol can make a medication less effective 

or even useless, or it may make the medication harmful or 

toxic to your body. 

Some medicines that you might can result. The list gives the brand 

never have suspected can react with name by which each medicine is 

alcohol, including many medications commonly known (for example, 

which can be purchased “over-the- Benadryl®) and its generic name or 

counter”—that is,without a prescription. active ingredient (in Benadryl®, this 

Even some herbal remedies can is diphenhydramine). The list 

have harmful effects when combined presented here does not include all 

with alcohol. the medicines that may interact 

This pamphlet lists medications harmfully with alcohol. Most imthat can cause harm when taken with portant, the list does not include all 

alcohol and describes the effects that the ingredients in every medication. 

1 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medications typically are safe and 

effective when used appropriately. 

Your pharmacist or other health care 

provider can help you determine 

which medications interact harmfully 

with alcohol. 

D I D YO U K N O W ... 

Mixing alcohol and medicines can 

be harmful. Alcohol, like some medicines, can make you sleepy, drowsy, 

or lightheaded. Drinking alcohol 

while taking medicines can intensify 

these effects. You may have trouble 

concentrating or performing mechanical skills. Small amounts of 

alcohol can make it dangerous to 

drive, and when you mix alcohol with 

certain medicines you put yourself at 

even greater risk. Combining alcohol 

with some medicines can lead to falls 

and serious injuries, especially among 

older people. 

M DICIN S MAY HAV 

MANY INGR DI NTS 

Some medications—including many 

popular painkillers and cough, cold, 

and allergy remedies—contain more 

than one ingredient that can react 

with alcohol. Read the label on the 

medication bottle to find out exactly 

what ingredients a medicine contains. 

Ask your pharmacist if you have any 

questions about how alcohol might 

interact with a drug you are taking. 

SOM M DICIN S 

CONTAIN ALCOHOL 

Certain medicines contain up to 1 

percent alcohol. Cough syrup and 

laxatives may have some of the highest alcohol concentrations. 

ALCOHOL AFF CTS 

WOM N DIFF R NTLY 

Women, in general, have a higher 

risk for problems than men. When a 

woman drinks, the alcohol in her 

bloodstream typically reaches a higher 

level than a man’s even if both are 

drinking the same amount. This is 

because women’s bodies generally 

have less water than men’s bodies. Because alcohol mixes with body water, 

a given amount of alcohol is more 

concentrated in a woman’s body than 

in a man’s. As a result, women are 

more susceptible to alcohol-related 

damage to organs such as the liver. 

2 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OLD R P OPL FAC 

GR AT R RISK 

Older people are at particularly 

high risk for harmful alcohol– 

medication interactions. Aging slows 

the body’s ability to break down 

alcohol, so alcohol remains in a 

person’s system longer. Older people 

also are more likely to take a 

medication that interacts with 

alcohol—in fact, they often need 

to take more than one of these 

medications. 

TIMING IS IMPORTANT 

Alcohol and medicines can interact 

harmfully even if they are not taken 

at the same time. 

R M M B R . . . 

Mixing alcohol and medicines puts 

you at risk for dangerous reactions. 

Protect yourself by avoiding alcohol if 

you are taking a medication and don’t 

know its effect. To learn more about 

a medicine and whether it will interact with alcohol, talk to your pharmacist or other health care provider. 

Commonly Used Medicines ( oth Prescription and Over-the-Counter) 

That Interact With Alcohol 

Symptoms/ 

Disorders 

Medication 

( rand name) 

Medication 

(Generic name) 

Some possible 

reactions with alcohol 

Allergies/ • Alavert® Loratadine Drowsiness 

colds/fu • Atarax® Hydroxyzine dizziness; 

• Benadryl® Diphenhydramine increased risk 

• Clarinex® Desloratadine for overdose 

• Claritin® Loratadine 

Claritin-D® 

• Dimetapp® Brompheniramine 

Cold & Allergy 

• Sudafed® Chlorpheniramine 

Sinus & Allergy 

• Triaminic® Chlorpheniramine 

Cold & Allergy 

• Tylenol® Chlorpheniramine 

Allergy Sinus 

• Tylenol® Chlorpheniramine 

Cold & Flu 

• Zyrtec® Cetirizine 

Angina • Isordil® Isosorbide Rapid heartbeat 

(chest pain) Nitroglycerin sudden changes 

coronary in blood pressure 

heart disease dizziness fainting 

3 
 

 

 

Commonly Used Medicines ( oth Prescription and 

Symptoms/ 

Disorders 

Medication 

( rand name) 

Medication 

(Generic name) 

Some possible 

reactions with alcohol 

Anxiety 

and 

epilepsy 

Arthritis 

Attention and 

concentration 

(Attention 

defcit/ 

hyperactivity 

disorder) 

Blood clots 

Cough 

• Ativan® 

• BuSpar® 

• Klonopin® 

• Librium® 

• Paxil® 

• Valium® 

• Xanax® 

• Herbal preparations 

(Kava Kava) 

• Celebrex® 

• Naprosyn® 

• Voltaren® 

• Adderall® 

• Concerta® 

Ritalin® 

• Dexedrine® 

• Focalin® 

• Strattera® 

• Vyvanse® 

• Coumadin® 

• Delsym® 

Robitussin Cough® 

• Robitussin A–C® 

Lorazepam Drowsiness dizziness; 

Buspirone increased risk for 

Clonazepam overdose; slowed or 

Chlordiazepoxide diffculty breathing; 

Paroxetine impaired motor control; 

Diazepam unusual behavior; 

Alprazolam memory problems 

Liver damage 

drowsiness 

Celecoxib Ulcers stomach 

Naproxen bleeding liver 

Diclofenac damage 

Amphetamine/ Dizziness drowsiness 

dextro-amphetamine impaired concentration 

Methylphenidate (methylphenidate 

dexmethylphenidate); 

Dextroamphetamine possible increased risk 

Dexmethylphenidate for heart problems 

Atomoxetine (amphetamine dexLisdexamfetamine troamphetamine lisdexamfetamine); liver 

damage (atomoxetine) 

Warfarin Occasional drinking 

may lead to internal 

bleeding; heavier 

drinking also may 

cause bleeding or 

may have the opposite 

effect resulting in 

possible blood clots 

strokes or heart attacks 

Dextromethorpan Drowsiness dizziness; 

increased risk 

Guaifenesin + codeine for overdose 

4 
Over-the-Counter) That Interact With Alcohol 

Symptoms/ 

Disorders 

Medication 

( rand name) 

Medication 

(Generic name) 

Some possible 

reactions with alcohol 

Depression • Abilify® 

• Anafranil® 

• Celexa® 

• Clozaril® 

• Cymbalta® 

• Desyrel® 

• Effexor® 

• Elavil® 

• Geodon® 

• Invega® 

• Lexapro® 

• Luvox® 

• Nardil® 

• Norpramin® 

• Parnate® 

• Paxil® 

• Pristiq® 

• Prozac® 

• Remeron® 

• Risperdal® 

• Seroquel® 

• Serzone® 

• Symbyax® 

• Wellbutrin® 

• Zoloft® 

• Zyprexa 

• Herbal preparations 

(St. John’s Wort) 

Diabetes • Diabinese® 

• Glucotrol® 

• Glucophage® 

• Glynase® 

DiaBeta® 

Micronase® 

• Orinase® 

• Tolinase® 

Enlarged • Cardura® 

prostate • Flomax® 

• Hytrin® 

• Minipress® 

Aripriprazone 

Clomipramine 

Citalopram 

Clozapine 

Duloxetine 

Trazodone 

Venlafaxine 

Amitriptyline 

Ziprasidone 

Paliperidone 

Escitalopram 

Fluvoxamine 

Phenelzine 

Desipramine 

Tranylcypromine 

Paroxetine 

Desevenlafaxine 

Fluoxetine 

Mirtazapine 

Risperidone 

Quetiapine 

Nefazodone 

Fluoxetine/Olanzapine 

Bupropion 

Sertraline 

Olanzapine 

Chlorpropamide 

Glipizide 

Metformin 

Glyburide 

Tolbutamide 

Tolazamide 

Doxazosin 

Tamsulosin 

Terazosin 

Prazosin 

Drowsiness dizziness; 

increased risk for overdose; 

increased feelings of 

depression or hopelessness 

(all medications); impaired 

motor control (quetiapine 

mirtazapine); increased 

alcohol effect (bupropion); 

liver damage (duloxetine) 

Monoamine oxidase 

inhibitors (MAOIs) 

such as tranylcypromine 

and phenelzine when 

combined with alcohol 

may result in serious heartrelated side effects. Risk for 

dangerously high blood 

pressure is increased when 

MAOIs are mixed with 

tyramine a byproduct 

found in beer and red wine 

Abnormallylow blood sugar 

levels fushing reaction 

(nausea vomiting 

headache rapid heartbeat 

sudden changes in blood 

pressure); symptoms of 

nausea and weakness may 

occur (metformin) 

Dizziness light 

headedness fainting 

5 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commonly Used Medicines ( oth Prescription and 

Symptoms/ 

Disorders 

Medication 

( rand name) 

Medication 

(Generic name) 

Some possible 

reactions with alcohol 

Heartburn • Axid® 

indigestion • Reglan® 

sour stomach • Tagamet® 

• Zantac® 

High blood • Accupril® 

pressure • Calan® 

• Capozide® 

• Cardura® 

• Catapres® 

• Cozaar® 

• Hytrin® 

• Lopressor® HCT 

• Lotensin® 

• Minipress® 

• Norvasc® 

• Prinivil® 

Zestril® 

• Vaseretic® 

High • Advicor® 

cholesterol • Altocor® 

• Crestor® 

• Lipitor® 

• Mevacor® 

• Niaspan® 

• Pravachol® 

• PravigardTM 

• VytorinTM 

• Zocor® 

Nizatidine 

Metoclopramide 

Cimetidine 

Ranitidine 

Quinapril 

Verapamil 

Hydrochlorothiazide 

Doxazosin 

Clonidine 

Losartan 

Terazosin 

Hydrochlorothiazide 

Benzapril 

Prazosin 

Amlodipine mesylate 

Lisinopril 

Enalapril 

Lovastatin + Niacin 

Lovastatin 

Rosuvastatin 

Atorvastatin 

Lovastatin 

Niacin 

Pravastatin 

Pravastatin + 

Aspirin 

Ezetimibe + 

Simvastatin 

Simvastatin 

Rapid heartbeat; increased 

alcohol effect; sudden 

changes in blood pressure 

(metoclopramide) 

Dizziness fainting 

drowsiness; heart 

problems such as changes 

in the heart’s regular 

heartbeat (arrhythmia) 

Liver damage (all 

medications); increased 

fushing and itching 

(niacin) increased 

stomach bleeding 

(pravastatin + aspirin) 

Infections • Acrodantin® Nitrofurantoin Fast heartbeat sudden 

• Flagyl® 

• Grisactin® 

Metronidazole 

Griseofulvin 

changes in blood 

pressure; stomach pain 

• Nizoral® Ketoconazole upset stomach vomiting 

• Nydrazid® 

• Seromycin® 

• Tindamax® 

Isoniazid 

Cycloserine 

Tinidazole 

headache or fushing or 

redness of the face; liver 

damage (isoniazid 

• Zithromax® Azithromycin ketoconazole) 

6 
 

 

 

 

 

Over-the-Counter) That Interact With Alcohol 

Symptoms/ 

Disorders 

Medication 

( rand name) 

Medication 

(Generic name) 

Some possible 

reactions with alcohol 

Mood • Depakene® Valproic acid 

stabilizers Depakote® 

• Eskalith® Lithium 

Eskalith®CR 

Lithobid 

Muscle pain • Flexeril® Cyclobenzaprine 

• Soma® Carisoprodol 

Drowsiness dizziness; 

tremors; increased risk for 

side effects such as restlessness impaired motor 

control; loss of appetite; 

stomach upset; irregular 

bowel movement; joint or 

muscle pain; depression; 

liver damage (valproic acid) 

Drowsiness dizziness; 

increased risk of seizures; 

increased risk for overdose; 

slowed or diffculty 

breathing; impaired motor 

control; unusual behavior; 

memory problems 

Nausea • Antivert® Meclizine Drowsiness dizziness; 

motion • Dramamine® Dimenhydrinate increased risk for overdose 

sickness • Phenergan® Promethazine 

Pain • Advil® 

(such as • Aleve® 

muscle ache • Excedrin® 

minor arthritis 

pain) fever • Motrin® 

infammation • Tylenol® 

Seizures • Dilantin® 

• Horizant® 

Neurontin® 

• Keppra® 

• Klonopin® 

• Lamictal® 

• Lyrica® 

• Tegretol® 

• Topamax® 

• Trileptal® 

Ibuprofen 

Naproxen 

Aspirin 

Acetaminophen 

Ibuprofen 

Acetaminophen 

Phenytoin 

Gabapentin 

Levetiracetam 

Clonazepam 

Phenobarbital 

Lamotrigine 

Pregabalin 

Carbamazepine 

Topiramate 

Oxcarbazepine 

Barbiturates 

Stomach upset bleeding 

and ulcers; liver damage 

(acetaminophen); rapid 

heartbeat 

Drowsiness dizziness; 

increased risk of seizures 

(levetiracetam phenytoin); 

unusual behavior and 

changes in mental health 

(such as thoughts of 

suicide) (topiramate) 

7 
 

 

Commonly Used Medicines ( oth Prescription and Over-the-Counter) 

That Interact With Alcohol 

Symptoms/ 

Disorders 

Medication 

( rand name) 

Medication 

(Generic name) 

Some possible 

reactions with alcohol 

Severe pain • Darvocet–N® 

from injury • Demerol® 

postsurgical • Fiorinal® 

care oral with codeine 

surgery • Percocet® 

migraines • Vicodin® 

Sleep • Ambien® 

problems • LunestaTM 

• ProsomTM 

• Restoril® 

• Sominex® 

• Unisom® 

• Herbal 

preparations 

(chamomile 

Propoxyphene 

Merepidine 

Butalbital + codeine 

Oxycodone 

Hydrocodone 

Zolpidem 

Eszopiclone 

Estazolam 

Temazepam 

Diphenhydramine 

Doxylamine 

valerian lavender) 

Drowsiness dizziness; 

increased risk for overdose; 

slowed or diffculty 

breathing; impaired motor 

control; unusual behavior; 

memory problems 

Drowsiness sleepiness 

dizziness; slowed or 

diffculty breathing;impaired 

motor control; unusual 

behavior;memory problems 

Increased drowsiness 

8 
Additional 

Resources

Additional 

resources 

MedlinePlus 

A service of the U.S. National Library 

of Medicine and the National Institutes 

of Health. 

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ 

druginformation.html 

Provides information on prescription and 

over-the-counter medications. 

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse 

and Alcoholism 

http://www.niaaa.nih.gov 

Phone number: 301–443–3860 

Makes available free informational 

materials on alcohol use, alcohol abuse, 

and alcoholism. 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration 

Center for Drug Evaluation and Research: 

http://www.fda.gov/cder. 

Drug Interactions: 

http://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesfor 

you/ucm163354.htm 

Phone numbers: 

• Main FDA for general inquiries: 

1–888–INFO–FDA (1–888–463–6332) 

• To submit a report about Adverse 

Drug Reaction: Medwatch: 

1–800–FDA–1088 

Provides information on prescription 

and over-the-counter medications, 

consumer drug information, and reports 

and publications. 

9 
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM

NIH . . . Turning Discovery Into Health 

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