Side-effects can occur with chronic use of OTC pain relievers by people who consume alcohol on a regular basis. Even modest drinking of one or two glasses of wine or beer a night could increase your risk of having these side-effects. The most notable dangers reported by the media have involved the use of acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol . Although acetaminophen is used and promoted widely, many may not be aware that a side-effect can occur with its use. Therefore, it is now recommended that if you drink three or more alcohol-containing drinks per day, you need to consult your physician before taking any OTC pain medication.
Experts state that the liver damage and acetaminophen toxicity occur because of two reasons.
First, alcohol shifts the metabolism of acetaminophen from a non-toxic pathway to a toxic pathway resulting in more toxins than the body can eliminate. Second, alcohol-associated malnutrition results in decreased amounts of enzymes needed to neutralize these toxins. Without these enzymes, the toxins pile up in the liver leading to cell death and ultimately liver necrosis. Alcohol stimulates the release of gastric acid in the stomach and is irritating to the stomach. So the next time you have a hangover and begin to reach for a pain reliever, remember the possible side-effects that you could get from taking OTC pain medications.