It’s the end of a long day, and you have a headache. You take some ibuprofen to help with pain, but alcohol is in your system too. Should you be worried? The answer is yes; alcohol should always be considered when using ibuprofen as it may cause liver damage or other side effects. Let’s have a look at the impact of alcohol on ibuprofen, as well as how drinking can damage your health, so you can make an educated decision about combining them!
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What Does Ibuprofen Treat?
Ibuprofen is another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
The term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs refer to a group of medications used to treat pain, fevers, and health issues, including arthritis, menstrual cramps, headaches, and more. Aspirin, naproxen, and celecoxib are examples of other kinds of popular NSAIDs.
In the case of ibuprofen, there is no consensus regarding how it works. On the other hand, ibuprofen does hinder prostaglandin synthesis, a type of hormone that controls pain, inflammation, and fever.
While ibuprofen can help with various types of pain, people who take the medication have a higher chance of heart attacks or strokes than those who do not. The danger rises for those who use the medicine for more extended periods.
To determine if ibuprofen is a suitable therapy, see your doctor.
How Does Alcohol Affect Those with Pain?
Alcohol can provide some relief for mild to severe pain. It’s unclear how this works, but it’s believed that alcohol stimulates the release of natural opioids produced by the body and helps to decrease pain and inflammation.
For those who have chronic pain, some people may turn to drinking. The most significant effects are when alcohol is consumed in amounts greater than the recommended amount of 1 or 2 drinks per day for persons with a female at birth or three or more drinks per day for persons with a male at birth.
You may treat the headache with over-the-counter pain medicine. According to one research, about 1 in 4 substance misusers in a study of 343 veterans used alcohol to alleviate their suffering. Another study found that those with more severe discomfort were more likely to use alcohol for treatment.
However, unlike many prescription medicines containing ibuprofen, patients who use OTC brands do not have to worry about severe side effects that include stomach upset and ulcers (which can be dangerous in themselves). If you have premenstrual syndrome or other hormone imbalances, alcohol can worsen the problem.
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Is It Safe to Take Ibuprofen and Drink Alcohol?
The short answer is no. alcohol should always be considered when using ibuprofen as it may cause liver damage or other side effects.
Ibuprofen is typically safe if taken according to a doctor’s instructions and the dosage listed on the package.
It is usually safe to take pain relievers, including ibuprofen, when drinking a small amount of alcohol, according to the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom.
On the other hand, ibuprofen is not a narcotic and contains no opiates. However, regular ibuprofen use and excessive alcohol consumption may result in adverse effects that range from mild to severe.
Risk of Taking Ibuprofen with Alcohol
The risks of combining ibuprofen with alcohol are:
Stomach ulcers and bleeding are two common stomach problems.
Ibuprofen can cause stomach irritation, so doctors advise patients to take it with food. Ibuprofen used for a long time or in high doses might raise the risk of developing gastric ulcers or hemorrhaging in the digestive tract.
Alcohol and ibuprofen have a negative interaction. The stomach and digestive system may be irritated by alcohol. The incidence of ulcers and bleeding rises when they are consumed together. Ibuprofen works in combination with alcohol, raising the adverse effects of ibuprofen. This combination causes bleeding, ulcers, and a racing heart.
The greater the danger of stomach ulcer bleeding, the longer a person takes ibuprofen. A person who uses ibuprofen daily for several months has a higher chance of getting this condition than someone who only does it once a week.
Kidney issues
The kidneys cleanse poisons from the body, including alcohol. The kidneys have to work harder as a person drinks more alcohol.
Ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) limit the activity of an enzyme produced in the kidneys called cyclooxygenase (COX). Ibuprofen inhibits inflammation and pain by restricting COX synthesis. It, however, affects how well the kidneys function as filters, at least temporarily.
The kidneys are already under a lot of strain from alcohol. According to the National Kidney Foundation, regular heavy drinking raises chronic kidney disease by two times.
Although the danger of kidney damage is minimal in healthy individuals who only take ibuprofen on rare occasions, it can be harmful to those with already damaged kidneys.
People who have had kidney problems in the past should consult with a physician before combining ibuprofen with alcohol.
Drowsiness increased
Both alcohol and ibuprofen can cause drowsiness on their own. The use of the two may exacerbate this drowsiness, resulting in excessive sleepiness or a lack of capacity to function normally.
Risks in the elderly
According to studies, older individuals are more likely to experience adverse effects of mixing prescription drugs and alcohol. The risk is more significant because a person’s body deteriorates in breaking down alcohol with age. People are also more prone to take additional medicines that could cause interactions as they get older.
According to research, most older people in the United States use prescription or nonprescription drugs, and more than half consume alcohol regularly. Elderly persons who drink alcohol while taking prescription or nonprescription medications are at an increased risk of falling, other accidents, and drug interactions.
Liver Failure
Liver problems are a complication of alcohol-related liver disease. Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis, which causes scarring and dysfunction in the organ.
When taken with alcohol, ibuprofen has been linked to acute liver failure (ALF) and chronic liver damage. ALF is a rapid, potentially deadly deterioration of liver function.
Is It Possible to Overdose on Ibuprofen and Alcohol?
Symptoms of ibuprofen overdose include the following:
- Uncontrollable rapid eye movements,
- Dizziness,
- Slowing breathing or gaps in breathing,
- Blue hue around the mouth and nose
When an individual consumes ibuprofen while drunk, the symptoms might be considerably more severe and result in coma, liver damage, or death, it is critical to avoid combining ibuprofen and alcohol to prevent serious health problems.
When Can I Take Ibuprofen After Drinking Alcohol?
It’s essential to remember that when an individual drinks a standard alcoholic beverage (14 grams of pure alcohol), the liver takes approximately 1 hour to metabolize it. It implies that if someone consumes considerably more alcohol, the body will need additional time to process it. Even after a drinking session, the remaining alcohol may interact with ibuprofen and alcohol.
If a person has only had alcohol, they can take ibuprofen up to four hours after drinking alcohol without risk of adverse reactions or overdose symptoms. However, it’s vital to keep in mind that even if no adverse effects occur at this time interval, there is still a possibility for interactions occurring if alcohol and ibuprofen are taken together again in the future.
It is best to avoid taking ibuprofen with alcohol, as serious health risks can occur. If an individual must bring them together, it is essential to speak with a healthcare provider to ensure that there is not an increased risk for liver damage or other health complications.
Ibuprofen and Alcohol Abuse: Treatment
If you know someone, or you are struggling with alcohol and ibuprofen, there are numerous therapy alternatives open to you, including:
- Detoxification or withdrawal therapy is a supervised process where alcohol and ibuprofen are eliminated from the body. This process assists in alleviating withdrawal symptoms, which can be life-threatening if not addressed quickly with a detoxification program.
- Rehabilitation is another form of treatment that helps alcoholics recover from addiction to alcohol by providing them with psychological help and medical assistance when necessary. Rehabilitation centers can offer inpatient or outpatient programs.
- Like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), support groups are a 12-step program that supports alcoholics who want to abstain from alcohol. The meetings allow individuals to share their experiences and receive help from others fighting the same battle.
- Therapy is an umbrella term for numerous treatments to help individuals struggling with alcohol and ibuprofen. A therapist will work with you to develop a specific plan for your needs.
- Medical therapies include everything from baths to acupuncture. If you struggle with alcohol and ibuprofen, speaking with a healthcare provider about which treatments might be best for you is essential.
- Alcohol Addiction may require counseling, medicine, and other treatments for alcohol addiction. It is critical to speak with a healthcare provider about alcohol and ibuprofen if you suspect yourself or someone else abusing alcohol.
Many people with alcohol use disorder may benefit from medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Naltrexone and acamprosate are two medications that you can use in MAT. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions might help individuals learn coping skills and identify factors that lead to their drinking. To treat alcohol addiction, you can use medications such as Naltrexone, Acamprosate, and Disulfiram alongside alcohol counseling.
Ibuprofen and Alcohol Abuse: Prevention
The best way to avoid alcohol and ibuprofen abuse is by never taking the two substances together or at all. The Medical field warns that alcohol and ibuprofen can cause serious health problems, including liver damage.
Before drinking alcohol, you should check with your doctor to use prescription drugs. You should not combine some medications because of the higher potential for adverse effects.
Also, it is crucial to read the labels on all medication containers and avoid taking more than the prescribed dosage.
If you are struggling with alcohol and ibuprofen abuse, it is essential to get help. Speak with a healthcare provider about which treatment options might be best for you. Withdrawal therapy, rehabilitation, support groups, and therapy are potential treatments to help alcoholics recover from addiction.
Remember, you should never take alcohol and ibuprofen together. If you are struggling with alcohol and ibuprofen abuse, get help today.
Here are some of the warning signs you should contact your doctor about.
If you take ibuprofen and have any of the following symptoms, you should go to a doctor right away.
- Abdominal discomfort/cramps that do not go away after eating
- A lot of blood in your bowel movements
- Vomit might contain blood.
- A rapid pulse.
- fainting
- Dizziness
- a black, tar-like discharge
- Coffee grinds-like vomit
Individuals who drink alcohol regularly and struggle to stop should see a doctor.
Alternative Relief from pain
It is usually safe when taking ibuprofen as directed on the bottle and with a doctor’s approval. You can also use different pain relievers or alternative pain relief methods.
When mixed with alcohol, certain pain medicines, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin, can cause undesirable effects.
Acetaminophen has a long half-life and works by preventing the breakdown of substances in the body. It is an NSAID. People who drink alcohol daily should not take more than 325 mg per day, as this can cause severe liver damage. Aspirin and naproxen are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (
Because alcohol contains an enzyme that causes it to be broken down more quickly, some natural remedies may be more harmful when combined with it. Certain herbal medicines and natural cures might produce adverse effects when mixed with alcohol.
When someone has had a significant quantity of alcohol, the safest way to treat pain while still allowing them to sleep is to wait until the alcohol has been eliminated from the body before taking ibuprofen or other prescribed pain medications.
Other therapies, such as:
- Ice packs,
- heating pads,
- massaging,
- acupuncture,
- light exercise such as walking,
- topical menthol-based creams and rubs Topical menthol-based creams and rubs are available to help you relax.
- Deep breathing, meditation, or guided imagery may also assist.
Final thought
Although individuals can consume a tiny quantity of alcohol while taking ibuprofen, the best course of action is to avoid combining them.
People who have health issues should speak with their doctors about their prescriptions and alcohol use to see safe.
