Alcohol interacts with many medicines, including prescribed and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and herbal remedies. Alcohol can affect the way some medicines are absorbed by your body and broken down in your liver.
If you drink alcohol regularly, and especially if you drink excessive amounts, your liver produces more enzymes to get rid of the alcohol more quickly. These enzymes may also break down the medicine you are taking so it no longer has the same effect.
Alcohol affects the way your brain works and slows down your body’s reaction times and responses. Some types of medicines also affect the way your brain works, and if you’re drinking alcohol these effects may be increased.
Alcohol can increase the risk of side effects such as: |
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Mixing alcohol and some medicines may also increase the risk of complications such as liver problems, stomach problems, heart problems and depression.
Read more about alcohol and its effects.