The upcoming long weekend may lead some of us to overindulge – and NPS MedicineWise is reminding people that alcohol and medicines can be a dangerous cocktail. Some medicines can react badly with alcohol, resulting in a type of hangover you weren't counting on.
"Be aware that alcohol could interact with your medicines, which could spoil your long weekend," says Dr Jeannie Yoo, NPS MedicineWise Medical Adviser and GP.
Alcohol can increase the side effects of sleep, anti-anxiety and antidepressant medicines, affecting your coordination and making it harder to think clearly. Cold and flu medicines may interact with alcohol to make you drowsy and dizzy. Alcohol can also interact with some antibiotics, leading to side effects such as nausea, vomiting, flushing and headaches.
"Also remember that it can take several hours for alcohol to leave the body. Interactions with medicines don't only occur when you are drinking but any time you have a large amount of alcohol in your body.
"Protect yourself by avoiding alcohol if you are taking a medicine and don't know its effect," she adds.
NPS MedicineWise is also reminding people to be careful about how much pain-relieving medicine they take. Always check the label, even if you find yourself with a headache or other aches and pains following a big celebration.
"One of the big misconceptions about pain relievers is that taking more than the recommended dose means that the medicine will be more effective – but in fact, this could do your body some serious damage," says Dr Yoo.
"For example, paracetamol, the active ingredient in many pain-relieving medicines, can cause liver damage and even death if you take more than the recommended dose," she says.
NPS MedicineWise has information to help understand drug interactions, including interactions between medicines and alcohol.
