Ibuprofen and alcohol - are they compatible?
General
The package insert for the ibuprofen drug already warns against combining ibuprofen and alcohol if possible.
If alcohol is consumed while taking the pain reliever ibuprofen, a wide variety of interactions can occur that can be very harmful to the body.
Both ibuprofen and alcohol are broken down in the liver
Since both the drug ibuprofen and alcohol are detoxified / metabolized via the liver, they directly influence each other here.
The greatly increased work for the liver with this combination can lead to a weakening of the effect of the pain reliever and thus to a strong sensation of pain despite taking the medication.
It is also possible that the alcohol is broken down more poorly and therefore has a much stronger effect than the person concerned is used to. The liver can be severely damaged by the double burden, which in the long term can lead to "fatty liver" or liver inflammation (hepatitis) or even organ failure.
The effects on the blood
Painkillers can affect blood clotting and cause the blood to "liquefy" so that the alcohol is distributed more quickly in the body and an increased "alcohol intoxication" can occur.
Effects on the gastrointestinal tract
As both Ibuprofen as well as alcohol the Gastric mucosa and the Intestinal lining The combination of ibuprofen and alcohol can lead to a greatly increased risk for Gastrointestinal bleeding up to the breakthrough of the sensitive mucous membrane with strong sepsis and Organ failure come.
Effects on the nervous system
Of the alcohol can under Ibuprofen intake Be more effective and the ability to react is more impaired than with alcohol consumption alone. In addition, the combination of ibuprofen and alcohol can cause it to increase sleepiness come. In addition, the occurrence of a headache and dizziness possible.
Side effects
The combined intake of Ibuprofen and alcohol may cause serious health problems and produce significant side effects.
In the first place is an increased risk for Damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa to call. At worst, ulcers or even occur life-threatening bleeding on. But why is that so?
Every day our stomach produces around two to three liters of so-called "Gastric juice“, Which is an important part of the digestion of food. To stand in front of the aggressive ingredients To protect the digestive juice, the stomach usually forms one protective layer of mucus (Mucin) on its inner surface.
However reduce both ibuprofen and alcohol die production this layer of mucus. In addition, alcohol promotes that Neoplasm of stomach acid! Already taking ibuprofen or alcohol alone can seriously damage the gastric mucosa. In combination, the harmful effects add up and the risk for e.g. Ulcers increases tremendously.
At the beginning, it is not uncommon for those affected to feel one dull or burning pain behind the sternum, often accompanied by nausea, belching and bloating. In the worst case, kick Bleeding in the stomach unexpectedly and can sometimes be life-threatening. They express themselves mainly in bloody vomiting ("Breaking coffee grounds") Or black"Tarry stool“.
The liver can also be affected if ibuprofen and alcohol are administered at the same time. Since both means i.a. can be broken down via the organ, in particular a permanent, combined ingestion Risk of cirrhosis of the liver increase. Much more dangerous for the liver, however, is the simultaneous administration of alcohol and the pain reliever paracetamol!
Basically, the overall physical condition and the dose or amount of alcohol and ibuprofen determine the extent of the side effects or interactions. However, since accurate predictions are difficult, it is advisable to avoid alcohol altogether if possible when taking painkiller therapy with ibuprofen. In addition, it should not be forgotten that with typical complaints such as headaches or pain in the limbs, alcohol may only worsen the symptoms and should therefore not be consumed in such cases.
diarrhea
Diarrhea is a possible side effect, along with other digestive tract complaints, that can occur when taking ibuprofen. The simultaneous consumption of alcohol can increase the occurrence of diarrhea while taking ibuprofen. In general, the simultaneous consumption of alcohol can increase the undesirable side effects of ibuprofen. It is therefore recommended to completely refrain from alcohol consumption when taking ibuprofen.
Vomit
The most common side effects observed when taking ibuprofen affect the gastrointestinal tract.This also includes nausea and vomiting. However, the occurrence of such side effects varies greatly from patient to patient and is also dependent on the dose and other factors, such as existing pre-existing diseases.
Alcohol itself can also cause nausea and vomiting. When combined with ibuprofen, the risk of nausea and vomiting is increased. Therefore, alcohol consumption should at least be avoided during drug therapy.
fever
Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory pain reliever, which to a small extent also to lower fever contributes. It is not quite as effective in lowering fever as paracetamol, for example. Still is also a possible side effect of ibuprofen fever.
In very rare cases, blood formation disorders can occur, which can be expressed in the form of fever, sore throat, flu-like symptoms or nosebleeds, among other things. The consumption of alcohol is not conducive to this either. The occurrence of side effects is promoted by the simultaneous consumption of alcohol. It is therefore only advisable to do without.
Distance to alcohol consumption
In principle, can not a safe period between taking Ibuprofen and Alcoholl call. However, the longer you wait, the less likely you are to experience possible undesirable side effects. So it is e.g. not advisableTo take ibuprofen with a glass of vodka. However, if you have one at eight in the morning 400mg If you take a headache tablet and drink a glass of red wine at ten o'clock in the evening, the risk of an interaction is unlikely.
The function of the liver and kidneys is also crucial, as ibuprofen is excreted through both organs. Do those affected suffer e.g. If you have impaired kidney function, the drug will take a long time to be eliminated.
Always choose that smallest, necessary dose on pain medication. This is how you reduce the risk of unwanted interactions!
Intoxication / increased alcohol effects
It is not uncommon for those affected to report that they experienced a more intense alcohol intoxication while taking ibuprofen at the same time. Both increased effects of alcohol and prolonged intoxication are described.
Alcohol and ibuprofen are broken down by enzymes in the liver. Put simply, there are too few enzymes for both substances, so that alcohol lingers longer in the body and can have a stronger effect.
However, this effect is very different from one individual to the next and varies in its form! Small amounts of alcohol, however, usually do not lead to an increased perception of intoxication by ibuprofen.
More often, however, the cause can be found in the accompanying circumstances and not in an immediate context. E.g. Headache or fever is often associated with loss of appetite. Affected people take a painkiller as a remedy, then feel better and drink alcohol. Because of the empty stomach, the alcohol now works stronger and faster. In addition, exhaustion or tiredness, triggered by the original symptoms, can be promoted by the consumption of alcohol.
Ibuprofen for a "hangover"
In the vernacular, the term "Male cat"The physical and mental discomfort after excessive alcohol consumption, characterized especially by a headache, Nausea, vomiting and in general Feeling weak.
Why is that?
Alcohol removes relatively large amounts from the body within a short time liquid and Minerals (Dehydration). In addition, intermediate degradation products act like acetaldehyde, destroying on own body proteins. This is how the typical hangover symptoms.
In addition to the usual home remedies ("Hangover breakfast“), Many sufferers take pain killers to combat their symptoms. In recent years, ibuprofen has proven to be relatively cheap. Small doses should usually be sufficient. Avoid taking if you have a hangover Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin® and alcohol) or Paracetamol, because so easier Bleeding or Liver damage occur.
Drink plenty of water
During and after consuming alcohol, you should sufficient amounts of liquid to take in. This is best suited mineral-rich water, because valuable minerals are supplied to the body at the same time.
In this way, the Dehydration and the mineral loss can be largely compensated for. Sweet drinks, on the other hand, are not recommended, that Sweeteners can promote water excretion.
Under certain circumstances, this simple measure is sufficient to prevent or relieve a hangover and to avoid taking ibuprofen. Because even if the drug without prescription available at the pharmacy, it can harm the body.
Will Ibuprofen and Alcohol Change the Pill's Effectiveness?
The Effectiveness of the pill will Not by taking ibuprofen or consuming alcohol impaired. However, the effectiveness of the pill is limited when it becomes too Vomit comes when taking ibuprofen and consuming alcohol. Follow the instructions in the package insert for your pill. Vomiting usually resembles a forgotten dose within 4 hours of taking the pill. Another pill must then be taken within 12 hours to ensure protection.
