Adverse effects of the cocktail include ulcers, vomiting, palpitations, hypoglycemia, headache and hypotension
Oh, oh, oh, oh, the time is coming… On the eve of Carnival, experts are warning revelers about the risks of consuming alcoholic beverages with drugs. If you’re one of those people who runs their hands over bags, draws them, uncorks them, and drinks until they drown, be careful. Consuming medicines combined with alcohol can bring a number of negative effects, and by Wednesday you could arrive – pardon the pun – in ashes.
Pharmacist Dafne Cristina Lopes Estevão, from the Farmais pharmacy chain, warns that in some cases the combination of alcohol and drugs can be extremely dangerous.
«When talking about over-the-counter medicines, it is important that the patient consults the information leaflet and asks the pharmacist for directions», advises the specialist.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the average annual alcohol consumption per capita in Brazil is eight litres, higher than the international average of 6.4 litres. During Carnival this consumption tends to increase even more. The problem is that alcohol can interact with several types of medications, reducing or eliminating their effects, as well as overburdening the liver and increasing the risk of various health problems.
«The combination of alcohol and paracetamol can increase the risk of liver toxicity, drug-induced hepatitis and cause serious liver inflammation», explains Dafne, from Farmais. “Alcohol and dipyrone can enhance the effect of alcoholic beverages. Additionally, alcohol and acetylsalicylic acid increase the risk of stomach bleeding, as the combination irritates the stomach lining.”
Very quietly…
Before taking part in the samba, revelers who use drugs should be aware of the risks of combining this drug with alcohol. Therefore, patients are recommended to speak to their doctor before starting to take any medication and to inform the professional of any alcoholic beverage consumption.
In general, the advice is to avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages associated with medications. To avoid doubts, it is advisable to read the information leaflet of the drugs: most of them inform about the dangers resulting from the combination of alcohol and drugs.
In addition to the risks mentioned, mixing alcohol and drugs can also cause other problems, such as drowsiness, dizziness, loss of motor coordination and difficulty concentrating. For those who intend to drink, the advice is to drink in moderation, avoiding mixing different types of alcoholic drinks.
Who knows, knows…
What the combination of alcohol and medicines can cause:
Medicated hepatitis: combination of alcohol and paracetamol
Potentiation of the effect of alcohol: combination of alcohol and dipyrone
Stomach bleeding: combination of alcohol and acetylsalicylic acid
Vomiting, palpitation, headache, hypotension, difficulty breathing and even death: combination of alcohol and antibiotics
Gastric ulcer and bleeding: combination of alcohol and anti-inflammatories
Increased adverse reactions and sedative effects, as well as decreased effectiveness of drugs: combination of alcohol and antidepressants
Increased sedative effect, risk of coma and respiratory failure: combination of alcohol and tranquilizers (anxiolytics)
Dizziness, vertigo, weakness, syncope and confusion: combination of alcohol and appetite suppressants
Hypoglycemia: combination of alcohol and insulin
Increased side effects and risk of intoxication, combined with reduced efficacy against epileptic seizures: combination of alcohol and anticonvulsants
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
