PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL WITH MEDICATIONS (Part  1 of 3)
Generic
Brand
Potential Reactions
ALLERGIES/COLD/FLU
brompheniramine
cetirizine
chlorpheniramine
desloratadine
diphenhydramine
fexofenadine
loratadine
Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Drowsiness, dizziness, increased risk for overdose
Zyrtec
Sudafed Sinus & Allergy
Triaminic Cold & Allergy
Tylenol Allergy Sinus
Tylenol Cold & Flu
Clarinex
Benadryl
Allegra, Allegra-D
Alavert
Claritin, Claritin-D
ANGINA
isosorbide
nitroglycerin
Isordil
Nitrostat, Nitro-Bid
Rapid heartbeat, sudden changes in blood pressure, dizziness, fainting
Xanax
Klonopin
Librium
Valium
Ativan
Paxil
Anafranil
Luvox
Kava Kava
Drowsiness, dizziness, increased risk for overdose, slowed or difficulty
breathing, impaired motor control, unusual behavior, memory
problems
Celebrex
Voltaren
Naprosyn
Ulcers, stomach bleeding, liver problems
Coumadin
Occasional drinking may lead to internal bleeding; heavier drinking
also may cause bleeding or may have the opposite effect, resulting in
possible blood clots, strokes, or heart attacks
ANXIETY/EPILEPSY
alprazolam
clonazepam
chlordiazepoxide
diazepam
lorazepam
paroxetine
clomipramine
fluvoxamine
herbal preparations
Drowsiness, dizziness, increased risk for overdose, increased feelings of
depression or hopelessness in adolescents (suicide)
Liver damage, drowsiness
ARTHRITIS
celecoxib
diclofenac
naproxen
BLOOD CLOT
warfarin
COUGH
dextromethorpan
guaifenesin + codeine
Delsym
Drowsiness, dizziness, increased risk for overdose
Robitussin Cough & Cold
—
DEPRESSION
amitriptyline
bupropion
citalopram
desipramine
escitalopram
fluoxetine
nefazodone
paroxetine
sertraline
trazodone
venlafaxine
herbal preparations
—
Wellbutrin
Celexa
Norpramin
Lexapro
Prozac
—
Paxil
Zoloft
—
Effexor
St. John’s Wort
Drowsiness, dizziness, increased risk for overdose, increased feelings of
depression or hopelessness in adolescents (suicide)
(continued)
PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL WITH MEDICATIONS (Part  2 of 3)
Generic
DIABETES
glyburide
metformin
Brand
Potential Reactions
—
Glucophage
Abnormally low blood sugar levels, flushing reaction (nausea,
vomiting, headache, rapid heartbeat, sudden changes in blood
pressure)
ENLARGED PROSTATE
doxazosin
prazosin
tamsulosin
terazosin
HEARTBURN/GERD
cimetidine
metoclopramide
nizatidine
ranitidine
Cardura
Minipress
Flomax
Hytrin
Dizziness, light headedness, fainting
Tagamet
Reglan
Axid
Zantac
Rapid heartbeat, sudden changes in blood pressure (metoclopramide),
increased alcohol effect
HYPERLIPOPROTEINEMIA
atorvastatin
ezetimibe + simvastatin
lovastatin
lovastatin + niacin
niacin
pravastatin
rosuvastatin
simvastatin
HYPERTENSION
benzapril
clonidine
doxazosin
enalapril
hydrochlorothiazide
losartan
prazosin
quinapril
terazosin
INFECTION
cycloserine
griseofulvin
isoniazid
ketoconazole
metronidazole
nitrofurantoin
tinidazole
INSOMNIA
diphenhydramine
doxylamine
estazolam
eszopiclone
temazepam
zolpidem
herbal preparations
Lipitor
Vytorin
—
Advicor
Niaspan
Pravachol
Crestor
Zocor
Liver damage (all medications); increased flushing and itching (niacin)
Lotensin
Catapres
Cardura
Vaseretic
Capozide
Lopressor HCT
Cozaar
Minipress
Accupril
Hytrin
Dizziness, fainting, drowsiness, heart problems such arrhythmia
Seromycin
—
—
Nizoral
Flagyl
Macrodantin
Tindamax
Fast heartbeat, sudden changes in blood pressure, stomach pain, upset
stomach, vomiting, headache, or flushing or redness of the face; liver
damage (isoniazid, ketoconazole)
Sominex
Unisom
—
Lunesta
Restoril
Ambien
Chamomile, Valerian,
Lavender
Drowsiness, sleepiness, dizziness, slowed or difficulty breathing,
impaired motor control, unusual behavior, memory problems
Increased drowsiness
(continued)
PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL WITH MEDICATIONS (Part  3 of 3)
Generic
MUSCLE PAIN
carisoprodol
cyclobenzaprine
NAUSEA
dimenhydrinate
hydroxyzine
meclizine
promethazine
Brand
Potential Reactions
Soma
—
Drowsiness, dizziness, increased risk of seizures, increased risk for
overdose, slowed or difficulty breathing, impaired motor control,
unusual behavior, memory problems
Dramamine
—
Antivert
—
Drowsiness, dizziness, increased risk for overdose
PAIN/HEADACHE/MIGRAINE
Tylenol
acetaminophen
acetaminophen + aspirin Excedrin
Advil
ibuprofen
Motrin
Aleve
naproxen
Fiorinal with Codeine
butalbital + codeine
Vicodin
hydrocodone
Demerol
meperidine
Percocet
oxycodone
SEIZURE
clonazepam
phenobarbital
phenytoin
Klonopin
—
Dilantin
Upset stomach, bleeding, ulcers, rapid heartbeat; liver damage
(acetaminophen)
Drowsiness, dizziness, increased risk for overdose, slowed or difficulty
breathing, impaired motor control, unusual behavior, memory
problems
Drowsiness, dizziness, increased risk of seizures
REFERENCES
Harmful Interactions: Mixing Alcohol with Medicines. NIAAA. Accessed: September 10, 2013. Available at: http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/
publications/Medicine/medicine.htm
Not an inclusive list of medications that may interact with alcohol. Please see drug monograph at www.eMPR.com and/or contact company
for full drug labeling.
(Created 9/2013)