Q: Which doctor should I consult for alcohol-drug interaction?
A: A general physician (GP) must be consulted to understand the potential interaction of a medicament with alcohol.
Depending on the interaction symptoms, a medical specialist will need to be consulted to overcome the interaction.
If the person is addicted to alcohol, help of Medical Counselors could be required or joining a preventive support group should be considered.
Q: Can you drink alcohol while taking anti-inflammatory drugs?
A: Alcohol can cause serious interactions with anti-inflammatory drugs. Hence, one must avoid drinking alcohol, when taking anti-inflammatory drugs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Indomethacin, and Diclofenac are known for the risk of ulcers, gastro-intestinal bleeding and heart attacks. Alcohol may intensify that risk by enhancing ability of these medications to damage the stomach mucosa.
Q: What happens when one takes wine with antibiotics?
A: Wine, beer or lager drinks are rich in Tyramine, which interacts with antibiotic and raises blood pressure. Hence, one must avoid drinking these drinks when on antibiotic therapy.
Q: Does one observe alcohol-drug interaction only when consumed concurrently?
A: Alcohol and drugs can interact adversely, even if they are not taken at the same time.
