The combination of alcohol and ibuprofen can be deadly. It’s one of the most common drug combinations that result in a fatal overdose. The reason it is so dangerous is that both substances have a high risk for toxicity when consumed individually, but taken together they become even more dangerous. Even though many people believe that combining these two drugs has no side effects and poses no danger to the user, this is not true. Mixing ibuprofen and alcohol can have serious consequences and may result in death if the dosage isn’t monitored correctly. Let’s take a closer look at how these two drugs interact and what you should know about mixing them together.
Will Ibuprofen and Alcohol Kill You?
No, Ibuprofen and Alcohol are not harmful in small amounts.
The active ingredient in ibuprofen is sodium (NSAID), which can increase the risk of bleeding. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that can affect brain functioning and coordination, resulting in an increased risk of falls and injuries.
Why is Mixing Alcohol and Ibuprofen Dangerous?
1. Increased Risk Of Bleeding
NSAIDs can increase the risk of bleeding, especially when taken with alcohol. This is because ibuprofen can thin the blood and cause internal bleeding. Another dangerous aspect is that alcohol increases the risk of bleeding due to its ability to thin the blood.
2. Increased Sedation
Mixing ibuprofen and alcohol causes an excitation (a state of agitation or confusion) in the user. This can lead to an increased risk of falls, which in turn can result in serious injuries due to blunt force trauma.
3. Increased Injuries
Mixing these two drugs together may result in increased injuries because they act as central nervous system depressants and are responsible for decreased blood flow in certain areas of the brain and body. These lower blood flow levels make it more difficult for users to recover from falls or accidents if they occur while under their influence, causing severe injuries such as severe head trauma, broken bones, and internal organ damage.
4. Increased Risk Of Fainting
Mixing ibuprofen and alcohol can cause the blood pressure to drop, which may result in fainting. This is because ibuprofen can cause blood pressure to drop when taken with alcohol, and it is well-known that this combination can lead to fainting.
5. Increased Risk Of Blood Clots
Mixing these two drugs can increase the risk of blood clots. This is because ibuprofen and alcohol both affect blood clotting, and when taken together, the effects can be more severe and dangerous.
6. Increased Risk Of Stroke
Mixing ibuprofen and alcohol increases the risk of stroke due to the fact that they both have a central nervous system depressant effect on the brain. This is because NSAIDs can slow down blood flow in the brain, which can affect alertness and coordination, resulting in an increased chance of falling or being injured if drunk while under the influence.
7. Increased Risk Of Death
Mixing ibuprofen and alcohol can cause an increased risk of death due to their central nervous system depressant effects on the brain. This is because ibuprofen and alcohol both affect blood flow in the brain, which can affect alertness and coordination, resulting in an increased chance of falling or being injured if drunk while under their influence.
8. Increased Risk Of Liver Damage
Mixing ibuprofen and alcohol can cause liver damage because NSAIDs can be toxic to the liver when taken with alcohol. Ibuprofen is associated with liver damage when mixed with alcohol because it causes oxidative stress, which damages the liver cells. This is why users should never mix these two drugs together if they are taking any prescription medications that contain ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
How do Ibuprofen and Alcohol Interact?
1. Ibuprofen And Alcohol Interact With The Central Nervous System
When ibuprofen is taken with alcohol, it can cause a central nervous system depressant effect on the brain. This is because ibuprofen and alcohol both affect blood flow in the brain, which can affect alertness and coordination, resulting in an increased chance of falling or being injured if drunk while under their influence.
2. Ibuprofen And Alcohol Interact With The Heart
Mixing ibuprofen and alcohol causes a drop in blood pressure, which lowers the heart’s output by causing it to pump less blood through the body. This is because NSAIDs slow down blood flow by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis, which functions as a key regulator of cardiac function. When these two drugs are consumed together, they have a greater effect on blood pressure than when they are consumed alone. This is why users should avoid mixing these two drugs if they are taking any prescription medications that contain ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
3. Ibuprofen And Alcohol Interact With The Kidneys
Mixing ibuprofen and alcohol causes a drop in blood pressure, which lowers the kidney’s output by causing it to pump less blood through the body. This is because NSAIDs slow down blood flow by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis, which functions as a key regulator of renal function. When these two drugs are consumed together, they have a greater effect on blood pressure than when they are consumed alone. This is why users should avoid mixing these two drugs if they are taking any prescription medications that contain ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
4. Ibuprofen And Alcohol Interact With The Liver
When ibuprofen is taken with alcohol, it can cause a toxic response in the liver, which can result in liver damage. This is because ibuprofen causes oxidative stress in the liver cells by inhibiting an antioxidant enzyme called glutathione S-transferase, which is responsible for detoxifying harmful compounds such as acetaminophen. This is why users should avoid mixing these two drugs if they are taking any prescription medications that contain ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
5. Ibuprofen And Alcohol Interact With The Pancreas
Mixing ibuprofen and alcohol causes a drop in blood pressure, which lowers the pancreas’s output by causing it to pump less blood through the body. This is because NSAIDs slow down blood flow by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis, which functions as a key regulator of pancreatic function. When these two drugs are consumed together, they have a greater effect on blood pressure than when they are consumed alone. This is why users should avoid mixing these two drugs if they are taking any prescription medications that contain ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
6. Ibuprofen And Alcohol Interact With The Kidneys
Mixing ibuprofen and alcohol causes a drop in blood pressure, which lowers the kidneys’ output by causing it to pump less blood through the body. This is because NSAIDs slow down blood flow by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis, which functions as a key regulator of renal function. When these two drugs are consumed together, they have a greater effect on blood pressure than when they are consumed alone. This is why users should avoid mixing these two drugs if they are taking any prescription medications that contain ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Side Effects of Mixing These 2 Drugs Together
1. Increased Risk Of Drug Interactions:
When drinking alcohol and taking medications together, the risk of drug interactions increases significantly. Alcohol can cause the body to absorb more of a medication than it normally would, leading to side effects or even poisoning.
2. Drowsiness:
Mixing these two drugs can lead to an increased feeling of drowsiness, particularly when taken in large amounts. This can impair driving, operating machinery, and other activities that require alertness or concentration.
3. Gastrointestinal Issues:
Drinking alcohol and taking medications at the same time can cause nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. In extreme cases, it could even lead to an increased risk of ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding.
4. Liver Damage:
The combination of alcohol and medications can damage the liver, leading to severe organ damage over time. This is especially true if you take acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) while drinking alcohol.
5. Increased Risk Of Injury:
When taking medications with alcohol, it can be difficult to assess your own level of coordination and awareness. This can lead to an increased risk of falls, motor vehicle accidents, or other types of injuries.
6. Memory Issues:
Drinking alcohol while taking certain medications can impair a person’s memory, leading to confusion and difficulty in thinking. This can also lead to an increased risk of alcohol poisoning if a person doesn’t remember how much they have had to drink.
Final Words
The best way to reduce the risk when mixing these two drugs together is to plan ahead, be aware of your limits, and know when to stop. These might seem like obvious suggestions, but they’re easy to forget when you’ve had a few drinks. Taking ibuprofen with alcohol is a dangerous combination that can result in serious health complications and even death if the dosage isn’t monitored correctly.
