Taking Alcohol and Medication (Disulfiram-Like Reaction)

10 days ago

You like alcohol no doubt, in fact the quote “acohol is life” means the world to you more than “health is wealth” and while I cannot judge you because “I listen and I don’t judge”, I feel I should tell you that you should not take alcohol with medications. I should have mentioned the word “certain medications” but I am sure you might not be able to differentiate one drug from another. So what will happen if you take alcohol with drugs?

Taking alcohol with drugs like antibiotics, flagyl, hypoglycemic drugs such as chlorpropamide and tolbutamide, and supplements like Ginkgo biloba. Taking any of these medications along with alcohol can lead to Disulfiram-Like Reaction which happens with drugs that inhibit aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) which is an enzyme that converts acetaldehyde to acetate.

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When alcohol is taken, acetaldehyde is released as a toxic byproduct but when these drugs are taken, the conversion of acetaldehyde is inhibited leading to a Disulfiram-Like Reaction. Somewhat like a fight between the medication and the alcohol and when both of them are in a fight, you will be the one to suffer from it.

You start to feel very terrible, like you are going to feel like you want to lose your life. You will begin to feel a serious headache, extreme nausea and vomiting, pounding heartbeat (palpitation), hypotension, flushness, sweating, chest pain, vertigo, and weakness. In severe cases, it can cause difficulty in breathing, seizures, cardiac arrhythmia, or even death.

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How it will react based on the severity of the reaction can vary greatly depending on who took the medication, the type of medication, and the quantity of alcohol you decide to take after the medication. For those who cannot do without taking buzz, when you take such drugs, you should wait for 48 hours or 2 days before consuming alcohol.

A lot of people who suffer from Disulfiram-Like Reaction either do not listen to prescriptions or they just self-medicate. If a case of Disulfiram-Like Reaction occurs, please seek immediate medical assistance. The fact that you made a health mistake doesn't mean you shouldn't go to the hospital. When you notice a slight change in your health, ensure to get to the hospital and when you get to the hospital, be open to the doctor about your diet and every other needed thing.