During the National HolidaysIt is common for celebrations to include alcohol, but it is important to keep in mind that combining alcoholic beverages with certain medications can be extremely dangerous. This mixture can not only reduce the effectiveness of the medications, but also trigger serious side effects that could put your health at risk.
Toxicologist Fernando Torres, director of the School of Chemistry and Pharmacy at UNAB, warns about the negative effects of consuming alcohol while taking certain medications. According to Torres, the combination can lead to a number of adverse consequences, such as reduced treatment efficacy, intensified side effects and even poisoning. These interactions are especially dangerous because, in many cases, users are not aware of the risks and can suffer complications without warning.
Among the medicines Psychotropic drugs, such as benzodiazepines, antidepressants, tranquilizers and opiates, are the most dangerous to combine with alcohol. These drugs, like alcohol, act as depressants of the central nervous system. According to Torres, mixing these compounds can increase drowsiness, impair cognitive abilities and decrease motor coordination, increasing the risk of accidents. The combination can also cause blurred vision and a slower response to dangerous situations.
Other medicine One of the most common drugs that may seem harmless, but can cause complications when combined with alcohol, is paracetamol. Both paracetamol and alcohol are metabolized in the liver, and their combination can overload this organ, causing liver problems, especially if both are consumed in large quantities. This can trigger serious long-term problems, such as irreversible liver damage.
Antibiotics and painkillers also pose risks when mixed with alcoholThe toxicologist warns that this combination can irritate the stomach, causing gastritis, ulcers and even gastrointestinal bleeding. Medications intended for cardiovascular diseases, such as those that regulate blood pressure or cholesterol levels, can cause dizziness, fainting and dangerous changes in blood pressure when consumed with alcohol.
