Wednesday, August 14, 2013

The Downside of Consuming Both Ibuprofen and Alcohol

Alcohol should never be consumed when taking any type of analgesic (painkiller) including over-the-counter medications and prescription pain relievers. This is because the lining of the stomach can become highly inflamed and ulcerate due to exposure to toxic substance.

Ibuprofen is used as an effective treatment for pain and fever. This includes pain directly caused by arthritis, tooth aches, headaches, flus, colds, menstrual cramps and migraines. As a non-steroid anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID), ibuprofen mixed with alcohol can increase the potential of causing liver damage. In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties of ibuprofen drugs, as a generic or any one of its brand names (Advil, Motrin, Midol, NeoProfen, Caldolor, Ibu etc), is known to cause tears in the lining of the stomach, especially when consumed when the stomach is empty. Mixing ibuprofen and alcohol can significantly heighten the potential dangers of stomach problems.

Consuming ibuprofen and drinking even a few drinks can significantly increase the potential of stomach bleeding or irritation. This is especially crucial for individuals that are highly prone to suffering ulcers.

The depressive qualities of alcohol tend to negatively interact with a large variety of drug substances including ibuprofen. While an occasional light sipping of alcohol and ibuprofen might not lead to serious gastrointestinal track or stomach issues, combining ibuprofen and alcohol on a routine basis will almost certainly lead to significant issues.

The basic warnings concerning the combination of ibuprofen and alcohol typically state that an individual ingesting the over-the-counter drug should consume quantities less than 3 ounces of alcohol every day. Many physicians suggest that a conservative approach should be taken when consuming ibuprofen by abstaining completely from alcohol altogether.

The mixture of alcohol with ibuprofen can lead to fatal gastrointestinal bleeding as a result of irritating existing ulcers. The same result can occur when alcohol is mixed with any type of non-steroid anti-inflammatory medicine, and not just ibuprofen.

It is often considered to be an unwise decision to consume any painkiller while alcohol is in the system. This equally applies to every type of over-the-counter drug or prescription medication. In fact, aspirin with alcohol has long known to tear away the stomach lining. In addition, acetaminophen and alcohol can pose a significant and severe threat causing catastrophic damage to the liver. The combination of acetaminophen with alcohol should be avoided at every cost.

Any individual that is consuming ibuprofen on a routine basis should consult with the family doctor concerning the wisdom behind taking the drug while alcohol is still in the system. Medical studies indicate that negative reactions to the mixture can increase significantly over time. Only an experienced doctor can provide the right type of advice before combining any pharmaceutical mixtures with alcohol.

In addition, it is important to always discuss with the physician all medications being consumed, including herbs and vitamins. It is essential to never stop taking prescribed medications without first discussing it with the doctor. However, minimizing the amount of alcohol consumed every day can reduce many of the interactions caused by combining it with drugs. For additional information check alcoholdetoxmagazine.com.