Those of you who are not aware must be wondering what exactly is ibuprofen. It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or NSAIDs to soothe the pain and swelling and sometimes even help when taken during fever.
The popular brands of ibuprofen are Advil, Cedaprin, Nurofen, Motrin, and Midol, and they can be purchased easily from medicine shop counters without a doctor’s prescription.
If you want some relief from pain, you can easily reach out for your medicine box. However, be cautious not to be dependent on this pill. Even if ibuprofen does not require a medical prescription or a doctor’s guidance, it is still strong and heavy. It comes with certain dangerous side effects that may be detrimental to your health, especially if consumed with alcohol.
Ibuprofen and Alcohol
Ibuprofen and alcohol can form a very wrong combination if swallowed together. In fact, not just ibuprofen but mixing any medicine with alcohol can be dangerous to your health. Alcohol can either intensify the harmful side effects or make the medicine less effective.
Some people take ibuprofen with a moderate quantity of alcohol and still face no negative risk. Whether it is Advil or any other brand, taking ibuprofen more than recommended can cause serious health issues. If you are a heavy drinker, you must avoid taking Advil and alcohol together or any other NSAIDs.
If you are already suffering from the ill effects of ibuprofen and alcohol, you should stop immediately. Otherwise, you will be at a greater chance of facing the severity of the health problems. Let us look at the most common causes of NSAIDs and alcohol.
Side-Effects of Ibuprofen (NSAIDs) and Alcohol
1. Gastrointestinal Bleeding
One study has shown that the regular or frequent use of ibuprofen, especially with alcohol, can raise the risk of intestinal, stomach and oesophagus bleeding. This situation calls for emergency help from the doctors.
- Symptoms include stomach upset to a great extent. It causes the stool color to turn almost black
- The vomit resembles coffee dregs and carries blood.
- Moreover, ibuprofen can lead to ulcers and eventually even perforation in the intestine.
- Worst of all, if left untreated; it can lead one to death.
The medical issues show up quite abruptly without any prior warning signs.
2. Kidney Damage
Taking ibuprofen almost daily can also cause damages to the kidneys. Moreover, we all know that alcohol is harmful to our kidneys. So, consuming ibuprofen and alcohol will double the risks involved. Common symptoms of kidney damage can cause:
- Reduced amount of urine
- Swelling of hands, legs, and feet
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in chest
3. Stroke or Heart Disease
Studies and researches have shown that people who consume NSAIDs are at a greater risk of suffering a stroke or a heart attack. It occurs without any warning and can lead to death. People who take ibuprofen over a longer period are at much greater risk.
Moreover, alcohol is consumed daily in large amounts can cause heart-health issues and also raise blood pressure. So, combining alcohol and ibuprofen can increase the chances of high blood pressure and heart attacks. It is necessary to get instant medical assistance if you experience any of these:
- Chest pain
- Loss of breath
- Weakness on either side of the body
- Slurry speech
4. Reduction in Alertness
In some cases, ibuprofen may cause drowsiness and other cognitive issues. Alcohol too leads to similar situations. Therefore, they should not be taken together. The symptoms in this case include:
- Increase distraction
- Slow reaction
- Increases drowsiness and sleepiness
Drinking and driving alone is prone to cause accidents. Driving after taking an ibuprofen pill with alcohol is even more dangerous and definitely not recommended.
5. Other Side-effects of Ibuprofen
It would help if you always went for the lowest dose of ibuprofen when required. This medication can damage more if you are above 60 years old and have already suffered stomach bleeding issues.
People who already take steroids and drugs that thin the bloodline should not take ibuprofen to prevent further harm. Apart from the common symptom of a bleeding stomach, other symptoms include:
- Stomach ulcer
- Increase in weight
- Stomach inflammation
- Swelling and fluid retention
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- An excess headache
- Fever
- High blood pressure
- Tiredness and dizziness
- Nausea
- Breathing difficulty
- Blood in urine
- Back pain
- Stiff neck
- Stomach pain mainly in the upper portion
- Increase in heart-beat
- Painful eyes
- Red or yellow eyes
- Ringing in the ears
- Allergic reactions
- Nervousness
Do not take ibuprofen if you already have asthma. It is also not recommended to take ibuprofen if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as it can cause harm to your baby.
How long after drinking can you take ibuprofen?
Having ibuprofen with alcohol may not be much harmful to you if you are a moderate drinker. Yet, it is always better to avoid the chances of risks. The symptoms can show up all of a sudden if you have taken alcohol and ibuprofen together.
It is also highly recommended that you reduce your alcohol intake if you are already under ibuprofen medication. Whether you consume ibuprofen with alcohol or vice-versa, it is always risky.
Alcohol can disturb the intestinal tract and stomach, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, for a long period, can tend to cause intestinal and stomach problems like stomach bleeding and ulcers.
It is best to have ibuprofen with meals. Do not forget to read the label for directions, the suggested dose duration, and the dose amount. It is best to take medical help if you face any health problems. So, think twice about your health and the risks of symptoms when you combine ibuprofen with alcohol or vice-versa.
For more queries and clearing doubts, you can always speak to a doctor. So, we can conclude that it is always better to take any medicine with doctors’ consent.
