Topic Overview

Many prescription and over-the-counter medicines interact with alcohol. For example, drinking while taking a diabetes medicine such as metformin (Glucophage) could result in very low blood sugar levels. Drinking while taking medicine for heartburn such as cimetidine (Tagamet) or ranitidine (Zantac) could result in a fast heartbeat.

Common medicines that interact with alcohol include:

• Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol).
• Antibiotics.
• Antihistamines.
• Tranquilizers.
• Aspirin and other medicines to prevent clotting of blood (anticoagulants).
• Some medicines to treat depression (antidepressants).
• Medicines to treat diabetes (hypoglycemics).

If you are taking any over-the-counter or prescription medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether you can safely drink alcohol.