Mixing Alcohol With Dextromethorphan: What Are The Dangers?

If you’re drinking excessively or regularly, you are increasing the risk of adverse medication reactions. The combination of medication and alcohol can lead to serious health consequences, including overdose and even death. “It’s generally advisable to avoid drinking alcohol when how long after taking dextromethorphan can i drink alcohol taking medications,” says psychiatric clinical pharmacist Mei T. Liu, PharmD, BCPP. The combination of dextromethorphan and alcohol can result in an amplified central nervous system (CNS) suppression effect.

Drug Interaction Classification

• If you’re interested in taking Delsym instead of dextromethorphan, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
• When consuming dextromethorphan, individuals may experience a range of potential side effects.
• Some prescription medications contain dextromethorphan as an active ingredient.
• Find answers to some commonly asked questions about dextromethorphan.
• When it comes to recreational substances, finding the perfect balance between pleasure and safety is crucial.

It’s possible that if you use them together, antibiotics may be less effective at clearing up the infection that you are being treated for. Antipsychotics may be prescribed for people with conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Before using any OTC cough or cold products, always check with your doctor.

Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. In the event of a medical emergency, call a doctor or 911 immediately.

Alcohol and Dextromethorphan: The Interaction

In some cases, mixing alcohol with medications can lead to an overdose or alcohol poisoning—both of which are potentially life-threatening medical emergencies. Additionally, if you have an underlying health condition like heart disease or high blood pressure (hypertension), mixing alcohol with your medications can put you at risk for complications. Additionally, drinking alcohol can also make the side effects of a medication worse or even cause new symptoms. This is especially true if you are taking a medication that makes you sleepy or causes sedation. More intense side effects mean you might be more impaired after having one drink than you would typically be. The mixture of opiates and alcohol, for example, can cause your breathing to stop and is a common cause of death.

Developing a Dependency on either Substance

“Extended release” means the drug is released into your body slowly over a long period of time. It’s not known whether it’s safe to take dextromethorphan during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning either, talk with your doctor before taking dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan is an over-the-counter (OTC) drug used to help relieve a dry cough.

Be aware that you might overdo it when you first start drinking again…

If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. It’s not known whether dextromethorphan is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re taking dextromethorphan.

• The following list of medications that shouldn’t be mixed with alcohol isn’t exhaustive.
• To reduce the risks, you should make sure to follow instructions and avoid alcohol if possible.
• If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
• While some cough syrups contain alcohol, the amount in a single dose of cough syrup is not enough to cause dextromethorphan interactions, as long as it’s used as medically recommended.
• A sometimes-deadly combination of abused substances is the misuse of alcohol with a product containing dextromethorphan.
• If you’re having trouble abstaining from alcohol use while taking dextromethorphan, you may be suffering from an alcohol addiction.

Can dextromethorphan be used for depression?

Both alcohol and acetaminophen are difficult for the liver to process. When acetaminophen is processed by the body, it breaks down into several substances. Under the suggested dosage and without alcohol, NAPQI is broken down further by an antioxidant called glutathione made by your liver. If you take too much or drink alcohol alongside it, however, your liver will be overwhelmed and unable to produce enough glutathione for your immediate needs. The liver plays a vital role in metabolizing both dextromethorphan and alcohol.

Having an alcoholic drink while you are taking medications to treat prostate conditions can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. Mixing anti-anxiety and epilepsy medications with alcoholic beverages can cause slowed breathing, impaired motor control, abnormal behavior, and memory loss. Older adults (especially those who take more than one medication) are also more likely to experience problems, as the ability to clear both alcohol and drugs from the body is reduced with age.