Have you wondered whether you can have a glass of wine while receiving treatment with medicines?

In general, caution should be exercised when drinking alcohol while taking medicines. This applies both to medicines taken regularly and those taken temporarily, such as over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines.

People may react differently, and drinking alcohol while taking certain medicines can be dangerous.

It is good practice to always read the package leaflet, which states, among other things, whether alcohol must be avoided entirely while taking the medicine. The package leaflet comes with the medicine and can also be found on the Medicinal Product Information database website.

Drinking alcohol while taking medicines could, for example:

• Reduce or increase the medicine’s effects. Taking medicines containing paracetamol while drinking alcohol can harm the liver.

• Slow the breakdown of the medicine in the body, which can cause unwanted adverse reactions.

• Increase the risk of mistakes when using medicines, such as taking them incorrectly or forgetting to take them.

In addition, some medicines can affect how alcohol is broken down in the body.

Take particular care if you use any of these medicines and intend to drink alcohol

• Medicines that act on the central nervous system, such as medicines for anxiety, psychiatric medicines, medicines for epilepsy and strong painkillers.

• Certain antibiotics, such as those containing metronidazole. Drinking alcohol while taking these medicines can cause considerable discomfort, such as vomiting.

• Certain over-the-counter medicines, such as painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines.

Always consult a doctor, pharmacist or pharmacy technician at a pharmacy if you are unsure.