The use of significantly more sudafed with alcohol will lead to sedation and lethargy, as well as the synergistic effects resulting from a mixture of the two medications. Combining alcohol with medications used to treat hypertension can cause dizziness, fainting, drowsiness, and arrhythmia . Medications that are prescribed to treat nausea can make you feel drowsy, dizzy, and may impair your motor control—symptoms that can also be caused by alcohol. Some drugs used to prevent and treat motion sickness can also be purchased over-the-counter. Alcohol can make some medications less effective by interfering with how they are absorbed in the digestive tract. In some cases, alcohol increases the bioavailability of a drug, which can raise the concentration of the medication in your blood to toxic levels.

Here’s what you need to know to use this drug safely to relieve your congestion. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. It had a massive effect on my mental state and concentration.

  • Some drugs used to prevent and treat motion sickness can also be purchased over-the-counter.
  • It is especially important to be vigilant with teenagers and young adults.
  • Alcohol, like some medicines, can make you sleepy, drowsy, or lightheaded.
  • Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually every 4 to 6 hours, as directed by the product package or by your doctor.

Though taking pseudoephedrine with alcohol is not dangerous, it can cause light headedness. Pseudoephedrine is a common over-the-counter cold and allergy medication used to treat nasal congestion, or a stuffy nose. The side effects of combining pseudoephedrine with alcohol are minimal and not considered dangerous, but may include general malaise. Certain drugs often taken with pseudoephedrine, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or various antihistamines, should not be combined with alcohol. Of course, you should use caution when using any drug, and consult a medical professional or pharmacist if you have any questions about drug interactions.

For example, some OTC products can make the effects of alcohol more intense. More intense side effects mean you might be more impaired after having one drink than you would typically be. Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually every 12 or 24 hours, depending on the product or as directed by your doctor or the product package. For this reason, nobody should mix alcohol and Sudafed unless it’s only a few standard drinks. However, some people will have more severe reactions when mixing Sudafed with alcohol. Hard drugs like heroin, crystal methamphetamine and crack cocaine can cause addiction after one or two uses.

Legal Conditions and Terms

To decrease the risk for serious side effects, carefully follow all dosage directions. Do not give other cough-and-cold medication that might contain the same or similar ingredients . Ask the doctor or pharmacist about other ways to relieve cough and cold symptoms (such as drinking enough fluids, using a humidifier or saline nose drops/spray). Do not use this product in children younger than 6 years unless specifically directed by the doctor. Do not give other cough-and-cold medication that might contain the same or similar decongestants .

People who take alcohol and sudafed together will experience the effects of both substances. Always read the label and package insert of any medication you are taking, whether it has been prescribed by your doctor or purchased over-the-counter. If you are not sure if it is safe to drink alcohol while you are taking medication, call your local pharmacy or talk to your doctor about the potential interactions. Medications used to treat insomnia or help you fall and stay asleep should never be mixed with alcohol. The sedating effect of these drugs can be increased by alcohol, leading to slowed or impaired breathing, impaired motor control, abnormal behavior, memory loss, and fainting.

This is especially true for people who are already prone to these things due to their health status or other medications they take, says Dr. Soliman. Of course, this does not mean that you can never take any of the drugs that contain this substance. In fact, many of them are helpful and can make a world of difference for someone suffering from allergies or a cold. They will not usually cause addiction or substance abuse if they are taken at the right dose. However, when the recommended dose is exceeded, it can create a number of unpleasant side effects, including the “high” that some people are chasing.

Because depressants slow down the central nervous system, alcohol reduces the stimulant effects that Sudafed has. While this is minor, it’s noticeable for people who use Sudafed to treat congestion, allergies, or breathing problems. In these cases, Sudafed should not be mixed with alcohol. In the past, cough syrups contained codeine and alcohol, making them easier to overuse for a cheap high. To combat this, the sale of cold products containing codeine was restricted. Alcohol in cold medications was replaced by dextromethorphan , which causes vomiting at high doses.

Pseudoephedrine Abuse

After the 24-hour period, it’s safe to consume alcohol without any side effects. Taking cold medications with alcohol can also become physically addictive. Weight loss or gain, problems sleeping eco sober house boston and feelings of agitation between fixes can be signs of physical addiction. One of the most dangerous issues is the need to take increasingly larger amounts to achieve the same high.

Also, if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, it is important to be especially careful about using anything that contains pseudoephedrine. When combined with an MAO inhibitor, it can cause malignant hypertension. This is a serious condition that can cause your organs to shut down. It’s critical to keep the dangers of using drugs that could cause harm to you, even if they are medications.

If you are using the suspension , shake the bottle well before each dose. Use a medication-measuring device or spoon to carefully measure the dose. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before breast-feeding. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Children may be more sensitive to the effects of this medication, especially restlessness.

sudafed and alcohol

Authorities banned over-the-counter sales in several states, including Mississippi and Oregon, with patients mandated to produce a formal prescription. Taking it with alcohol can intensify the side effects of Nyquil, leading to a high feeling. Combining Nyquil and alcohol regularly can become addictive and lead to confusion and hallucinations. It means limiting consumption to no more than one or two drinks in a single day. However, McMillan and Dr. Soliman still urge patients to stick to mocktails until the need for Sudafed is totally gone. Find out what this medication does and how it can help relieve your congestion and other symptoms.

How long after taking sudafed can I drink alcohol

Check the product package for instructions on how to store your brand, or ask your pharmacist. Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication.

The combination can lead to serious health consequences, including overdose and even death. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist to lessen your risk for serious medication problems. Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually every 4 to 6 hours, as directed by the product package or by your doctor.

sudafed and alcohol

But, medically, it is commonly used to shrink mucous membranes that often become inflamed due to allergies or a cold. This is why you can find it in a number of allergy and cold medications including Aleve, Allegra, Claritin, Mucinex, and Zyrtec. Although a lot of individuals only use it for medicinal purposes, some have found themselves abusing and misusing the substance. Many individuals purposely take an excessive amount of these medications to achieve a high similar to other stimulants like cocaine.

More About Alcohol Abuse

There are various paths to treating an addiction to pseudoephedrine. Some people opt to attend a residential treatment center for anywhere from 28 days to six months or more. This is a great option for those who desire to leave their home and dedicate their focus solely on recovery. Typically, alcohol withdrawal symptoms happen for heavier drinkers.

Some people may also experience more euphoria, depression, irritability or all three. A combination of alcohol and sudafed leads to significantly more lethargy which can easily tip over into coma, respiratory depression seizures and death. Be cautious about continuing on with your daily life as a functioning alcoholic as it can disguise some of the more serious health impacts. Interestingly, it is impossible to tell what effect sudafed and alcohol will have on an individual due to their own unique genetic make up and tolerance. It is never advisable to mix sudafed and alcohol due to the chances of mild, moderate and severe side effects. If you are having an adverse reaction from mixing sudafed and Alcohol it’s imperative that you head to your local emergency room.

  • Also, getting help can prevent a lifetime of addiction struggles.
  • Some people may also experience more euphoria, depression, irritability or all three.
  • Sudafed will also be used to reduce fevers and help with some breathing conditions like bronchitis.

This puts an even greater strain on your brain and body, and it can lead to serious mental and physical damage. If you’re stuffed up and looking for relief, Sudafed is one medication that could help. Sudafed helps relieve nasal and sinus congestion and pressure due to the common cold, hay fever, or upper respiratory allergies. One of the deadliest combinations is alcohol and narcotic pain medications. On their own, opioids can cause drowsiness, dizziness, slowed or impaired breathing, impaired motor control, abnormal behavior, and memory loss.

You should always speak with a physician to determine which medications you are okay to take. Not everyone is the same, and it is crucial to have a professional opinion guiding you. https://soberhome.net/ Sudafed is one of many drug options available today for treating nasal congestion and pressure. If you have further questions about using Sudafed, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

To learn more about a medicine and whether it will interact with alcohol, talk to your pharmacist or other health care provider. Because Sudafed is a stimulant, it’s dangerous to mix it with a depressant . That said, some types of alcohol are more harmful than others. While a few beers or glasses of wine won’t have severe effects, drinking several shots of liquor will lead to problems. Because Sudafed is a stimulant, it reduces the intoxicating effects of alcohol.

Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially fast/irregular heartbeat, dizziness, problems urinating, trouble sleeping, or confusion. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely.

Children and infants up to 4 years of age—Use is not recommended . Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding. Do not use for more than 7 days without first consulting your doctor. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use . As an owner of multiple bars in the last 17 years, Cathy brings her experience into her writings, to educate our tasty readers. Here are the symptoms to look out for—and how to stay safe.

You should check if tramadol interacts with any other medications. If tramadol is combined with alcohol, its effectiveness is reduced and it can cause serious side effects in some cases. Taking tramadol should not be combined with alcohol or other drugs. The problem is that people often think that if they feel OK after having one drink, they can have two, and things go downhill from there. Also, just because you’re probably OK if you stick with one drink doesn’t mean you can’t have a bad reaction. “It’s not that you’ll never have one, it’s just unlikely,” Dr. Cutler says.

The first time might not seem so bad, but the reaction will get worse over time. Infants and children up to 12 years of age—Use is not recommended . Children 4 to 6 years of age—15 mg every four to six hours. Children 6 to 12 years of age—30 mg every four to six hours. Pseudoephedrine may be more likely to cause side effects in infants, especially newborn and premature infants, than in older children and adults.