Is It Safe to Consume Acetaminophen While Drinking Alcohol?
In a general population, both alcohol and Tylenol (acetaminophen) can pose potential risks to health, especially when combined.
Heavy drinking is defined as imbibing eight or more drinks for women, or 15 or more drinks for men in the course of a week. On the other hand, a "normal" dose of acetaminophen is up to 1,000 milligrams (mg) over a four-to-six-hour period and a total of no more than 4,000 mg in a day.
Both substances are metabolized in the liver. When combined, they can have a synergistic toxic effect on the liver, potentially causing severe or life-threatening liver injury.
Moderation is critical when it comes to consuming alcohol and using Tylenol. Limit alcohol to no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 for men, and use Tylenol at recommended doses only.
It's important to avoid combining Tylenol with alcohol if you take large or frequent doses of acetaminophen or consume alcohol excessively. People with pre-existing liver conditions, chronic alcohol use, or other risk factors should avoid mixing these substances entirely and consult a healthcare professional before use.
Some sources recommend not drinking alcohol at all while taking acetaminophen, reflecting the safest approach to prevent toxic hepatitis or liver injury.
Chronic, heavy alcohol intake can deplete the liver of its glutathione stores, potentially causing problems when acetaminophen is added to the mix. A small amount of the metabolized acetaminophen is converted into a toxin that can be harmful to the liver. However, occasional use of Tylenol with 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks may be relatively low risk for most people if both are taken in moderation.
The liver converts most of the metabolized acetaminophen into a benign substance that's removed in urine. Acetaminophen is generally OK to take after you've had a drink or two, max.
However, the potential side effects of acetaminophen can become more severe when mixed with alcohol, including bleeding ulcers in the stomach or intestines and rapid heartbeat. Additionally, acetaminophen can cause kidney failure and painful inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
Approximately half of acetaminophen overdoses are accidental. Signs of acetaminophen toxicity to look out for include pain on the upper right side of the abdomen under the ribs, dark, bloody or infrequent urine, skin and eyes that appear yellow (jaundice), abdominal pain and swelling, unusual bruising or bleeding, loss of appetite, confusion, fatigue or loss of consciousness, blurry vision, excessive sweating.
Acetaminophen is an ingredient in over 600 different over-the-counter and prescription medications. To minimize the risk of complications when taking Tylenol and drinking alcohol, consider current health conditions, review medications, follow dosing instructions, wash it down with water, consider alternatives, track consumption, mind what and when you eat.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines moderate alcohol use as no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men. It's safer when you're sober, but overdoses and acetaminophen toxicity can still happen, so follow dosing instructions to the letter and contact your provider if you have any questions about whether to take Tylenol, or how to do it safely.
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2021, March 15). Acetaminophen: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning. Retrieved July 10, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/acetaminophen/description/drg-20068882
[2] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2021). Alcohol and Medications. Retrieved July 10, 2021, from https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-and-medications
[3] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Acetaminophen. Retrieved July 10, 2021, from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/acetaminophen
- A balanced diet and regular exercise, as part of health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise routines, are crucial for maintaining overall health and counteracting the potential health risks associated with alcohol and Tylenol.
- The history of Tylenol (acetaminophen) reveals its widespread availability in more than 600 over-the-counter and prescription medications, making it essential to be aware of one's medication intake and its potential interactions with alcohol.
- The mental-health implications of excessive alcohol consumption, combined with the risks of acetaminophen overdoses, highlight the importance of seeking help for any addiction issues and following dosing instructions meticulously to ensure safe use of both substances.
- Proper nutrition and sleep habits can bolster one's liver health, which is crucial when it comes to metabolizing acetaminophen, and thus reducing the risk of liver injury when alcohol and Tylenol are consumed together.
