Alcohol And Acetaminophen

What Is Acetaminophen?

Acetaminophen (often branded as Tylenol) is an analgesic (pain reliever) medication. It is an active ingredient used to help headaches, period cramps, mild aches and pains, backaches, flu-like symptoms, and tooth pain from a toothache or dental work. Acetaminophen is generally safe and not habit forming and can be found on shelves in stores as brands like Tylenol. Individuals taking acetaminophen take the pill via mouth and can find relief in less than half an hour after consumption. They are safe for children but should be taken with caution. Some brands offer a children’s version that has an appropriate dose.

Despite its effectiveness in providing pain relief, it is not always best for those seeking relief for inflammation. Breastfeeding mothers taking acetaminophen should consult a doctor beforehand just to be safe. Acetaminophen is taken orally, with the dosage written on the back of the bottles.

Alcohol And Acetaminophen Risks

Generally, side effects of acetaminophen are low or non-threatening; they may include skin reactions and headaches. Adding alcohol to the mix increases the risk of side effects. These include stomach bleeding, abdominal swelling, liver damage, and kidney injury.

Both alcohol and acetaminophen are primarily metabolized by the liver, and therefore, when a person ingests both, it can have dangerous effects, even resulting in liver failure. As a result, many medical professionals recommend avoiding alcohol when taking acetaminophen and limiting acetaminophen to 4,000mg per day. Alcohol and acetaminophen can also overwhelm the kidneys, leading to acute kidney injury, sometimes requiring dialysis. This can worsen, especially when the person is dehydrated. Studies show that even therapeutic doses of acetaminophen, when taken with light-to-moderate alcohol consumption, can produce a 123% increase in the risk of kidney dysfunction compared to taking either substance alone.

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Alcohol And Acetaminophen Symptoms

Since the liver is responsible for metabolizing drugs and alcohol, combining these may overwhelm the liver. Kidney and liver failure are not the only risks associated with alcohol and acetaminophen cocktails. Aside from kidney damage, someone could also experience:

• Stomach pain
• Ulcers
• Bleeding
• Rapid heartbeat

In addition to the above symptoms, someone can experience signs of liver damage such as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Jaundice
• Unusual bruising
• Abdominal pain on the right side of the body
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Confusion
• Excessive sweating

People who consume acetaminophen with alcohol may have underlying challenges related to alcohol abuse. It may be helpful to consider how often they consume alcohol outside of the context of taking acetaminophen and examine if they run the risk of having an alcohol use disorder or other factors encouraging drinking. Questions for reflection can include:

• Is the individual drinking to soothe stress?
• Do they binge drink?
• Do they use other chemicals that could be more harmful than acetaminophen?
• Do they have a history of drinking?
• Have you witnessed them talking about using other drugs?
• Is the individual experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety?

These are important considerations to determine if there is an alcohol-related use disorder than can become progressively worse over time. Alcohol is a highly addictive substance that is highly abused and can change the chemistry of the brain. If someone is abusing alcohol and is unable to drink in moderation, this indicates professional help is needed to combat this addiction.

How Acetaminophen Affects People With Alcoholism

Chronic, prolonged use of alcohol can cause damage to vital organs. Long-term health risks of alcohol use include kidney toxicity, cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, heart failure, brain damage, and a physical dependence to alcohol. Someone with an alcohol use disorder may already have a compromised liver, and combining acetaminophen with more alcohol can worsen the risk of irreparable damage. They are at an increased risk of having kidney or liver failure and should not combine the two. Drinking water or other non-alcoholic beverages while taking acetaminophen can reduce risk; harm can also be mitigated by consuming less than 3,000 mg of acetaminophen daily, taking acetaminophen for 10 days or fewer, having smaller amounts of alcohol each day, having three drinks or fewer of alcohol a day, and being mindful of other medications consumed.

Talking to a medical professional about taking acetaminophen is suggested to ensure responsible pain management. Also, it is essential to be aware of sensations in the body that can signal liver damage; these can include abdominal swelling, lethargy, excessive sweating, bruising, or unusual bleeding. If taking acetaminophen becomes a problem, consider alternative pain relievers that may be more natural. Do not combine them with alcohol. If alcohol use is a challenge, consider seeking professional addiction treatment for assistance. This may uncover motives for alcoholism along with providing counseling and drugs to reduce alcohol withdrawal.

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Ingesting alcohol with acetaminophen can be uncomfortable and dangerous, but support is available. If you or a loved one needs rehab-related help, visit our rehab directory or contact a treatment provider to explore your treatment options.