Chronic Pain Living With Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Ibuprofen? Side effects can be intensified by drinking alcohol By Buddy T Buddy T Facebook Twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 15, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Mary Choy, PharmD Medically reviewed by Mary Choy, PharmD LinkedIn Twitter Mary Choy, PharmD, is board-certified in geriatric pharmacotherapy. She currently serves as the director of pharmacy practice of the New York State Council of Health-System Pharmacists. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Gastrointestinal Bleeding Liver Injury Kidney Damage Drug Interactions Medications containing ibuprofen are associated with some potentially serious side effects, including gastrointestinal bleeding and liver problems. The risk may be further increased if you drink alcohol while taking ibuprofen. Sally Anscombe / Getty Images Ibuprofen belongs to a class of medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are used mainly to relieve inflammation and pain. Ibuprofen can also help reduce fever and alleviate minor aches and pain from arthritis, menstrual periods, toothaches, backaches, and the common cold. Ibuprofen is commonly sold over the counter under the generic name "ibuprofen" or under such brand names as: Addaprin Advil Cedaprin I-Prin Midol Motrin NeoProfen Profen IB Proprinal Ultraprin Ibuprofen can also be found in prescription drugs like Duexis (famotidine/ibuprofen), which is used to relieve arthritis pain without stomach upset. Ibuprofen is generally safe when used as directed, albeit not for everyone. People with peptic ulcers should avoid ibuprofen. Similarly, those who might otherwise tolerate ibuprofen may experience side effects or complications if alcohol is added to the mix. The Difference Between Motrin and Advil Gastrointestinal Bleeding Ibuprofen can irritate the digestive tract, which is why it should always be taken with food. As with other NSAIDs, ibuprofen is associated with the risk of peptic ulcer disease, particularly when overused. This can lead to gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding or perforation, sometimes serious. Symptoms of severe GI bleeding include: Stomach pain Heartburn Bloody vomit Vomit that looks like coffee grounds Blood in stool Black or tarry stools There is evidence that alcohol can increase the risk and/or severity of GI bleeding in ibuprofen users. According to a 2016 review of studies in PLoS One, alcohol potentiates the risk of GI bleeding—most especially upper gastrointestinal bleeding—in users of ibuprofen and other NSAIDs. People over 60 who take high doses of ibuprofen or have taken ibuprofen over a long period of time are especially vulnerable. The use of blood thinners or steroids further increases the risk. What Drugs Cause Gastrointestinal Bleeding? Liver Injury Although the use of alcohol and Tylenol (acetaminophen) is most commonly linked to liver injury, NSAIDs like ibuprofen can also harm the liver by causing a backflow of bile into the liver or directly damaging liver cells. In severe cases, this can lead to acute liver failure. Symptoms of drug-induced liver injury can include: Extreme fatigue and weakness Left-sided abdominal pain just under the ribs Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) Loss of appetite Dark urine Pale stools Ibuprofen in particular is associated with the development of hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease). The drug directly impairs mitochondria (the "powerhouses" of a cell) and makes cells less able to regulate the metabolism of lipids (fats) in the blood. Alcohol, a major contributor to fatty liver disease, not only adds to this effect but may increase the risk of cirrhosis over time. Can You Take Tylenol With an NSAID? Kidney Damage Research has shown the long-term use of ibuprofen can harm the kidneys by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins needed to ensure normal urine output. This can lead to the onset of acute kidney injury (AKI), also known as acute renal failure. The risk of ibuprofen-induced kidney injury is highest in the elderly and in people with preexisting kidney disease, but may also affect extreme athletes who are prone to kidney impairment due to the rapid breakdown of muscle tissues. Signs and symptoms of AKI include: Decreased urine output Peripheral edema (fluid retention in the legs) Shortness of breath Fatigue and weakness Nausea Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) Chest pain or pressure Alcohol can exacerbate this effect by directly damaging the filters of the kidneys, called the glomeruli. As much as 10 percent of alcohol is excreted in its original form, placing extreme oxidative stress on the glomeruli and associated tubules. Over time, this can cause these structures to scar, harden, and narrow (referred to as nephrosclerosis). Adding ibuprofen to the mix increases the risk of nephrosclerosis and a condition called acute tubular necrosis, where the tiny ducts within the kidneys begin to collapse due to tissue death. Drug Interactions There are drug interactions associated with ibuprofen and alcohol, some of which overlap and affect both drugs. These include: Anticoagulants, including Coumadin (warfarin) and Plavix (clopidogrel) Oral corticosteroids, including prednisone Other NSAIDs, including aspirin, Aleve (naproxen), and Celebrex (celecoxib) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, including Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline) Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, including Effexor (venlafaxine) and Cymbalta (duloxetine) Taking ibuprofen and alcohol with any of these drugs can have an additive effect. For instance, ibuprofen can promote GI bleeding, which alcohol can enhance the effects of blood thinners. As such, any bleeding provoked by ibuprofen can be amplified when alcohol and anticoagulant like warfarin are both added to the mix. Ibuprofen can also cause drowsiness, dizziness, and blurred vision in some people. In these individuals, ibuprofen may amplify the effects of alcohol, leading to increased sleepiness, loss of coordination, and slowed reaction times. Should You Take Ibuprofen for a Cold or Flu? A Word From Verywell The answer as to whether you can drink alcohol while taking ibuprofen is, "It depends." The risk depends largely on your age, general health, whether you have a history of ulcers, or whether you have preexisting liver or kidney disease. If alcohol is consumed with moderation—no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men—you will likely be OK if you take an occasional ibuprofen. The same may not apply if you take ibuprofen regularly or in high doses. If in doubt, the best rule of thumb is to play it safe and avoid taking ibuprofen and alcohol together. Better yet, speak with your healthcare provider and be honest about the amount of alcohol and ibuprofen you consume. Your healthcare provider can help you assess your actual risk so that you are not placed in harm's way. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 11 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Ngo VTH, Bajaj T. Ibuprofen. In: StatPearls. Bello AE. DUEXIS (ibuprofen 800 mg, famotidine 26.6 mg): A new approach to gastroprotection for patients with chronic pain and inflammation who require treatment with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. 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