Editorial Staff

Birth control refers to the practice of preventing unwanted pregnancies. There are many different methods of birth control, from pills to patches to condoms for men and women. Recent data would suggest that over 99% of women between the ages of 15 and 44 who have ever been sexually active have used at least one type of contraception. Approximately 60% of all women are currently using contraceptives of some kind.1 Women using birth control to prevent pregnancy may be concerned about whether alcohol may impact how well their contraception works. Types of Birth Control and Their Effectiveness There are many types of birth control available to help prevent pregnancy. None of them are 100% effective, as abstinence is the only way to guarantee not getting pregnant. Some types of birth control are over 99% effective, however. Below are a few different common types of birth control and their corresponding levels of effectiveness:2 Condoms are the only method in this list that protect against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). With perfect use, male condoms are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. With typical use, they are about 82% effective. Perfect use of female condoms results in a 95% efficacy rate, while typical use has only 79% efficacy rate. The pill is one of the most well-known types of birth control, and it is about 91% effective with normal use. With perfect use, it is 99% effective. The pill must be taken daily and certain types must be taken around the same time each day. The patch is also 91% effective with typical use (99% with perfect use). It slowly releases hormones that prevent pregnancy and must be replaced every 3 weeks. The birth control shot, also known as the depo shot from the common brand name of Depo-Provera, must be given every 3 months and is 94% effective with typical use. It is safe and convenient but must be used on time to be most effective. If always administered on time, it is 99% effective. IUDs, or intrauterine devices, are small flexible plastic devices that are placed inside the uterus by a doctor or nurse. It is a long-term form of birth control that can prevent pregnancy for 3–12 years, depending on the IUD. They are over 99% effective. The vaginal ring is 91% effective with normal use. It is a small plastic ring that is placed inside the vagina and needs to be replaced once a month, which is something you can do yourself at home. When worn the right way and replaced on time, it is 99% effective. The birth control implant is a small, thin rod similar in size to a matchstick. A doctor or nurse inserts the implant into your arm, and it can remain there for up to 3 years. It is more than 99% effective and a good option for people who don’t want to have to think about taking their birth control daily, weekly, or monthly. Each of these forms of birth control, apart from condoms, uses the hormones progestin, estrogen, or a combination of the two, in order to stop ovulation and thus prevent pregnancy. Does Alcohol Affect Birth Control? The good news for women taking hormonal birth control pills is that alcohol does not interfere with the effectiveness of birth control. However, there are some alcohol-related risks. The primary concern with mixing alcohol when taking birth control is the impact alcohol has on your behavior and judgment. This is a particular concern for people using any birth control method that requires regular compliance, such as taking a daily pill or changing a ring. Being drunk or incapacitated by a hangover may make them more likely to forget (or simply neglect) to take their pill or change their ring. This may result in an unplanned pregnancy. One study found that risky drinking increased the odds of ineffective contraception (whether it was a condom or a scheduled pill) by 1.7 times.3 Alcohol use can also lead to ineffective or inconsistent use of condoms, increasing the risk of both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In the previously mentioned study, women who were found to have used condoms ineffectively reported a higher number of binge drinking episodes than their peers.4 There is also the possibility of throwing up from alcohol intoxication shortly after taking the pill, which may impair the drug’s absorption and thus decrease its effectiveness. The general rule is 2 hours; vomiting within 2 hours of swallowing the pill may put you at risk. After that, you are likely safe.4 While alcohol won’t impact your birth control if you are using it correctly, missing doses, failing to replace the device on time, or using condoms incorrectly can increase your risk of becoming pregnant. And if you continue to drink after your become pregnant, your unborn child could be at risk. Many women do not know they are pregnant until 4-6 weeks into their pregnancies and may have been drinking during that time, unknowingly subjecting the forming fetus to harm.5 If you have failed to use your birth control correctly or believe that you might due to alcohol consumption, you may talk your doctor about longer-lasting forms of birth control, for example an IUD. How Does Birth Control Affect My Response to Alcohol? While on hormonal birth control, some women may eliminate alcohol more slowly and feel the intoxicating effects longer.6 The liver has to do the work of metabolizing both the hormones in the birth control and the alcohol that is consumed, so the process of eliminating the alcohol gets slowed down.7 The Bottom Line There are many different birth control options available to women that are all highly effective when used correctly. Selecting the right type of birth control is a personal decision that can be made with the help of an informed medical professional. In general, alcohol has no direct impact on the efficacy of birth control. The only concern is how alcohol impairs your state of mind and your ability to use your contraception as required. Women who enjoy the occasional alcoholic drink and worry that it will cause them to miss doses or use their contraception ineffectively can discuss different options with their doctors. [sources] Guttmacher Institute. (n.d.). Contraceptive Use in the United States. National Health Service. (2017). How effective is contraception at preventing pregnancy? Ingersoll, K. S., Ceperich, S. D., Nettleman, M. D., & Johnson, B. A. (2008). Risk drinking and contraception effectiveness among college women. Psychology & health, 23(8), 965-81. National Health Service. (2016). What if I'm on the pill and I'm sick or have diarrhoea? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Alcohol Use in Pregnancy. UC Davis. (n.d.). Overview of Alcohol. Leonard, Jayne. (2018). What to know about birth control and alcohol. Medical News Today. [/sources] ...

In this day and age, with antibiotics being widely prescribed and alcohol use as prevalent as ever, it is unsurprising that mixing antibiotics and alcohol is not a rare occurrence. However, while it may be common, it is not always safe. Read on to learn more about antibiotics, their side effects, and how they can interact with alcohol. What Are Antibiotics? Though there are antimicrobial agents used to target non-bacterial pathogens, the term “antibiotics” is most commonly reserved for medications that treat bacterial infections. And, though they may prove ineffective against many health issues—including fungal infections, parasitic processes, and viral illnesses such as cold and flu—they can be lifesaving in the fight against various bacterial diseases.1 There are several types of antibiotics available for the treatment of a wide range of conditions, such as:2-6 Bacterial pneumonia and other respiratory infections. Strep throat. Ear infections. Urinary tract infections. Sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia. Certain skin infections such as bacterial cellulitis. Sepsis. Each class of antibiotic works slightly differently in the fight against harmful bacteria in the body. Some antibiotics stop bacteria from building cell walls, effectively killing them. Penicillin works in this way. Others stop the protein-building process; without protein, the bacteria cannot survive. Other antibiotics interrupt DNA synthesis, destroying the bacteria and preventing new growth. It is important to know that while antibiotics are very effective at killing pathogenic, or infection-causing bacteria, they can harm good bacteria as well. Good bacteria are important for maintaining gut health and a strong immune system, which is why antibiotics can be tough on your body and should not be overused. Antibiotic use is associated with a very serious opportunistic infection called C. difficile, which causes severe diarrhea and may lead to colon damage or death.4 Dangers associated with mixing alcohol and antibiotics are not to be taken lightly. Not only can alcohol interact badly with some medications but it can interrupt your healing process. If you or a loved one frequently mixes antibiotics and alcohol, it may be time to seek professional help. Our admissions navigators are available 24/7 at [phone] and can provide you with the information you need to get help. Please call today. What are the different types of antibiotics? The different types of antibiotic medications include: Azithromycin (Zithromax) Amoxicillin Amoxicillin/clavulante (Augmentin) Ciprofloxacin Cephalexin Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim) Clindamycin Doxycycline Metronidazole What are some common side effects of antibiotics? When used as directed, antibiotics are generally considered safe. Healthy people who rarely take antibiotics, and who only take them for a short period of time when they do, are unlikely to experience serious side effects. However, there are some risks to taking antibiotics (as well as taking them incorrectly), which is why they should only be used when needed.7 Never push your doctor to prescribe them to you if he or she doesn’t think you need them. Antibiotics are somewhat indiscriminate in terms of the organisms that they impact. Because some “good” bacteria is often killed along with the pathogenic targets, systemic antibiotics can upset the normal balance of symbiotic bacteria in your body—giving rise to conditions such as:7 Upset stomach. Diarrhea. Yeast infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that it is important to follow the directions on your antibiotics exactly as prescribed. Take the entire course of your medication; do not stop early and store unused medication for future use. Often, antibiotics aren’t needed to resolve common illnesses such as bronchitis, and taking them when not required can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance. When a pathogen becomes resistant to antibiotics, it becomes much more challenging to treat. Such is the case with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other antibiotic-resistant “superbugs”—strains of previously treatable bacterial pathogens that have evolved in such a way as to elude the traditional antibiotic treatment and so have become much more threatening for those who get it.8 When someone is truly in need of antibiotics, the benefits of taking them certainly outweigh the risk of possible side effects. When they aren’t needed and/or not used correctly (e.g., not taken for the full prescribed course), antibiotics may not only be ineffective, but they can lead to secondary, opportunistic infections and antibiotic resistance, all while exposing you to other negative side effects (e.g., gastrointestinal distress, drug sensitivity reactions, etc.).8 Can You Drink on Antibiotics? Though moderate drinking is thought to be relatively safe with many antibiotics, most antibiotic medications are packaged with a warning to avoid alcohol during the course of treatment. Heavy drinking may impair immune system function, making it more difficult to recover from infection, and there are certain antibiotics known to interact negatively with alcohol.9 For example, when alcohol is ingested with specific antibiotics, such as cefotetan and metronidazole, a reaction may arise that is similar what a person would experience after drinking while on the alcoholism treatment drug, disulfiram (Antabuse). Symptoms might include:9 Dilation of the blood vessels that causes flushed skin. Hypotension (low blood pressure). Rapid heart rate. Additionally, some researchers have suggested that certain medications may interfere with the body’s ability to metabolize alcohol, resulting in a higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC).9 Erythromycin, commonly used to treat skin and respiratory infections, may speed up gastric emptying, thereby increasing the rate of absorption of alcohol in the intestine, resulting in increased blood alcohol levels.9 Liver damage may also occur should you drink while taking isoniazid (used to treat tuberculosis).10 If you are worried that you might be experiencing an adverse reaction while drinking and taking antibiotics, do not hesitate to seek medical attention. In addition to the above side effects, alcohol can hinder certain immune system processes and have a negative impact on your body’s ability to recover from the targeted infection. Just one episode of binge drinking can result in a decline in the immune system response and a decreased ability to fight off infection.11 Alcohol can also interfere with healthy sleeping and eating patterns as well as the body’s ability to absorb vital nutrients.12,13 All of these factors play an important role in recovering from illness and maintaining health. Should you avoid alcohol while taking medications? Drinking alcohol while taking medications can be harmful. If you have been prescribed antibiotics, you are likely to be suffering from an illness that requires appropriate rest and treatment. Antibiotics have been developed to fight specific bacterial cells, but they should only be taken when absolutely necessary and should only be taken as directed. If your doctor advises you to avoid alcohol, it’s best to follow their instructions. Not only can alcohol interact badly with some medications but it can interrupt your healing process. Most antibiotics are prescribed on a short-term basis, and it is best to temporarily avoid alcohol until you are no longer taking your medication. [sources] U.S. National Library of Medicine, Medline Plus. (2018). Antibiotics. University of Utah, Genetic Science Learning Center. (n.d.). What is an antibiotic? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Antibiotic Prescribing and Use in Doctor’s Offices. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Be Antibiotics Aware: Smart Use, Best Care. New York State Department of Health. (2006). Chlamydia (chlamydia trachomatis genital infection). Merck Manual. (2017). Cellulitis. Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics. (2014). General Background: When & How to take Antibiotics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Be Antibiotics Aware Partner Toolkit. Weatherman, R. and Crabb, D. (1999). Alcohol and Medication Interactions. Alcohol Research & Health, 23(1), 40-54. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2014). Harmful Interactions, mixing alcohol with medicines. WebMd. (n.d.). Binge Drinking May Weaken Immune System. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Sleep, Sleepiness, and Alcohol Use. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (1993). Alcohol Alert. [/sources] ...

Both the common cold and bouts of the flu are caused by viruses and are characterized by runny and stuffy nose, congestion, cough, head and body aches, fever, and fatigue. These respiratory illnesses tend to resolve relatively quickly. Seasonal and environmental allergies, on the other hand, will last as long as you are exposed to the specific allergen causing you discomfort. Medications for the relief of cold, flu, and allergies (such as Sudafed, DayQuil, and Tylenol Cold and Sinus) will help to lessen the discomfort associated with these conditions but will not cure them. Most of the time, a cold or flu will get better with rest and time, but while you wait, these medications can help to alleviate symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and sore throat. While these medications can be very beneficial in providing a much-needed reprieve from bothersome symptoms, they can be unsafe when used improperly—for example, when consumed with alcohol. If you or a loved one is improperly mixing cold medicine and alcohol, or you recognize the side effects listed below, it may be time to seek professional help. Our admissions navigators are available at [phone] 24/7 to discuss treatment options and give you the information you need to begin your road to recovery. Side Effects and Risks of Mixing Cold Medicine with Alcohol It isn’t only taking more than the recommended dose or mixing medications that can harm you. Even having just a few drinks while taking one of these OTC medicines can lead to serious physical consequences. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) warns against mixing alcohol with medicines. Alcohol can intensify the sedating effects of allergy, cold, and flu medicines and make it unsafe to perform certain tasks, such as driving. Alcohol may also increase the risk of overdose.6 Possible physical reactions that may arise from mixing alcohol with these medicines include:6 Profound drowsiness. Vertigo/dizziness. Gastrointestinal upset. Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat). Increased risk of bleeding. Increased risk of GI ulcers. The combination of acetaminophen and alcohol is a major concern, as combining them can lead to serious, potentially fatal liver damage. Typically, taking a dose of acetaminophen and having a drink or two should not put undue stress on the liver. Those who are most in danger tend to be those who drink heavily (3 or more drinks per day) who take an acetaminophen-containing medicine(s) several times in a 24-hour period. When you have a cold or flu, however, it is entirely possible that you’ll take one of these medicines many times over the course of several days. If you also drink during this time, you may be risking your liver health, especially if you’re having 3 or more drinks per day.7 This risk is increased if you unknowingly take 2 or more drugs that contain acetaminophen. Many cold and flu combination medications that also treat cough contain some alcohol as well, so you may be consuming more alcohol than you thought.6 Mixing alcohol with allergy, cold, and flu medications is tricky because many people are often unaware of all the ingredients in their medications. Most over-the-counter cold and flu combination medications contain multiple active ingredients. When consuming one or more cold, flu, or allergy medications, read the labels carefully and pay attention to overlapping ingredients and any alcohol warnings. If you have any questions about what is safe to take, you can call your doctor or speak to a pharmacist. Women and older people are at a greater risk for experiencing complications from mixing alcohol with these medications. Women’s bodies tend to have less water than men’s bodies, and because alcohol mixes with water throughout the body, the proportion of alcohol in a woman’s bloodstream will, on average, be relatively higher than that of a man who drinks the same amount. The increased concentration of alcohol in the body equates to greater risk of adverse medication interactions.6 Likewise, older people’s bodies generally take a longer time to break down and process alcohol. This means that alcohol remains in their systems longer and increases the chances of negative alcohol/medication interactions. Older people are also more likely to be taking one or more medications already, and the interactions between some of these medications and alcohol may subject them to further harm.6 Avoid the Dangers Medical professionals warn against drinking alcohol when taking allergy, cold, and flu medications due to the risk of some dangerous complications. The risk of liver damage, as well as depressed nervous system functioning, increases with higher doses of medication and greater alcohol intake.6 Alcohol can decrease the likelihood that you will experience symptomatic relief from your allergy, cold, and flu medications while at the same time increasing your likelihood of adverse effects and overdose.6 Due to the wide range of active ingredients in many of these medications, it can be difficult to know exactly what you are taking and exactly how the medications react with alcohol. Because of this, thousands of people every year seek medical attention for accidental overdose. No matter what allergy, cold, and flu medications you are taking, be extremely cautious about drinking. And remember, even if you don’t consume a medicine and an alcoholic drink at the same exact time, they may still interact with each other.6 Always read your medication labels and pay attention to the warnings. If you’re unsure about whether it’s safe to consume alcohol, the safest thing to do is to avoid it altogether until you are no longer taking the medicine. In fact, it may help you recover faster if you don’t drink while you’re sick. Alcohol can disrupt your sleep and make it more difficult to get the rest you need to get well.8 Additionally, depending on how much you drink, you could hamper your immune response temporarily and prolong your cold or flu. 9 Types of Cold and Allergy Medicine There is a wide variety of over-the-counter medications available to treat allergy, cold, and flu symptoms, including:1 Claritin. Mucinex. Sudafed/Sudafed PE. DayQuil/NyQuil. Theraflu. Advil Cold & Sinus. Tylenol Cold & Sinus. Robitussin. Delsym Cough + Cold Nighttime. These medications are to be used on an as-needed basis. However, this doesn’t mean you should reach for them every time you’re feeling bad—they should only be taken in accordance with the directions on the package to ensure safety and reduce the risk of experiencing harmful side effects. Side Effects of Allergy, Cold, and Flu Medicine Each medication has intended uses and side effects that may be experienced somewhat differently by each individual using the product. Common side effects of allergy, cold, and flu medications include:2,3,4 Excitability (esp. in children). Nervousness. Sleep problems. Drowsiness. Upset stomach. Nausea/vomiting. Dry mouth. Lightheadedness. Dizziness. The common and milder side effects of these medications typically resolve on their own. However, other more serious side effects may occur, especially if you take the more of the drug than is recommended or take the medication with other drugs that contain some or all of the same ingredients. For example, many of these medicines contain acetaminophen and an overdose of acetaminophen can do serious harm to your liver. DayQuil is one such commonly used medication. It contains 325 mg of acetaminophen per capsule and 650 mg per each liquid dose (30 mL). Per the manufacturer’s website, taking more than 4 of the recommended doses in a period of 24 hours or taking it with another acetaminophen-containing drug may cause severe liver damage.5 Taking these medicines with alcohol lowers the threshold for sustaining liver injury and compounds this risk (see below). If you’ve taken too much of an acetaminophen-containing drug or taken more than one of these medicines and you being to feel abdominal pain, nausea, or begin vomiting, seek emergency medical attention. Liver problems are not the only severe side effect. Taking too much of your OTC medicine may result in other adverse effects, depending on the active ingredients. If you are having any unusual problems after taking your medicine, call your doctor. If you are think you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. [sources] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2014). Harmful Interactions. Harvard Health Publishing. (2009). Overdoing acetaminophen. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Sleep, Sleepiness, and Alcohol Use. WebMd. (n.d.). Binge Drinking May Weaken Immune System. [/sources] ...