Can I Take Aspirin and Alcohol Together?

Aspirin is one of the most common over-the-counter medications widely used for various conditions ranging from fever to inflammatory and heart diseases. As with any medication, it does not come without side effects and these can lead to extreme discomfort or even harm to those who are taking it-  especially when consumed together with alcohol.

 This article will take a closer look at the potential risks of taking these substances together.

Understanding Aspirin

Aspirin is classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat a wide spectrum of diseases. Like other NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen, aspirin can be bought without a prescription from your provider. However, being an over-the-counter drug does not guarantee safety because self-medication with it can be harmful to your health. 

What is Aspirin?

Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA), more commonly known as aspirin, is derived from the bark of willow trees and has been used for pain management for centuries. It is a salicylate that underwent its first clinical trial in the 18th century as a treatment for fever. About a hundred years later, it was studied for arthritic conditions and has expanded its use since then. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the actual mode of action was discovered. Now, the medication is used for a gamut of diseases and its off-label uses are still expanding. 

How Does Aspirin Work in the Body?

The perception of pain is mediated by substances in the body called prostaglandins. A different type of prostaglandin also causes fever. In a nutshell, prostaglandins are responsible for pain, swelling and fever and aspirin exerts its therapeutic effects on these chemicals by preventing conversion into their active forms. 

What are the Common Uses of Aspirin?

Aspirin is particularly helpful in reducing swelling in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and pain control even for mild to moderate pain in muscle aches and toothaches. On top of its use in pain management, it also lends itself well to heart conditions as a blood thinner to prevent the incidence of heart attack or stroke. Moreover, aspirin has been used as a fever reducer for decades. 

The Effects of Alcohol on the Body

Alcohol has been known to affect different systems of the body and the intensity of these effects depend on the amount and the strength of alcohol consumed. In the short or long term, most of these are proved to be detrimental to your overall health. 

What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Alcohol?

When alcohol enters your system, the alcohol is absorbed in the gut and directly enters the blood stream. It then enters the brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier and directly affects the central nervous system. Once in the brain, alcohol slows down brain activity which results in decreased alertness, reflexes, response time and coordination. Loss of inhibition can also occur leading to rash behaviours such as impulsiveness and engaging in carelessness. 

This substance is metabolised in the liver; in essence, the liver breaks down alcohol and processes it until it is eliminated from the body. Over time, the repeated exposure to the byproducts of alcohol, liver damage occurs which results from inflammation and direct injury to liver cells and could eventually lead to end-stage liver disease or cirrhosis. Kidney health suffers as well as this substance causes decline in kidney function. 

Moreover, heavy alcohol drinking can directly impact heart health. The incidence of hypertension or elevated blood pressure is closely linked with alcohol intake and this eventually increases the risk of heart attack, heart failure and stroke. Chronic alcohol consumption is also associated with an increased the risk of dementia, stomach bleeding and cancers of the breast, colon and stomach. 

How Does Alcohol Affect Blood Thinning?

Alcohol interacts with blood thinning by its direct effect on the platelets in the blood which are primarily involved in blood clotting. Mild to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with decreased platelet activation which can increase the risk of bleeding. According to studies, alcohol reduces the formation of clots by its direct effects on the clotting factors that are in the blood. This is the reason why it is important to avoid intake of alcohol while you’re on blood thinners such as aspirin or if you have issues related to bleeding. 

Is it Safe to Take Aspirin With Alcohol?

Drinking alcohol while on any medication is generally not recommended, especially when on aspirin therapy. Taking both substances together can cause life-threatening complications. This is one of the things that you should consider when you plan on drinking on this medication because the risks of complications may be multiplied. 

The Risks Of Mixing Aspirin And Alcohol

Alcohol may not influence the metabolism of aspirin but it enhances the drug’s absorption from the gut. Alcohol also increases the concentration of aspirin in the different organs of the body, especially in the brain, which may lead to toxicity. Hence, it is dangerous to ingest alcohol and aspirin at the same time, as this may exacerbate the side effects of aspirin

Can Aspirin Increase The Effects Of Alcohol?

Yes. Both of these substances are known to be irritant to the stomach and they can increase the chances of gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) and stomach ulcers. This is the reason why aspirin should always be taken with food.  In severe cases, these ulcers may perforate and cause bleeding. Hence, the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding or stomach bleeding increases with concomitant aspirin and alcohol consumption. 

Are There Specific Health Conditions Where This Combination is More Dangerous?

The combination of alcohol and aspirin is more dangerous in people at risk for bleeding such as those with familial bleeding disorders and  advanced liver disease. 

When Should You Avoid Mixing Aspirin and Alcohol?

If you have been diagnosed with any of these conditions in the past: bleeding disorder, gastrointestinal problems (gastritis, ulcer), liver disease, or if you’re on other blood thinners, it is best to avoid drinking alcohol. These potential complications can be life-threatening and should not be taken lightly. 

What Symptoms Should Prompt You to Seek Medical Advice?

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible:

• abdominal pain
• dark stools
• vomiting
• nausea
• dizziness
• lethargy
• increased rate of breathing

These signs and symptoms may indicate toxicity or poisoning from aspirin or active bleeding inside the body. Hence prompt medical attention is necessary. 

Can You Manage Pain Without Mixing These Substances?

It is definitely possible to manage pain without taking the risk of mixing alcohol and aspirin. It is just a matter of choosing the appropriate alternatives such as other over-the-counter pain medications. In addition to this, a lot of non-pharmacologic approaches can alleviate pain such as exercise, yoga, meditation, massage, physical therapy, acupuncture etc. These are safer options that takes out the risk of exposing yourself to unwanted side effects brought about by taking alcohol and aspirin at the same time. 

Alternatives to Aspirin for Pain Relief

There are other options available as an alternative to aspirin for pain  relief. Most of these are over-the counter medications such as Acetaminophen and NSAIDS like Ibuprofen and Naproxen Sodium. These medications have fewer side effects and are lesser known to cause stomach irritation and bleeding. Acetaminophen is a good choice if you can’t take NSAIDs, however unlike NSAIDs it does not have anti-inflammatory properties. You can also take Ibuprofen or Naproxen but would still need to take these with food as they can still cause gastric disturbances. It is best to talk to your doctor regarding the medication that is right for you. 

Can Alternatives Produce Interactions with Alcohol Consumption?

Yes, these alternatives can still interact with alcohol. That is why, it is never safe to consume any amount of alcohol with any medication. More importantly, it is always recommended to seek medical advice before utilising any of these alternatives for pain relief so that your doctor can develop a personalised treatment plan for you. 

Help for Alcohol Use Disorder

Here at Sierra Recovery, we are dedicated in providing the best care for those who choose to break free from addiction. Our healthcare professionals are experts in their field and we specialise in employing evidence-based strategies that will help you with your recovery. We are here to support you in overcoming the challenges you may face in your recovery and help you achieve sobriety.