Taking medications together with alcohol is never a great idea. It can lead to potentially harmful consequences, especially if the interaction intensifies the known side effects of both substances. This type of interaction is found when taking alcohol and prednisone together. This article will examine the side effects, mode of action, and other specifics of this interaction, empowering you with the information you need to navigate your treatment journey confidently.
Why Do People Take Prednisone?
Prednisone is a synthetic steroid that is used to treat a wide variety of diseases. This prescription medication is anti-inflammatory (treats swelling) and immunosuppressive (suppresses immune response), which is useful in conditions such as allergies, asthma, arthritis, and various respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases etc. It exerts its effect on the immune system to relieve swelling, itchiness, and redness and even helps to regulate overactive immune response in some conditions.
How Does Prednisone Affect The Body?
Prednisone affects the body by mimicking cortisol, a natural hormone influencing numerous bodily functions such as your body clock, metabolism, and immunity.
This drug decreases swelling through its direct effects on the small blood vessels and by reversing the effects of white blood cells that act on the inflammation in affected areas in the body. It also suppresses immune response by reducing the activity of cells and substances mediating various processes in the immune system.
Moreover, prednisone alleviates swelling and inflammation by inhibiting the release of prostaglandins, which cause inflammation and pain. However, with blockage of prostaglandins, protective prostaglandins in the stomach are also inhibited, leading to irritation of the stomach lining and consequent inflammation or gastric ulcers.
In addition to this, prednisone can affect the sleep-wake cycle, leading to disruptions in your body clock as manifested by insomnia and other sleep disturbances. Prednisone can also result in weight gain through increased appetite and fluid retention. It also changes how fat and sugar are metabolised in the body, resulting in elevated blood sugar and redistribution of fat to your face and midsection.
Side Effects Of Prednisone
While the medication’s benefits can be profound, it is important to acknowledge that, like other medications, prednisone has side effects. These reactions result from how prednisone interacts with the body’s hormonal balance. Understanding these effects is essential to ensure safe and effective treatment.
Common Side Effects Of Prednisone
The primary side effects of prednisone include insomnia, oedema, weight changes, fatigue, heartburn/stomach upset, acne, increased blood sugar levels and appetite. As a topical or injectable, prednisone can also cause skin fragility, manifesting as thinning of the surrounding skin.
Serious Side Effects Of Prednisone
More severe adverse effects would consist of osteoporosis, cataracts, delayed wound healing and hormonal imbalances. As the medication causes gastric disturbances such as heartburn, gastritis or even gastric ulcers, it is important to note to take it with food; with higher doses, antacids may be given by your doctor to minimise the risk of developing gastric ulcers.
In patients who take high doses of the drug over a long period, potential adverse reactions include signs and symptoms related to multiple hormonal imbalances, such as weight gain and fractures, and significant cardiovascular and metabolic effects, such as elevated blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels. Prolonged immune system suppression can also pose an increased risk for infections.
Reasons For Mixing Prednisone And Alcohol
It is generally not recommended to drink alcohol with prednisone. However, there are several reasons why some individuals may take prednisone with alcohol. These may be some of the reasons:
- Lack of awareness: Some individuals may not consider prednisone as medication, completely ignoring warnings of potential interactions with substances such as alcohol.
- Habitual patterns: If drinking has been a regular thing, such as in alcohol abuse or alcohol use disorder, unintended intake of medications may lead the person to mix prednisone with alcohol.
- Misinformation: A family member, a friend or a co-worker might have shared an anecdote that nothing happened to them after combining alcohol and prednisone. Anecdotal experiences such as these can create false reassurance on the patient’s part and may lead to underestimation of the potential risks of mixing the two substances.
Is It Safe To Drink Alcohol While Taking Prednisone?
If you’re prescribed prednisone and thinking of having a drink or two, this might not be a good idea. Drinking while on prednisone increases the chances of you experiencing the expected side effects of both substances.
It is generally recommended to take your prednisone with food, and rightfully so, because it irritates the stomach lining. Alcohol also causes stomach irritation, and taking them together will most likely intensify gastrointestinal side effects.
The effects of alcohol itself may also add unnecessary discomfort while you’re taking medication and may disrupt or prolong your recovery.
The Interactions And Dangers Of Mixing Prednisone And Alcohol
While alcohol does not interfere with the absorption of prednisone in the body, alcohol intake may intensify the side effects of prednisone, such as heartburn, abdominal pain, insomnia, weight gain and fatigue.
The risk of more severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as gastritis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach), a precursor for gastric ulcers, is compounded. This is because both alcohol and steroids, such as prednisone, are irritants to the stomach. This means that the ill effects of prednisone and alcohol on your stomach health may be magnified. In more severe cases, such interaction could lead to gastrointestinal bleeding if not recognised early.
Prolonged prednisone intake may lower your immunity due to suppression of the immune response. This can predispose you to many infections, especially those that are difficult to treat. This can be aggravated by mixing it with alcohol since alcohol can weaken your immune system, especially with long-term, excessive consumption.
Consuming alcohol while on prednisone can also prolong your recovery. You may experience the effects of alcohol, such as drowsiness, headaches, fatigue, and dehydration; all of these could affect your body’s ability to get better.
When To Find Help
Recognising the early signs of dependency and misuse is crucial for seeking timely help. Dealing with stress can be overwhelming. However, it’s important to understand that support and healthier alternatives are available. A compassionate, professional approach to treatment can help individuals break free from addiction and reclaim their lives.
Prednisone Treatment
Misuse of the drug, such as taking it longer than prescribed, self-medication, or not finishing the full course of treatment, can be harmful to your health. It is essential to ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about the proper intake of your prednisone treatment, emphasising proper dosage, timing and duration. Make it a point that you understand how to take the medication before leaving the doctor’s clinic or the pharmacy.
Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and prescription drug misuse are a dangerous combination because of the negative impacts they can have on your overall health and well-being. AUD involves difficulty in controlling your alcohol intake despite the disruption it is causing your personal life. When alcohol consumption is combined with medications such as prednisone, the risks of potentially harmful side effects and complications increase dramatically. If you or someone you know struggles with AUD (or medication misuse), it is crucial to seek help. Warning signs of AUD include dependency, early signs and symptoms of withdrawal syndrome, and health complications. Treatment options are available, and recovery is at hand with proper medical advice and supervision.
The Bottom Line
Prednisone, a potent synthetic steroid, is widely used for various diseases like allergies, asthma, and arthritis by reducing inflammation and suppressing an overactive immune system. Like other medications, it comes with potential side effects, and these reactions stem from the medication’s effects on the immune response, sleep-wake cycle and hormonal balance. Alcohol can magnify these aforementioned side effects, and therefore, it is not recommended to take them together. The interaction between prednisone and alcohol can harm your health in ways you might not expect.
Moreover, reliance on substances such as alcohol or medications to cope with stress can lead to substance misuse. This can lead to a vicious cycle that profoundly impacts personal, social, mental and physical health. When individuals seek comfort from these substances as a form of unhealthy, dysfunctional coping, the risk of addiction increases.
Rethinking drinking? Regaining control over your general health and well-being is our speciality at Sierra Recovery, and we have supported countless people in doing just that. Contact us now to learn more about our services.
