In particular, red wine might offer the greatest benefit for lowering heart disease risk and death because it contains higher levels of natural plant chemicals — such as resveratrol — that have antioxidant properties and might protect artery walls. However, even medications that don't require a prescription can be unsafe when mixed with alcohol. For example, OTC painkillers (including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can cause a range of symptoms from gastrointestinal upset to bleeding and ulcers in the stomach to tachycardia (racing heart). Mild liver inflammation can occur in about 2% of people who take statins for a long time. While it typically gets better after stopping taking the medications, there has been concern that alcohol (which is metabolized by the liver) could potentially make liver inflammation worse. If you're drinking excessively or regularly, you are increasing the risk of adverse medication reactions.
Cholesterol and Alcohol
- They can provide personalized guidance based on your specific medications and health status.
- You should also have a routine blood test to check the health of your liver 3 months after treatment begins, and again after 12 months.
- In some cases, side effects may be serious, such as myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and liver problems.
- Statins can increase the risk of developing rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney damage and, eventually, kidney failure.
- Your doctor may recommend avoiding red yeast rice when you’re taking Lipitor.
When people do experience side effects from taking statins, they are typically minor and resolve once a person stops taking the statins or changes their dosage. Statins can also increase the risk of developing benign proteinuria, a condition in which there is excess protein in the urine. But nearly all find that when they switch to a different statin, their symptoms resolve. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 93% of adults in the United States taking a cholesterol medication in 2012 were taking a statin. The hormetic effects of long-term and regular alcohol consumption in CVD will be briefly discussed below and are summarized in Table 2.
Musculoskeletal side effects
Some of the potential cellular changes related to ethanol consumption reviewed above are illustrated in figure 5. More than one cellular event may be happening at the same time, and, as with other chronic health conditions, the relevant mechanisms may be synergistic and interrelated. We prospectively hypothesized that alcohol would not reduce the MACE risk in statin users.
Are there benefits to drinking alcohol?
Drinking even a small amount of alcohol while taking an antibiotic called Flagyl (metronidazole) can cause a severe reaction, making you extremely sick with nausea and vomiting. You will want to avoid alcohol for three days before you start and after you stop Flagyl. It's important that you don't mix alcohol with any of the following medications. The longer a person misuses stimulants and alcohol together, the higher the risk becomes of developing substance use disorders. So, mixing the two together increases the likelihood of overdose on either substance.
While your body needs cholesterol to function, having too much cholesterol may contribute to health issues, including an increased risk of heart disease. Excessive drinking also can lead to heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), and stroke. Eventually, heavy alcohol use can leave the heart too weak to pump efficiently, a condition called congestive heart failure. Using alcohol with medications used to treat heartburn, both prescription and over-the-counter, can cause tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) and sudden changes in blood pressure.
If you have questions about consuming alcohol while taking Lipitor, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. One of the deadliest combinations is alcohol and narcotic pain medications. On their own, opioids can cause drowsiness, dizziness, slowed or impaired breathing, impaired motor control, abnormal behavior, and memory loss. Muscle relaxants and alcohol both suppress your central nervous system, which controls the functions of your heart, lungs, and brain.
Impact of Drinking Patterns and Types of Alcoholic Beverages on Risk
Before you start treatment for high cholesterol, your doctor will recommend the best plan for you. Before you start treatment with Lipitor, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. If you have questions about getting specific vaccines Types of Drug Addictions during your Lipitor treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.