What Medications Should Not Be Mixed With Alcohol?
Unless you’ve been under a rock the past few months, you’ve heard about the death of Pop Icon Whitney Houston. Although the cause of death has not been officially determined, allegedly legal prescriptions and alcohol were found in her room the night of her death. And who can forget the death of actor Heath Ledger? Celebrities aren’t the only casualties of this. You may be putting your life at risk without even knowing it.
When do safe drugs turn deadly?
What Pills Are Dangerous To Mix With Alcohol
On today’s show, Doctor Oz is joined by Pharmacist, Nancy Nkansah, to discuss the deadly combinations of over-the-counter meds and alcohol.
Jessica, an audience member, told Dr Oz that she took anti-anxiety medication. She also enjoyed an occasional glass of wine. Before Whitney’s death, it never occurred to Jessica that it could be dangerous to mix her medication with a glass of wine.
Dangerous Medications to Mix with Alcohol
-Painkillers
-Cough meds
-Antihistamines
-80% of us take painkillers
-16% take antihistamines
-Always read the label and check with your doctor if you have questions
Almost all of the audience members have taken some form of over-the-counter medications in this last year.
Nancy Nkansah told Doctor Oz that 25% of ER visits were due to a combination of medication and alcohol. You don’t have to be a drug abuser. It can happen to anyone. Over the past 20 years, deaths related to drug and alcohol have increased 3000%.
Safe Way to Mix Alcohol and Medication
-When drinking, wait an hour or an hour and a half per drink before taking meds
-pay attention to your body. If you feel effects, don’t take meds
-take day dosing meds toward the end of the day
At the end of the segment, Jessica said she will re-think either taking her anxiety medication or eliminating wine altogether.
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