You may think nothing of reaching for a couple of headache pills to relieve that pounding head after a tough day at the office, then sitting down with a glass or two of wine.
But new research is pointing to the fact that an irresponsible combination of painkillers and alcohol could have dire health consequences. When taken as directed, pain medications are generally considered safe, according to the website consumeraffairs.com.
But problems arise when they are taken more frequently or in larger doses than recommended or taken in combination with other drugs - including alcohol.
"It's a matter of being sensible and responsible when you are self-medicating," says Maureen Kirkman, head of scientific and regulatory affairs for the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Association of South Africa.
"Consumers should read the label on the medication as well as the package insert and observe any contra-indications. Medication should be taken for the right indication, in the correct dosage and in the correct frequency.
"Many medications warn that if the product is taken with alcohol, there could be adverse reactions. Mixing alcohol with medicine is never a good idea."
The director of Sanca in Durban, Carol du Toit, says her organisation sees many people who abuse alcohol and painkillers together.
Du Toit says that while some people suffer from no ill effect from the occasional use of alcohol and painkillers, others set themselves up for addiction.
"If you take this combination on a regular basis and are finding it difficult to stop, or if you feel discomfort when you stop, you should talk to a professional," she says.
The May issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter recommends you consider these factors before deciding if it's safe to drink an alcoholic beverage while taking pain medication.
- Do you take pain relievers or drink alcohol often? The risk of side effects from combining pain relievers and alcohol is greater if you take medication frequently or drink alcohol frequently.
- Do you take high doses of pain medication? The risk of serious side effects from alcohol use increases when you take a high dose of a pain reliever.
- Does the medication cause side effects? If you're already experiencing side effects from pain medication, such as stomach upset or drowsiness, alcohol will only make these side effects worse.
- What's your age? People over age 65 are at increased risk of adverse side effects from pain relievers. Plus, with age, your body processes alcohol more slowly, prolonging its effects.
- Can you stop at one drink? It's probably best to avoid alcohol altogether if you have difficulty stopping after one drink. The more you drink, the greater the risk.
Being cautious doesn't necessarily mean you can never have alcohol while you take pain medication, the publication said.
The amount you can safely drink varies. For example, the Food and Drug Administration reports adults who take more acetaminophen than recommended - more than 4 000 milligrams a day (eight 500-milligram tablets) - and who drink three or more alcoholic drinks a day may be at increased risk of liver damage.
The best advice is caution. Because prescription pain relievers contain more potent medication than non-prescription pain relievers do, it's generally recommended that you avoid alcohol when taking prescription pain medication.
- The South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence can be reached on 031 303 2202.