Physicians often advise their patients to curtail or end their alcohol use while taking prescription medications. Does this apply to steroids or other anti-inflammatory meds? For example, can you drink alcohol while taking prednisone?
What is Prednisone?
Before we address the question, can you drink alcohol while taking prednisone, we should first review some fundamental facts about this drug.
Prednisone is a prescription medication that is classified as a corticosteroid. It may be administered in many ways, including orally, as a topical cream, via an inhaler, or by injection.
In the United States, prednisone is sold as a generic and under the brand name Deltasone. Other commonly prescribed corticosteroids include cortisone and hydrocortisone.
Drugs in the corticosteroid class are frequently prescribed to treat inflammation-related health concerns such as:
- Asthma
- Lupus
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Certain severe allergies
- Rashes and other skin problems
- Some types of cancer
- Kidney disorders
- Immune system dysfunction
Research indicates that prednisone can “switch off” certain genes that promote inflammation, while also activating anti-inflammatory genes.
While this medication can be extremely beneficial in certain situations, prednisone use has been linked with several side effects, including:
- Acne
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Headache
- Irregular heartbeat
- Hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar)
- Tingling in arms and legs
- Swelling in hands and feet
- Increased appetite
- Weight gain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Fatigue
- Disrupted sleep patterns
Prednisone’s can also cause psychological side effects such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Agitation and irritability
- Aggression
- Confusion
- Mood swings
- Hallucinations
- Suicidal ideation
According to a 2014 review in the Ochsner Journal, as many as 90% of patients who take steroids for 60 days or more are likely to experience some side effects. The risk of side effects may continue to increase the longer a person continues to take prednisone.
Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Prednisone?
Given the considerable power of corticosteroids and their high risk of adverse effects, it is understandable to wonder, can you drink alcohol while taking prednisone?
Most experts would say no, you should not drink while you’re on prednisone.
Some sources suggest that moderate alcohol use shouldn’t cause significant problems for people who are taking prednisone. However, as we’ll expand upon in the next section, drinking alcohol while on prednisone has been associated with a range of problematic outcomes.
To keep yourself as safe as possible, it’s best to stay away from alcohol when you’re taking prednisone.
Dangers of Drinking Alcohol While on Prednisone
In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, prednisone also has stimulant-like effects. This means that it speeds up the delivery of messages throughout the central nervous system (CNS).
Alcohol, on the other hand, is a depressant. This means that is slows the functioning of neurons and neurotransmitters in the CNS.
If you drink while you’re taking prednisone, the combination of the two substances can lead to a strengthening of their effects. This, in turn, can cause problems such as:
- Liver damage: Any alcohol use puts a strain on the liver. Over time, heavy drinking can lead to several types of liver damage, including steatosis (fatty liver), alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Prednisone can also be harmful to the liver. Exposing this vital organ to both drugs at the same time can have disastrous consequences.
- Gastrointestinal distress: Both prednisone and alcohol can cause irritations in the lining of the stomach and intestines. This damage can lead to tears, ulcers, bleeding, and abdominal pain. As with liver damage, the risk of serious harm can be magnified if you use both alcohol and prednisone.
- Immune system dysfunction: Alcohol use and its ramifications – such as deficient nutrition, poor sleep, and a reduction of “good bacteria” in your body – can prevent your immune system from functioning at full capacity. One of the ways that prednisone reduces inflammation is by suppressing the immune system. Together, these substances can significantly increase your risk of infections and delay your body’s ability to heal.
- Lower bone density: Researchers have linked heavy drinking with decreased bone density and an increased risk of fractures. As we reported earlier in this post, osteoporosis and broken bones are also among the potential adverse effects of prednisone use.
- Accidents and injuries: Though alcohol is a depressant, its initial effects can include increased energy and diminished inhibitions. Prednisone’s effects can include agitation, irritability, and aggressiveness. The combination of these effects, along with alcohol’s ability to impair a person’s judgment, can lead to fights, automobile accidents, and other sources of physical harm.
With so many possible negative outcomes, it’s clear why so many experts advise patients to avoid alcohol while they’re taking prednisone. Unfortunately, for some people, quitting drinking can be particularly difficult, regardless of the reason for doing so.
Being unable or unwilling to stop drinking while you’re on prednisone may indicate that you have developed alcohol use disorder (which is the clinical term for alcoholism).
Untreated alcoholism can be devastating — but when you get the help you need, you can learn to manage your urges and build a foundation for a healthier, alcohol-free future.
Contact Phoenix Rising to Safely Detox and Overcome Addiction
Phoenix Rising Recovery offers a full continuum of customized services for adults whose lives have been disrupted by compulsive alcohol abuse.
Your options at our alcohol rehab center in southern California include detoxification, residential care, a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and traditional outpatient services. We also offer detailed aftercare planning to ensure you’re connected with the resources that can support your continued recovery after you’ve transitioned out of our care.
To learn more about how Phoenix Rising Recovery can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.