Is it dangerous to mix ibuprofen (Advil) with alcohol?

Question

I don't see any warnings to indicate this, but it just seems like it would be an overload on the liver in one day. Health care professionals, is this true? How much alcohol (roughly) can safely be consumed with 600 mg of Advil?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Taking Ibuprofen imposes risk of gastrointestinal (GI)irritation and bleeding. Alcohol could increase the risk GI irritation and bleeding as well. For optimum precaution when taking Ibuprofen, avoid alcoholic drinks - that would be the best choice. Consuming 3 alcoholic beverages/day may increase the risk of GI bleeding. Ibuprofen prevents the body from getting rid of water and salt so indeed it is already a "burden" not only to the liver but kidneys as well.

Source(s):

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/drugs/ibuprofe…

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Most of these answers seemed to indicate only that long term use of both advil and alcohol would be bad, I was just wondering about one night.

Answer 2

On the box it says you shouldnt take advil if you consume more than three alcoholic drinks a day. And its because it can cause stomach bleeding.

Answer 3

You should avoid alcohol if you take any OTC pain reliever. The following is from the FDA's website and it explains it in detail:

"The Food and Drug Administration announced today that all over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and fever reducers must carry a warning label advising people who consume three or more alcoholic drinks every day to consult their doctors before using these drugs.
This announcement is based on a final rule, which is on display today in the Federal Register, requiring manufacturers to add this warning to the labeling within six months for OTC products and combination products intended for adult use that contain aspirin, other salicylates, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or ketoprofen.

FDA is issuing this final rule after considering public comments and data on the effect of combining chronic alcohol ingestion and the use of various OTC analgesics. The action also follows the recommendations of the Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee and the Arthritis Drugs Advisory Committee which concluded that chronic alcohol users should be warned that they may be at an increased risk of liver damage or stomach bleeding from use of these drugs.

Today's comprehensive action provides for an alcohol warning on all OTC pain relievers and fever reducers intended for adult use and may help prevent serious side effects in people who consume three or more alcoholic drinks every day.

The specific warnings concerning "liver damage" and "stomach bleeding" are being required because the agency believes that consumers with a history of chronic alcohol use need to know the potential risk that use of OTC analgesic and antipyretic (fever reducing) drug products may pose to them.

"Consumers need to know that chronic use of alcohol while taking pain relievers or fever reducers can be hazardous to their health. FDA urges people with a history of alcohol use to seek a doctor's advice about their risk of side effects before taking these medications," said Dr. Michael A. Friedman, Acting FDA Commissioner.

FDA's final rule, includes the following specific warnings:


Acetaminophen: "Alcohol Warning: If you consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day, ask your doctor whether you should take acetaminophen or other pain relievers/fever reducers. Acetaminophen may cause liver damage."
Aspirin, carbaspirin calcium, choline salicylate, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, magnesium salicylate, naproxen sodium and sodium salicylate: "Alcohol Warning: If you consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day, ask your doctor whether you should take [ingredient] or other pain relievers/fever reducers. [Ingredient] may cause stomach bleeding."

Combination of acetaminophen with other analgesic/antipyretic ingredients: "Alcohol Warning" "If you consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day, ask your doctor whether you should take [insert ingredients] or other pain relievers/fever reducers. [Insert ingredients] may cause liver damage and stomach bleeding."

Source(s):

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/NEW00…

Answer 4

yes, none can be consumed safely in combination with advil. The results are totally dependent upon your personal chemistry.

Answer 5

To answer your question in 20 words or less: Yes, and consume no more than 2 drinks a day.