The main types were blood pressure medications, sleeping pills, pain medications, muscle relaxers, diabetes and cholesterol medications, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. This is not all the information you need to know about alcohol drug interactions with blood pressure or heart medicines and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Discuss any medical questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider. However, many people aren’t aware of these risks, even if they are written on the medication label. Weight gain will raise your chance of getting high blood pressure.

Drinking Beer While On Blood Pressure Medication

Having said that, it is usually OK with many drugs to consume alcohol in moderation. The main things you want to avoid are combinations that cause excess drowsiness or could cause problems with the liver. Side effects that may occur when heart medicines are Sobriety consumed with alcohol can include dizziness, a fast heart rate, fainting, drowsiness or a dangerous fall.

Health Conditions

It may affect the level of the medicine in the body or cause more side effects. The study authors noted this association was not seen in people who drank frequently but not heavily. Ultimately, if you value your cardiovascular well-being, consider how alcohol fits into your broader health picture.

Alcohol’s Effect on High Blood Pressure Medicine

One of the risks of mixing blood pressure medication and alcohol is increasing the intensity of these effects, especially if alcohol is misused chronically over time. However, there were far fewer studies that focus on African Americans for the researchers to review, and more research may be needed. In one study, researchers reported that out of roughly 17,000 drinkers, heart medications were the drug class with the highest percentage of possible alcohol interactions, at about 24 percent.

Many at Risk for Alcohol-Medication Interactions

Misuse of blood pressure medication, alcohol, or other drugs poses a risk of physical and psychological consequences. Combining blood pressure medication and alcohol can be related to the following. Studies have shown that a good percentage of people who drink alcohol also smoke, which can raise blood pressure as well. “Those who drink heavily are three times as likely to be hypertensive” as those who abstain. If you intend to drink alcohol while taking blood pressure medication, it’s a good idea to discuss appropriate timing with your doctor, especially if you take more than one drug. Possible Blood Pressure SpikeFollowing heavy consumption, individuals might notice an uptick in heart rate and BP.

• That means the top number of their blood pressure reading (systolic blood pressure) is higher than 120 mmHg.
• These include nausea and vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, fainting, and loss of coordination.
• For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.
• “Those who drink heavily are three times as likely to be hypertensive” as those who abstain.
• While anyone can experience the side effects of mixing alcohol and blood pressure medicine, some are more at risk for negative outcomes.

But if it’s not treated, hypertension can damage your arteries and significantly increase your risk of serious consequences, like heart attack and stroke. Assessing the risks and benefits of alcohol consumption remains an active area of research that may lead to major changes in official guidelines or warning labels. And not so long ago there was general consensus that drinking in moderation also came with health advantages, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Additionally, it is effective in treating high blood pressure (hypertension). For those with hypertension, taking verapamil can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease, experiencing heart attacks, and having strokes. If your health benefits include Express Scripts® Pharmacy, you can reach out to our specially trained pharmacists 24/7.

• If you’re worried about your or a loved one’s drinking habits, screening questionnaires like CAGE or AUDIT can help clarify the severity of alcohol use patterns and link them to possible health consequences.
• Benadryl is a commonly used medicine for allergies that is available over the counter and with a prescription.
• Older adults — drinkers, nondrinkers, it doesn’t matter — are already at risk for hypertension.
• “Being sedentary — meaning you’re not physically active — can increase blood pressure,” Dr. Laffin warns.
• They are often recommended to manage irregular heartbeats, relieve angina, and assist in reducing blood pressure.
• Losing excess weight decreases pressure on the heart, improves blood flow, and reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases by a great extent.

Can drinking raise my blood pressure?

• Lisinopril (Qbrelis, Zestril, Prinivil) is a common ACE inhibitor.
• This can make medication side effects worse or lower the effectiveness of your medicine.
• Despite this, less than half of the US public is aware of any alcohol-cancer connection.
• Make sure to inform your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant, are currently pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• The DASH diet — which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension — was created specifically to lower blood pressure.

Doctors may also bp alcohol recommend verapamil for individuals suffering from cluster headaches, as it can help decrease the frequency of these headaches. Verapamil is available only with a prescription and can be found in tablet form or as a liquid to swallow. Sometimes, it may be administered via injection, typically in a hospital setting. Tell emergency responders all medication a person who has overdosed takes, as well as any other substances they have used.