Ibuprofen and Alcohol: What Are The Risks of Mixing Them?

Ibuprofen and alcohol both have their individual side effects and when combined, they can increase the risk of certain side effects. These include increasing your risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, liver damage, and heart problems. These risks are there for any NSAID, not just ibuprofen. There are no completely safe pain relievers to take with alcohol, but some options, like acetaminophen, may have different risk profiles.

What is Ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). [1]  Common brand names of ibuprofen include Advil, Midol, and Motrin. It is used to treat symptoms of headaches, toothaches, back pain, menstrual cramps, arthritis, and injury by reducing pain, lowering inflammation, and decreasing fevers

Ibuprofen Side Effects

While most people consider Ibuprofen a safe medication to take as it is readily available over the counter in most pharmacies, grocery stores, and gas stations, it does have the potential for side effects.

Common ibuprofen side effects include [2]

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Gas
• Bleeding
• Dizziness
• Headache

Rare but serious ibuprofen side effects include [3]

• Allergic Reaction: difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, hives, swelling in face or throat, general swelling, or rapid weight gain.
• Skin Allergic Reactions: fever, sore throat, burning eyes, changes in vision, skin pain, skin rash that can be purple or red, blisters, or peeling.
• Stomach Bleeding: bloody or tarry-looking stool, coughing up blood, vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
• Liver Problems: nausea, itching, fatigue, upper stomach pain, flu symptoms, loss of appetite, dark-colored urine, clay-colored stool, and jaundice.
• Kidney Problems: lack of urination, difficulties urinating, painful urination, swelling in feet and ankles, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
• Anemia: light-headed, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, difficulty concentrating, and pale skin.
• Heart attack or Stroke: chest pains (often radiating from the jaw or shoulder), abrupt numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, shortness of breath, and leg swelling.

While the above are rare side effects, they can be life-threatening to those who do experience them. If you or a loved one begins to experience any of the above serious side effects, call 911 or seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Risks of Taking Ibuprofen and Alcohol Together

You should not drink alcohol while you are taking ibuprofen. Drinking alcohol while taking ibuprofen increases your risk of certain health conditions.

Liver Damage

Using alcohol or ibuprofen on their own can cause liver damage. Combining them increases the risk of toxic hepatitis. Toxic hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver in reaction to a substance such as alcohol, medications, chemicals, or supplements.[4] Toxic hepatitis can develop quickly, or it can take months of regular use of the substance before symptoms are experienced. Toxic hepatitis symptoms are alleviated once the exposure to the toxin is stopped, but it can result in permanent damage to the liver, causing cirrhosis or liver failure.

Drinking too much alcohol over a long period can result in alcoholic hepatitis and lead to liver failure. Taking too many NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, or taking them for an extended period can lead to toxic hepatitis. When the liver cannot remove the toxins it has broken down, it can cause permanent damage to the liver. This is a significantly increased risk when alcohol and ibuprofen are taken together.

Kidney Problems

Both ibuprofen and alcohol can cause kidney damage on their own, and combining them increases the risk. NSAIDs affect how the kidneys function by limiting the production of an enzyme that helps to lower inflammation and pain. As a side effect, this limits how well the kidneys can function while ibuprofen is in your system. The kidneys work to filter out toxins in the body, including alcohol. When alcohol is in the body, the kidneys have to work to excrete the alcohol toxin.

When ibuprofen and alcohol are combined, the kidneys have a lowered functioning level but have to work extra to eliminate the alcohol. This puts a strain on the kidneys and can result in kidney damage. It is particularly risky for people who already have kidney problems or kidney disease.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding

People who regularly use ibuprofen are at a three- to fivefold increased risk of experiencing gastrointestinal bleeding or stomach ulcers.[5]  Gastrointestinal bleeding is internal bleeding in the intestinal tract. A stomach ulcer is a sore in the stomach lining or at the beginning of the small intestines.

Ibuprofen can cause stomach problems on its own. Alcohol increases the risk of GI bleeding and ulcers. Combining ibuprofen and alcohol increases the risk of stomach problems substantially more than either one does on its own.

Heart Problems

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has strengthened the warning that comes with taking NSAIDs regarding the risk factors for heart attack and stroke, even with the short-term use of a few weeks.[6] The risk increases with long-term use of ibuprofen and for those who already have heart disease.  Alcohol on its own is linked to heart problems such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, heart attack, and stroke.

Combining alcohol and ibuprofen increases the risk of experiencing heart problems, including heart attack and stroke, more so than either would on their own. If you already have heart problems or have a family history of heart problems, your healthcare provider may discourage you from using either alcohol or NSAIDs.

Avoiding Drinking Alcohol and Taking NSAIDs

If you regularly drink three or more alcoholic beverages a day and your doctor has prescribed ibuprofen, you must discuss with them the dangers and risks of taking ibuprofen with alcohol. They may encourage you to stop drinking while you need to take ibuprofen.

If you believe this may be difficult to do, they may also suggest an alcohol rehab that will help support you to reduce your drinking so that you can take ibuprofen to treat your symptoms. While most people think of ibuprofen and other NSAIDs as safe medications, taking them with alcohol increases the risk for severe health conditions and should be avoided.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ibuprofen and Alcohol