Is it OK to drink alcohol with Prednisone?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 22, 2022.

Although there is no direct drug interaction between prednisone and alcohol, mixing them together is not a good idea because some of the effects of alcohol and the side effects of prednisone are similar, so taking both at the same time can increase the risk of these side effects occurring.

Some of the possible side effects of prednisone that may be enhanced by alcohol include:

• Changes in blood sugar levels
• Damage to the stomach and GI tract (may result in stomach irritation or a peptic ulcer)
• Dehydration with electrolyte imbalances
• Development of diabetes type 2
• Immune system suppression
• Muscle weakness
• Mood changes
• High blood pressure
• Impaired wound healing
• Osteoporosis (weakening of the bones)
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Slower wound healing
• Suppression of the adrenal glands
• Weight gain.

The risk of side effects increases with the dose and duration of prednisone treatment. Higher doses and longer durations of prednisone increase the risk for side effects. Whether it is safe to drink alcohol while on prednisone depends on the dosage of the medication, the length of the course of treatment, how frequently a person uses alcohol, and other conditions the person may have. In some cases, having the occasional glass or two of alcohol may be safe during treatment with low-dose prednisone. Talk to your doctor about using alcohol with prednisone. The FDA does not warn against drinking while on prednisone. And for many, drinking alcohol in moderation while taking prednisolone could be considered safe. However, drinking while on prednisone may carry heightened risks for some based on prednisone’s effect on lowering the immune system and the side effects of alcohol use. Abstaining from drinking alcohol while on prednisone treatment is always the best option. Excessive and regular alcohol consumption is not recommended.

Prednisone is a corticosteroid, and it is used to reduce inflammation or suppress the immune system. It is used to treat many different diseases, and the range of dosing is wide. Some diseases require just a short duration of treatment with prednisone, while others may require a person to take it for longer periods of time or take repeated short courses.

References

1. U.S. National Library of Medicine DailyMed. Prednisone. Available at: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3115aef0-fd50-4ec8-a064-3effb695f3f2. [Accessed August 22,2022].
2. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Harmful Interactions. Available at: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/harmful-interactions-mixing-alcohol-with-medicines. [Accessed August 22, 2022].
3. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Alcohol’s Effects on the Body. Available at: https://www. niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohols-effects-body. [Accessed August 22, 2022].
4. Willans K and Coy A. Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Prednisone? Updated August 16, 2022. Addiction Group. https://www.addictiongroup.org/drugs/other/prednisone-alcohol/ [Accessed August 22, 2022].

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Medical Disclaimer

Are they safe to take together?

It may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions to drink alcohol while taking prednisone. Prednisone can affect metabolism, and this could influence the effect of alcohol on the body.

Prednisone is a synthetic form of an adrenocortical steroid that healthcare professionals prescribe to treat several different conditions. It can help balance hormones in people whose adrenal glands do not produce enough corticosteroids.

Prednisone belongs to the corticosteroid class of medications. These are powerful anti-inflammatories and can help treat diseases that cause inflammation, such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and arthritis. Prednisone reduces inflammation by altering the function of the immune system.

In this article, we explore the side effects of prednisone and alcohol and if they might be safe to use together.

Share on PinterestA person should speak to a doctor before drinking alcohol when taking prednisone.

The package label for prednisone does not indicate a direct interaction between alcohol and prednisone, and clinical studies on the safety of drinking alcohol while taking prednisone are lacking.

However, prednisone is known to affect metabolism — how the body breaks down food into energy. The body converts prednisone to prednisolone, which the liver then metabolizes before a person excretes in the urine. Because the liver also metabolizes alcohol, it is possible prednisone may change the effects of alcohol on the body. Alternatively, alcohol may alter the way the body metabolizes prednisone.

The question of whether you can drink on steroids, or particularly prednisone, could depend on several factors, including:

• how large the dosage of prednisone is
• whether it is a short- or long-term course of treatment
• how much alcohol the person drinks
• medical conditions the person has

In general, a person’s doctor can best determine whether mixing prednisone with alcohol will be safe.

Potential risks of using alcohol and prednisone together include:

Gastrointestinal problems

Prednisone can increase the risk of gastrointestinal disturbance, such as an upset stomach. Long-term use of alcohol causes inflammation of the stomach lining, which can lead to stomach ulcers, heartburn, and malnutrition.

People with existing stomach issues, such as heartburn, should avoid using prednisone and alcohol together.

Weakened immune system

Prednisone weakens the immune system, which can make people more vulnerable to infections. This means someone taking prednisone may have more trouble than they usually would fighting off diseases. Exposure to measles or chickenpox can cause more severe infections in people taking steroids.

Alcohol also weakens the immune system, and chronic alcohol use can make it easier for people to become ill with pneumonia or tuberculosis. Anyone who takes prednisone and drinks alcohol regularly has a higher risk of developing an infection.

Weight gain

While multiple factors are involved, research suggests that alcohol intake can lead to weight gain in some people. Weight gain is also a possible side effect of prednisone.

Brittle bones

Long-term prednisone use can make the bones weaker and more brittle, leading to osteoporosis. Alcohol use is also a risk factor for osteoporosis due to the loss of nutrients necessary for bone growth.

Blood sugar changes

Alcohol can cause blood sugar levels to drop, which can be problematic for a person with diabetes. People with diabetes also need to be aware that alcohol can cause inflammation of the pancreas and lead to complications.

Prednisone can increase blood sugar levels. Anyone with diabetes who is taking prednisone may require more insulin or medication to lower their blood sugar.

There are several precautions to follow while taking prednisone:

• Take prednisone with food to prevent stomach upset.
• Consult a doctor before taking prednisone while pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Speak with a doctor before receiving vaccinations while on prednisone.
• Do not stop a dosage of prednisone unless a doctor advises it.
• Ask a doctor about potassium or calcium supplements.
• Eat healthful, well-balanced meals to maintain weight and control blood sugar.
• Avoid stimulants, such as caffeine, because these can worsen insomnia, a side effect of prednisone.

Whether it is safe to drink alcohol while on prednisone depends on the dosage of the medication, the length of the course of treatment, how frequently a person uses alcohol, and other conditions the person may have. These conditions may include gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders, osteoporosis, osteopenia, and diabetes.

A person taking prednisone may want to avoid alcohol until they finish the treatment.

Alcohol can worsen some side effects of prednisone, such as immune system suppression, bone weakening, and weight gain. It is best to speak with a doctor to avoid serious complications.

Pfizer drug Medrol (Methylprednisolone) 16 mg – “A strong and effective drug, without which it’s impossible, but it’s hard with it” pressure, constant weakness, vomiting and other unpleasant symptoms.

Protein in the urine, hypoalbunemia, elevated C-reactive protein, hyaline casts and fluid in the pleural cavity. After long trips to the doctors and trying to make a diagnosis, I was finally admitted to the hospital.

Diagnosis at discharge: Chronic glomerulonephritis with nephrotic syndrome. Suspicion of lupus erythematosus. A very serious autoimmune disease. This disease is serious and it is impossible to cure it, you can only go into long-term remission, or slow down the death of the kidneys with various drugs.

Medrol is a methylprednisolone that suppresses the immune system and has an anti-inflammatory effect. It’s a hormone, so it causes a lot of side effects. Very unpleasant, but there is no choice and you have to take pills. If the doctor has prescribed, then there is no need to look for alternatives in traditional or any other medicine, since many diseases for which the drug is prescribed are very serious and neglecting the doctor’s prescription can lead to severe consequences, even death.

In the hospital for a month I was brought to a more or less alive appearance, discharged and prescribed to drink Medrol for at least 2 months. At the time of writing this review, I have been taking this drug for exactly 40 days at 48 mg per day (the largest dosage according to the instructions).

Price and rules of administration: the medicine is expensive, 20 TB of 32 mg costs 800 rubles, 50 TB of 16 mg costs about the same. For a month you need 3 packs, we get 2400r. Medrol must be taken with additional medicines that will reduce the chance of side effects. These are Omeprazole and Calcium D3. Omeprazole will save you from stomach ulcers, and Calcium D3 will reduce the likelihood of bone fractures and seizures, since calcium is very quickly washed out of the body when taking methylprednisolone.

It is correct to take medicines in the morning with meals at the same time every day, this will help to avoid dysfunction of the adrenal cortex. I have breakfast with oatmeal, it envelops the stomach and prevents Medrol from damaging the walls of the stomach. It is better to drink tablets with milk, kefir or viscous jelly, as they are very bitter and leave a long aftertaste that you want to chew.

Did it help? But, the tests also remained bad, which is not uncommon with this disease.

Side effects: Before taking the pills, I read a lot of reviews, including on this resource, in which there were a lot of terrible side effects. The doctor at the hospital explained to me in detail about the side effect in the form of increased appetite and told me to eat cabbage and vegetables in moments of zhor so as not to gain excess weight. But, this side effect bypassed me and I am glad of this fact. For a month with a little taking this drug, I did not gain a single kg, and even lost weight.

On the 13th-15th day of taking it, pimples began to appear on my face, which I did not attach much importance to, since my skin is problematic and rashes periodically appear, not without it. But after a couple of days it became clear that it was something else. It was the real severe acne that I still struggle with. The pores on the face, shoulders, back and chest filled with pus and became inflamed. The entire chest and back were covered with inflamed pustules and papules. For clarity, I attach a photo of the skin, not in the worst condition, already treated with various rubbing.

Another side effect, , is cramps in the fingers and toes . The phenomenon is unpleasant, the fingers begin to reduce at the slightest physical exertion. Once even reduced the calf muscle and I almost fell on the street on the asphalt. Another unpleasant side effect was stretch marks on the stomach and chest, which began to grow to the sides.

A common side effect is that the fat begins to redistribute and accumulate in the cheeks, on the neck. This does not bypass me either, it happens slowly, but the cheeks increase in size every day and soon I will look like a hamster.

That’s all for now, no more side effects. Whether I recommend this medicine, I can not say, as it is prescribed by a doctor. If the doctor prescribed this drug, then everything is serious and should not be neglected.

I’ll update my review in a couple of months.

Methylprednisolone instructions, price in pharmacies of Ukraine

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• Methylprednisolone: ​​4 mg/tablet (1)
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Creation date: 04/27/2021
Update date: 06/16/2023

Stock and distribution form

Available in tablets of 0. 004 g (4 mg), 0.016 g (16 mg), 0.032 g (32 mg) and 0.1 g (100 mg).

1 tablet methyl prednisolone 4 mg or 8 mg;

Additional words: lactose (tabletose), corn/potato starch, sodium starch glycolate (type A), magnesium stearate, silicon coloid.

Pharmacological action:

Analogue of prednisolone. For activity close to prednisolone, but practically does not have mineralocorticoid (sodium zatrimu) activity, which ensures better tolerance. Vіn povіlno vmoktuєtsya with vnutrіshnyom’yazovom vіdnіnі і to rob greater trivalіy effekt, іnіzh hydrocortisone i prednіsolone.

Indications before congestion:

Colagenosis (generally called ailment, which is characterized by diffuse lesions of the healthy tissues of the vessels), rheumatism, infectious non-specific polyarthritis (inflammation of the x suglobiv), bronchial asthma, hostria lymphoblastic and myeloblastic leukemia (malicious blood swell, vinicle with hematopoietic cells of the cystic brain), infectious mononucleosis (hostra viral infection, which occurs with a high temperature drop, increased subcutaneous lymph nodes, liver), neurodermatitis (illness of the iri, associated with impaired functions of the central nervous system), eczema (neuroallergic infection of the skin, which characterized by weeping, itchy) and other skin infections, various allergic diseases, Addison’s ailment (decreased function of supra-nural ulcers), acute measles deficiency of supra-niparian ulcers, hemolytic anemia trotsitiv in the blood), glomerulonephritis (sickness), hostile pancreatitis (inflamed subshlunkovoi zloza), shock and collapse (cutting the fall of arterial pressure) during surgical insertion; for strangulation of the reaction of organ and tissue in homotransplantation of organs and tissues (transplantation of organs or tissues of one person in another).

Injection method:

In case of bronchial asthma, administer in the middle, starting at 12-40 mg per dose; podtremuyucha dose – 4-12 mg per dose. In case of chronic polyarthritis (scorched deciles of globules), it is prescribed, starting from 6-20 mg per doba. In case of rheumatism, start with doses of 0.8-1.5 mg/kg, then step by step decrease.
Fallow in case of illness, increase the dose to an average of 0.004-0.048 g of methylprednisolone. High doses may be prescribed for rosaceous sclerosis (systemic disease of the membranes of the nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord) – up to 0.2 g / day, swelling of the brain – 0.2 g / day, transplantation (transplantation) of organs – up to 0.007 g / day. As soon as the preparation was stopped, it was carried out step by step. Doses are selected individually. With a trivalent treatment (to reach the effect of the drug with a minimum of side effects), it is possible to take (receipt) a dose every other day, equal to the double additional dose.