Prednisone & Alcohol: Can You Drink While Taking Steroid Medication?

Here you can focus fully on healing through therapy, counseling, and holistic activities. If you suspect you have a problem with alcohol, it’s best to get treatment as soon as possible. Alcohol exacerbates this by further compromising the immune system, turning what might be a mild illness into a serious medical emergency,” explained Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. Alcohol and prednisone can each irritate the digestive tract and cause peptic ulcers. Combining the two may be asking for trouble, especially if you’re already prone to indigestion or stomach upset.

Other medications that belong to the same class as prednisone are Beclomethasone, Dexamethasone, and Hydrocortisone. Join 40,000+ People Who Receive Our Newsletter Get valuable resources on addiction, recovery, wellness, and our treatments delivered directly to your inbox. Alcohol abuse and dependence are referred to as alcohol use disorder (AUD). They can also provide further medical treatment to ensure your optimal well-being. Prednisone can make weight gain possible because it affects how the body stores glycogen (carbs) in the liver. Alcohol holds empty calories, and excessive drinking can undermine calorie balance.

• Many who take them suffer from muscle dysmorphia, a mental disorder that causes them to believe that they are too small or weak, even if they are large and muscular.
• Remember, the information provided in this article is for general knowledge purposes and should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider.
• However, prednisone is known to affect metabolism — how the body breaks down food into energy.
• Those include impaired judgment, injuries, alcohol poisoning, and violence, according to the CDC.

Steroid-Based Medications (Corticosteroids)

Some research indicates that excessive alcohol might impair the long-term health benefits of taking statins. As well as reducing LDL cholesterol, these drugs also improve cardiovascular health by lowering the amounts of another subtype of fat in the blood called triglycerides. But because alcohol is surprisingly calorific, consuming too much of it can send triglycerides straight back up again. Remember that every individual’s reaction to prednisone and alcohol may differ. It’s important to follow precautions and recommendations provided by your healthcare provider while managing your condition effectively. Prednisone is available in various forms, including tablets, oral solution, and injections.

• Drinking alcohol while using steroids increases the chances of dangerous side effects.
• One of the most serious statin concerns is a very rare side effect called rhabdomyolysis, or the complete breakdown of muscle cells, which occurs in 0.01 per cent of users.
• Using both concomitantly would theoretically increase the risk of developing a major depressive disorder.
• It’s important to seek medical help if you, or a loved one, have a problem with alcohol and are taking prednisone.

Individuals on long-term corticosteroid therapy must discuss alcohol consumption with their healthcare provider and follow any specific guidelines or recommendations provided. What’s key to remember if you’re taking a GLP-1 drug is that drinking alcohol lowers blood sugar levels, according to the CDC. GLP-1 medications also do this, so combining the two could increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

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. In this article, we explore the side effects of prednisone and alcohol and if they might be safe to use together. Finally, if you’re someone who tends to snack more when you’re drinking, have a balanced meal along with your drink to keep your hunger in check, Smith says. And because research shows that alcohol can be dehydrating, switch to water or another nonalcoholic beverage after you have your drink.

Weight Loss

Exposure to measles or chickenpox can cause more severe infections in people taking steroids. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that affects various bodily functions. When consumed, it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, allowing it to reach every organ in the body. The liver plays a significant role in metabolizing alcohol, breaking it down into byproducts that can be eliminated from the body. It affects the liver, in a way that decreases the uptake and the availability of calcium in the body thereby leading to osteoporosis.

Here’s what the experts say about consuming wine, beer, and spirits while on weight loss drugs such as Wegovy or Ozempic. Once the underlying causes have been addressed, addiction treatment focuses on helping the individual develop healthy coping mechanisms. This may involve exploring different forms of exercise, learning stress management techniques, and creating a support system.

Anyone who takes prednisone and drinks alcohol regularly has a higher risk of developing an infection. People with existing stomach issues, such as heartburn, should avoid using prednisone and alcohol together. In general, a person’s doctor can best determine whether mixing prednisone with alcohol will be safe.

If you’re looking to lose weight and want to avoid the potential risks of drinking on a GLP-1, there are plenty of low-calorie beverage options you can try instead. Remember, the information provided in this article is for general knowledge purposes and should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. If you have any concerns or questions regarding the impact of alcohol on your specific circumstances while taking prednisone, consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance. In the next section, we will explore the specific interactions between prednisone and alcohol, including their effects on metabolism and the increased risk of side effects. Liver damage from prednisone and alcohol can lead to many problems, including jaundice, ascites, and encephalopathy.

Alcohol and substance abuse can be difficult to defeat on your own for a number of reasons. These substances can cause changes in the brain that make it difficult to break the habit. Additionally, withdrawal symptoms can be excruciating and may lead to relapse — especially if you’re trying to quit on your own. Excessive drug use can lead to mental health problems as well as social problems like family strife and unemployment. If you think someone is losing motivation, giving up their hobbies, or withdrawing from their social circles, they could be dealing with drug or alcohol abuse.

Levels of Care

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. In some cases, having the occasional glass or two of alcohol may be safe during treatment with low-dose prednisone.

Prednisone is a potent corticosteroid medication prescribed for various conditions. It mimics the effects of hormones naturally produced by your adrenal glands. If you’ve been prescribed steroid medication, and you’re having trouble cutting back on your alcohol use, there are new ways to find support. Our team offers expert medical consultation, weekly coaching sessions, anti-craving medications, and more—all through a smartphone app.

Combining steroid and alcohol use significantly increases the risks linked to either substance. There is no current research that shows that drinking small amounts of alcohol on a GLP-1 is dangerous, but there are potential risks involved if alcohol is consumed excessively. If you wish to have an occasional alcoholic beverage while taking a weight loss medication, speak with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian nutritionist for further guidance before you do. Zinnia Health offers addiction treatment options that include individual and group therapy and medication. If you or a loved one is struggling with steroid abuse or alcohol abuse, we can help.

Due to how alcohol is processed in the body, women and older adults are at higher risk for negative side effects from prednisone and alcohol. Alcohol might also worsen the underlying condition you are trying to manage. Intestinal inflammation, for example, is a common side effect of chronic alcohol use.

Adverse Effects of Combining Prednisone and Alcohol

“A beer or canned seltzer is an easy way to ensure the portion size is accurate, whereas wine may be more difficult to eyeball,” she says. Find a brighter tomorrow by starting with our compassionate team of medical professionals and recovery specialists today. It is always important to be aware of the potential dangers and make informed decisions regarding alcohol consumption while taking prednisone. Incidentally, alcohol does the same thing to your immune system, thus, taking both prednisone and alcohol could put your body at risk of infections that your body could have fought. Prolonged therapy with high doses of prednisone can suppress the immune system.

Alcohol introduces an additional burden by impairing liver function, disrupting immune responses, and irritating the stomach lining. Prednisone may cause bones to become thin and brittle, possibly contributing to the early onset of osteoporosis. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol for long periods while you take prednisone may increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Alcohol and Prednisone Addiction

If you are taking prednisone to treat a condition like inflammatory bowel disease, drinking alcohol might be counterproductive. Having more than one or two is it ok to drink alcohol while taking steroids alcoholic drinks per day while you take prednisone increases your risk of type 2 diabetes even further. Moderate alcohol use may be safe with prednisone, but both can weaken your immune system. Prednisone can also disrupt blood sugar levels, harm the digestive tract, and weaken bones, so it’s wise to be careful about interactions. The main concern about mixing steroids and alcohol is that alcohol can worsen the side effects of steroids. However, there is no clear answer to whether it is safe to drink alcohol while taking steroids.