How Alcohol with sedating medications Affects Your Medications
Do not drink alcohol while taking these medicines. Combining alcohol with opioids or benzodiazepines can be life-threatening.
This interaction is generally considered major in severity.
How It Happens
Alcohol adds to the sedating effect of these medicines, increasing drowsiness, impaired coordination, and — most seriously — the risk of slowed or stopped breathing.
What to Do
Do not drink alcohol while taking these medicines. Combining alcohol with opioids or benzodiazepines can be life-threatening.
Medication Classes Affected
Specific Medications to Watch
Benzodiazepine
Benzodiazepine
Benzodiazepine
Benzodiazepine
Sedative-hypnotic (Z-drug)
Gabapentinoid anticonvulsant
Gabapentinoid anticonvulsant
Opioid analgesic
Opioid analgesic
Opioid analgesic combination
Skeletal muscle relaxant
Serotonin antagonist/reuptake inhibitor
This information is educational — not medical advice.
This page is provided for general educational purposes and summarizes publicly available data from sources such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. It is not a substitute for the judgment of a licensed clinician and should not be used to start, stop, or change any medication. It may be incomplete or out of date, and individual circumstances vary. Always talk with your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific medications and health conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.