Don't Mix Meds and Alcohol

The effects of alcohol can change as you age, causing problems when combined with some medications.

For example:

• Combining alcohol with aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
• Antihistamines taken for allergies can make you quite drowsy if combined with alcohol.
• Drinking alcohol while taking acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) can damage the liver.
• Drinking alcohol while taking medications that already contain alcohol, such as laxatives or cough syrups, increases the alcohol in your system.
• Alcohol should never be taken with anxiety/depression drugs or sleep medication. The consequences could be deadly.