Beta-blockers may not work the same way once you drink alcohol. Those who drink and use beta-blockers should talk to their doctor about the hazards and advantages of the medicine.Â
Occasionally, they might have to give up drinking. Beta-blockers may not work as well or have more side effects if you drink alcohol.Â
While there aren’t many studies on this topic, the side effects of beta-blockers and alcohol imply that people must be cautious when having them both simultaneously. Continue to learn more about the pros and cons of having alcohol and beta-blockers together.
What Are Beta Blockers?
Beta-blockers are medicines that doctors typically provide to people with cardiac issues. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared them to manage preventing migraines, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, hyperthyroidism, congestive heart failure, glaucoma, cardiac arrhythmias, high blood pressure, and other illnesses.
Beta-blockers stop the impacts of epinephrine. It makes your heart beat slower and pump less rapidly. Since your heart fails to function as much, your blood pressure drops; due to this, folks with high blood pressure are more likely to have them.
Furthermore, beta-blockers calm your blood vessels by cause. This helps your heart pump blood into the blood vessels better. Therefore, they’re used for managing an array of cardiac conditions. Your doctor could give you one of these beta-blockers:
- Inderal (Propranolol)
- Carvedilol (Coreg)
- Tenormin (Atenolol)
- Bystolic (Nebivolol)
- Brevibloc (Esmolol)
- Zebeta (Bisoprolol)
- Lopressor (Metoprolol)
Can You Take Beta-Blockers And Alcohol?
Pairing booze and beta-blockers leads to nasty and even hazardous effects. The impacts rely on the kind of beta-blocker, how much alcohol someone drinks, and what illness they use it for.
For instance, alcohol causes the extended-release metoprolol to be less effective. While this drug is mixed with booze, it goes into the body quicker, making side effects possible. In one lab research on metoprolol, experts studied how the beta-blocker reacted with alcohol.Â
At 2 hours, they determined that the medicine unleashed 89% of the drug once 40% alcohol was included; however, only 17% when only 5% alcohol was added. It indicates that highly potent drinks can alter how the drug operates.
Few studies examined the use of beta-blockers to safeguard people who drink from getting cardiac issues. For instance, a case from a 2019 research discusses the scenario of a 75-year-old person with atrial fibrillation. Before drinking, doctors gave beta-blockers to stop atrial fibrillation, and the medication helped.
So, beta-blockers may prove helpful to individuals who drink, but with a doctor’s help. Some new studies looked at beta-blockers in those who drink. Much older research from 1990 revealed that metoprolol maintained blood pressure in 8 male drinkers.Â
But since the research is old and has a small group size, the findings are unclear. Experts continue digging into the connection between booze and beta-blockers.
How Soon After Having Beta-Blockers Can You Have Alcohol? Â Â
Before you consume alcohol, discussing it with your doctor if you’re using beta-blockers is essential. Usually, you should wait a minimum of two to three days after taking medicine to see how it changes your body. This is additionally suggested when the dose shifts.
What Are The Effects And Risks Of Taking Beta-Blockers And Alcohol?
Not enough research has been done lately on how beta-blockers can impact someone who’s drinking. Therefore, skilled don’t know how different amounts of alcohol can affect various beta-blockers.
Overall, alcohol can make beta-blockers less efficient, likely by altering how they get into the body or the way the body processes them down.
Alcohol, mainly if you drink a lot of it, may cause hypertension, heartbeat problems, and chronic medical conditions like high cholesterol, which increase your chance of heart disease.Â
Someone with a heart problem who takes a beta-blocker can receive less help when they drink plenty of alcohol and get drunk.
Alcohol can increase the likelihood of some beta-blocker effects, especially when it lets the body metabolize an extended-release formula quicker. Specific effects of beta-blockers include:
- Low Blood Pressure
- Faintness
- Sleep Problems
- NauseaÂ
- Difficulties BreathingÂ
- Feeling ChillyÂ
- DisorientationÂ
Besides making beta-blockers less efficient, drinking can make it more probable that these drugs have adverse effects. These involve heart failure and blocked arteries that get worse.
Individuals with hyperthyroidism can get a thyroid storm if they quit using beta-blockers suddenly. A thyroid storm makes it tricky for the body to control numerous systems, so it’s a medical emergency. People shouldn’t stop taking beta-blockers because they can drink.
Additionally, someone who drinks and fears adverse effects should call a doctor yet continue using the beta-blocker. Most of the time, the possibility of swiftly stopping beta-blockers is greater than the chance of enjoying a drink or two while on these drugs.
But What About Additional Drugs?
Beta-blockers and alcohol aren’t ideal, but these medicines may combine with other drugs you take. Before taking beta-blockers, it’s essential to tell your doctor about any additional medication or herbal products you are currently taking.Â
Some drugs can lessen or enhance the way beta-blockers work. For example, beta-blockers can effectively work if you use other medicines to manage high blood pressure. Beta-blockers may interact with allergy shots, some antidepressants, and diabetes drugs.
 Medicines for chronic bronchitis, asthma, COPD, or emphysema could alter how well beta-blockers work. Also, if you take beta-blockers, you should avoid over-the-counter cold and cough drugs, antacids with aluminum, and antihistamines.
When To Seek Medical Treatment
Follow your doctor’s advice when having beta-blockers. You shouldn’t discontinue the medicine before talking to your doctor. People with hyperthyroidism can suddenly develop conditions like a thyroid storm when they quit beta-blockers.
A thyroid storm is an emergency when the body can’t balance all its functions. Never cut off your prescribed medications so that you can drink. When you mix beta-blockers with alcohol and get significant complications, you must visit a doctor but remain on the beta-blocker.Â
Most of the time, discontinuing beta-blockers is riskier than drinking one or two alcoholic drinks. The most effective method to assist is to comply with your doctor’s advice. When you suffer from these symptoms while drinking alcohol with a beta-blocker, dial 911 or get medical help immediately:
- Your heartbeat quickens.
- You faint and worry you could hurt yourself or hit your head.
- You’re too sick to get up.
Conclusion
Your blood pressure may decline if you drink booze while using a beta-blocker. A significant decline can make you pass out and even hurt yourself.
Also, drinking booze can worsen your problem with a beta-blocker. If you’re using a beta-blocker, it’s advised not to drink booze, but when you do, consult your doctor if you have problems.
I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.
