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Questions

Can i drink alcohol with my drugs.

Asked by abannister

8 May 2012

i am on 10mg methotrexate, naproxen and tramadol. i dont want to drink until i fall over but a G&T at the weekend would be nice. not had anything since christmas.

Answer this question See 20 answers

20 answers

TildaT

8 May 2012

I don't know really - I let things slide recently (on a higher dose than you of MTX mind) and had a few drinks and lo and behold my liver function tests all rose once again so I haven't touched a drop since. My GP felt that this was more to do with the rise in dose but I'm not so sure seems too much of a coincidence to me. Many here do have the odd glass of wine or G&T but I have now decided that I need the drugs to work more than I need to drink and you only get one liver - Methotrexate is an enemy to livers so not worth the risk but it's up to you entirely there are no hard and fast rules regarding the odd drink. TTx

mazza59

8 May 2012

I am also on MTX & Naproxen and was told I not to drink alcohol.
www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLM-Are...
According to the above link its ok to have an odd drink.
Personally I would'nt.

helixhelix

8 May 2012

when we've discussed this previously it seems to come down to being sensible and personal choice. It's clear that MTX and alcohol is not a recommended combination, but others drugs are less sensitive. And for some people a glass here and there is more important. Generally I don't drink now at all, as I've only got one liver & hope to need it for many years to come. But I deliberately chose Tuesday as my MTX night so that Saturday night would be the furthest away. So on special occassions I do have a drink then (but only one), and because it's special I really enjoy it. Polly

paulywoo

8 May 2012

I personally have decided to give up alcohol to give my body the best possible chance of tolerating the mtx. To be honest over the past year I've become virtually tea total anyway as I find alcohol makes my pain much worse in the days after I've had a few drinks. I do hope to be able to have a glass of wine on special occasions like birthdays or Christmas and from what I've read that is ok as long as you stay well within safe alcohol limits. Just be careful with measures too as a pub measure is much smaller than most people pour at home. Best of luck with your treatment.
Paula x

Beth58

8 May 2012

Hi
I'm on Leflunomide and Naproxen, I allow myself no more than 2 glasses of wine diluted down with coke or lemonade.
When on MTX I was told by the consultant I could drink moderately and sensibly, however, I did find it affected my mental health and I felt really down and in pain in the days afterwards, though if I'm honest my partner at the time and I did drink far to much (2 or 3 bottles of wine).

So if you must drink, drink sensibly and in moderation is what's recommended.
Beth xx

Phoebe

8 May 2012

When I asked my consultant: "Can I still drink red wine sometimes?", she said as often as I liked, as long as it was small amounts. The worst thing to do would be to avoid alcohol all week then have a load at the weekend.
So maybe an occasional G&T will be fine, but a whole bottle on a Saturday night? Er NO!
I tend to have a red wine after a meal, my theory being that the food slows it down? And my liver results (AST and ALT) have always been normal. My MTX blood book says they need to stay below 40. And mine have never been above 25.
Hope this helps.

CaroleHe

8 May 2012

When I started MTX My consultant told me that I could drink 12 to 14 units a week, but not all at once!

Carole x

CptJen

8 May 2012

Hello,

As everyone has said it's advisable to avoid but after 6 months of t-totalism and no improvement I felt bloody miserable! I once heard you should only ever drink to feel even better not to feel better - see the difference.

It's a really hard one and totally down to personal choice, my GP told me I could have the same weekly allowance as anyone else but just not all in one go and wine preferable to spirits.

I am still drinking and get my liver and kidney functions checked fortnightly, it's maybe not the best attitude to have but we're not supposed to do so much, just do what makes you comfortable.

Don't punish yourself! x

TildaT

8 May 2012

CptJen I know that when I had quite a lot of bubbly on Easter Sunday and then was told to raise my dose of MTX on the Tuesday straight after I drank because I was so sick of my situation and just wanted some oblivion - which I've never done in my life before apart from perhaps as a teen when in unrequited love!

And your description of 6 months of t-totalism and still being in pain and feeling horrible from the MTX was the thing that drove me that day and also for the sociable g&ts I had while away with friends a few days afterwards. But having read Cathie's recent experience and her tale that the liver specialists dislike MTX I now feel very sobered and if I need to let my hair down I'll find another way such as dancing to loud music or going for a good stomp with my ipod. And if by chance my ankles or knees say no to this then I'll just have to use my upper body to wave at clouds! Or get my sons to help me grow some recreational weeds? TTx

CptJen

8 May 2012

Thanks Tilda, it's just so hard, I just want some normality in being able to do the same things my friends do

I know everyone is right, have a week of West Highland air planned for next week, think I may offer to be designated driver of the convertible - because we just know it'll be sunny!

Weeds indeed, imagine they are on the naughty list too.

Much love xx

summer Volunteer

8 May 2012

The ocasional glass preferably with food is ok but it is personal choice.. im sure however if you read the warning label on your tramadol it will read as follows.... blah.. blahh "do not drink alcohol" that is the official warning and your answer,If patients say this is a problem the answer given is the first quoted!
Methotrexate is a hepatoxic drug as covered in some recent learning of my mine on liver diease!, so alcohol will increase its toxicity x
These are hard facts, the choices are purely individual my alt is 12.. alt is a measure if liver function.. 12 is good and I like to keep it that way x
I have the occasional small wine , no spirits x

abannister

8 May 2012

Thank you all for your replies, i did not drink much usually anyway. so i will treat as a luxury and have a wee one on a special occasion. it seems to me spirits are out so i will go onto my next fav drink, champagne. so will def be very few and far between bottles. and only when someone else can drink the rest of it.

i only have had 1 blood test to test liver function and not had results yet, so i will wait a while longer.

loving this site and the support from everyone

luv & cuddles
A

magglen

9 May 2012

I am on Leflonomide and Etanercept. I love red wine and told my consultant. He said I could have three glasses a week. I don't have that much but do injoy the odd glass to treat myself. Don't need to take pain killers but if I ever do I don't have wine that day.

lynn-bel

9 May 2012

Bearing in mind that every body is different, I still drink, am on 20mg MTX a week and Naproxen now and then.
My cons. said no alcohol when first on MTX until the treatment was stable and then is okay to drink moderately, which I do. I was honest with the drs. and said I would want to continue to have some wine and a scotch now and then, so they explained that myliver readings may show a problem and they wanted to know it was the MTX and not alcohol causing it, so until I was stabilised on the meds. i didnt drink, but this was 12 yrs ago and now I do drink, but moderately and I would stop if I felt it affected my health.
Lynnx

dapper

9 May 2012

i have done both ,and do find if i have a lot in 1 go my liver goes up ,but its only been a blip and goes back to normal ,i was told 10 units per week max ,and not all in one go ,if on tramadol i should imagine 1 drink would be enough ,think id be on the floor if i had more as it sends me to sleep anyway !

dapper

9 May 2012

ps ,im on 25mg mtx injected ,painkillers only when absolutely necessary

katezziexxx

9 May 2012

You can't mix the medication and the alcohol together as it will back fire on you.... there is something in methotrexate and you can turn seriously unwell and you could go to hospital as for your other medication i don't know

Shelley1701

9 May 2012

I've been on MTX for near on ten years now and always drunk in moderation. I have a couple of glasses of wine and/or maybe a small glass of beer on a Saturday night and I've always been fine. My consultant told me they tell you not to drink because if you tell someone its fine they might go getting drunk every week which isn't healthy for anyone, MTX or not. There is a risk of it being hard on the liver if you drink too much. Should be ok as long as its just one or two. Don't know about your other meds though. Best to check with your doctor.

rosedale

11 May 2012

I am on mtx and sulfasalazine and I have a drink every friday night 4 tins bud and lime and I look forward to this !! my way of relaxing with my family all blood tests have all been ok so I suppose everyone is differant but I have had no trouble at all

thekeys46

11 Jun 2012

I am on mtx plaquenil, salazopyrin, metformin, rampril, indapomide and bisoprolol. I have never been a heavy drinker but have enjoyed the odd glass of wine at weekends. Last week I went out for a meal and had a glass of wine. Before leaving the restaurant I came over all hot and had palpitations. I was sick when we got home and the following day it felt like I had a hangover. yesterday I had a bottle of beer and a few hours later I had a headache and woke up today feeling as though I have a hangover. Think this is telling me I need to cut out alcohol altogether.

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