New Data Reveal Doubling of Emergency Department Visits Involving Pharmaceutical Abuse White House Drug Policy Director Highlights Growing Public Health Toll of the “Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic” WASHINGTON—According to new data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), visits by individuals to hospital emergency rooms involving the […]

Continue reading "New Data Reveal Doubling of Emergency Department Visits Involving Pharmaceutical Abuse" >>

Alcohol
May cause drowsiness. Alcohol may intensify this effect. Use care when operating a car or dangerous machinery.

You’ve probably seen this warning on medicines you’ve taken. The danger is real. Mixing alcohol with certain medications can cause nausea and vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, fainting, or loss of coordination. It also can put you at risk for internal bleeding, heart problems, and difficulties in breathing. In addition to these dangers, alcohol can make a medication less effective or even useless, or it may make the medication harmful or toxic to your body.

Some medicines that you might never have suspected can react with alcohol, including many medications which can be purchased “over-the-counter”—that is, without a prescription. Even some herbal remedies can have harmful effects when combined with alcohol.

Continue reading "Mixing Alcohol With Medicines. What could happen?" >>