Why Mixing Prednisolone and Alcohol Is Unsafe

According to a 2022 survey, over half the population of Britain take prescription medication. Many people think that because it is legal and prescribed, these drugs are safe. In fact, prescription drug addiction is common and can be just as devastating as other forms of substance misuse.

Prednisolone is a commonly prescribed steroid medication used to treat a wide range of health issues, some of which can be chronic. In cases of people regularly taking medication such as prednisolone, they assume that moderate drinking is safe with prescriptions.

However, mixing prednisolone and alcohol can pose serious health risks. If you are concerned about this, it’s important to know what the dangers are, the warning signs of misuse, and safer treatment options.

What Is Prednisolone?

Prednisolone is a corticosteroid, a synthetic version of the hormone cortisol, that is used to treat many health problems such as allergies, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, arthritis, asthma, and blood disorders.

It works by decreasing inflammation in the body by going into cells and reducing inflammation. It also regulates your immune system, suppressing an overactive immune system. If your body does not produce enough cortisol, which is important to how your body responds to stress, illness, and injury, prednisolone acts as a replacement.

Prednisolone works on your metabolism too by mimicking cortisol and increasing insulin, leading to higher blood sugar.

Prednisolone is a potent medication that can have side effects if misused or taken long-term, so you should always follow medical guidance while taking it.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Prednisolone?

Alcohol is generally discouraged while on prednisolone because some of the side effects are similar.

The risk of adverse prednisolone side effects caused by alcohol increases with higher dosage, the duration of prednisolone, and heavier drinking patterns. It is not only heavy drinking that can impact prednisolone side effects, but even moderate drinking can also harm your health.

Doctors often advise avoidance because there are a lot of unknowns. It’s hard to predict how the interactions of these substances will affect a person, so it is better to be completely safe and not risk it at all.

Why Mixing Prednisolone and Alcohol Is Unsafe

Increased Risk of Stomach and Gut Damage

Alcohol amplifies prednisolone’s gastrointestinal side effects, which include irritation of the stomach lining. Combining them leads to a higher risk of ulcers and internal bleeding.

Liver Strain and Toxicity

Both substances are processed by the liver, being metabolised into metabolites that are then excreted via urine. Alcohol damages liver cells as the enzyme it is metabolised into is still harmful, leading to increased risk of liver inflammation or damage. This can lead to impaired liver function, causing toxicity,

There is a greater danger for those who drink heavily or long-term, as the damage becomes irreversible and your liver becomes less efficient.

Weakened Immune Function

Prednisolone suppresses the immune response, making infections more likely, and alcohol further reduces infection resistance. This leaves you with an increased vulnerability to illness and slower healing.

Mood, Sleep, and Mental Health Effects

Prednisolone can cause insomnia and other mental side effects such as anxiety, mood swings, irritability, or depression. Whilst alcohol may be used to ease these outcomes, it will actually worsen steroid-induced psychological effects.

These two substances also increase the risk of emotional instability during treatment, hampering recovery efforts.

Long-Term Risks for People Who Drink Regularly

Long-term prednisolone use and drinking will lead to effects that can plague you for the rest of your life, including:

• Bone thinning and fracture risk
• Blood sugar and blood pressure complications
• Increased risk of alcohol addiction due to drinking as a coping mechanism
• Depression

Alcohol and steroid therapy don’t help or complement each other; they only compound the effects and increase the risk of negative long-term health impacts.

Warning Signs That Require Medical Attention

There are many signs that mixing prednisolone and alcohol is having a huge impact on your health that requires urgent medical attention. Knowing the signs means you can help before the problem worsens, putting you at further risk.

Signs that you require medical attention include:

• Severe stomach pain or black stools
• Vomiting blood
• Extreme mood changes or confusion
• Signs of infection (fever, weakness)
• Yellowing of skin or eyes (point towards possible liver issues)

 

Prednisolone, Alcohol, and Addiction Risk

Drinking alcohol whilst on prednisolone can be especially dangerous because it causes you to misuse your medication too. Your judgement is impaired when drinking alcohol, so you may miss doses, take too much and not follow your prescription guidelines.

This can lead to more negative side effects and the prednisolone not working as it’s supposed to.

People also drink to manage steroid side effects, such as emotional changes and insomnia, which can just make the problem worse and begin a cycle of dependency.

Whilst alcohol may combat prednisolone side effects, prescription medications can also mask and worsen alcohol dependence. They can make you seem not as drunk, reduce the inflammation that alcohol is causing and amplify mental health issues that lead to more drinking.

When you are on prescription medication, you must be honest with your healthcare provider about your drinking habits so that they do not prescribe you anything that might worsen your health.

What to Do If You’re Taking Prednisolone and Drinking Alcohol

If you are taking prednisolone and drinking alcohol, you should act now to prevent more serious damage. Steps that you can take to improve your situation include:

• Do not stop prednisolone suddenly without medical advice: You need to gradually reduce your prednisolone intake, as you can experience withdrawal.
• Reduce or stop alcohol consumption safely: Stopping alcohol suddenly can bring on intense withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures. You should first think about reducing your alcohol consumption and take it as slowly as possible.
• Speak openly with a GP or prescribing clinician: A medical professional can safely guide you through this period, refer you and provide you with alcohol support resources.
• Monitor physical and mental health symptoms: Keeping a close eye on your physical and mental health is vital. If your situation worsens, seek urgent medical care.
• Seek support if alcohol use feels hard to control: Reach out to a drug rehab or other professional addiction treatment resources if you are unable to reduce your drinking. Being unable to stop points to a deeper issue.

How Action Rehab Can Help

We hope you’ve found our article on why mixing prednisolone and alcohol is unsafe useful. At Action Rehab, we’re an advisory service that offers support for individuals struggling with alcohol misuse while managing medical conditions. We can help you find the right rehab centre for you and get you in as quickly as possible.

During your time in rehab, you will likely undergo a personalised treatment programme. You’ll go through a medically supervised alcohol detox and undergo therapy addressing health anxiety, medication reliance, and relapse prevention. These form a comprehensive programme that can help you achieve your long-term recovery goals.

We can help you find residential and outpatient rehab options, so you can go on the treatment path that suits your situation. With all our clients, we promise to find them confidential, personalised and UK-based care that will help them.

No matter how down you feel about your situation, help is out there, recovery is possible and worth it as a part of protecting your long-term health.

Concerned About Prednisolone and Alcohol? Get Support Today

So, can you drink alcohol on prednisolone?

The short answer is no. Mixing prednisolone and alcohol is unsafe and often underestimated or not considered by most people. At all times, you need to prioritise medication safety and have honest conversations with professionals about your prescriptions and drinking habits.

Beyond being bad for you in general if misused, alcohol misuse can interfere with healing and recovery, keeping you trapped in needing prescription medication.

Get in touch with Action Rehab today for professional addiction support, and we can point you in the right direction for medical advice.