When you are dealing with a new health condition, your medical provider may have you try different medications to see what works well for you. Not everyone will respond to medications in the same way. So, a drug that makes you feel dizzy might make someone else nauseated or fatigued.
Since side effects are sometimes unpredictable, it’s always important for you to take the time to see how the drug affects you before you drive. If you are fatigued, drowsy, dizzy or disoriented from the medication, then it’s in your best interests not to drive until those side effects wear off. If you do drive, you could end up being accused of being impaired and face a DWI charge.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the side effects may be worsened if you drink alcohol with your prescription. For example, if you’re prescribed Benadryl, you should know that it could cause symptoms like dizziness and drowsiness. When combined with alcohol, the effects could be intensified. That means that your ability to judge your surroundings and stay focused may be impaired.
Antibiotic drugs you should never mix with alcohol
One of the main antibiotic drugs prescribed today is called Flagyl, which is also known as metronidazole. Out of all the antibiotics that you should not mix with alcohol, this one is the drug that should never be mixed under any circumstance.
When you mix this drug with alcohol, it causes extreme illness. It will make you nauseated and may cause you to vomit. Even a small amount of alcohol can cause this severe effect, which is why it has to be avoided three days before and after the drug.
Other antibiotics you shouldn’t mix with alcohol include:
- Ketoconazole
- Isoniazid
- Tinidazole
Muscle relaxants and alcohol
Another type of drug not to mix with alcohol is a muscle relaxant. Both alcohol and muscle relaxants are depressants that suppress the central nervous system. Combining them may lead to slow or impaired breathing, seizures, memory loss and other severe side effects.
All drugs have different reactions to being mixed with alcohol. If you are taking something new, talk to your doctor to find out if you can drink with your medications. Until you know if it’s safe, stay out from behind the wheel of your vehicle.
