Is It Safe to Take Prednisone and Alcohol?

Estimates are that nearly nine million Americans use prednisone every year. Like all medications, it’s important to be careful to avoid interactions with other substances, including steroids and alcohol. While some moderate alcohol consumption may be okay for people on prednisone, mixing prednisone and alcohol together is generally not advisable.

How Does Addiction Affect the Brain 

Addiction is treated in the medical literature as a mental illness because it functions along similar lines. It alters the brain in the areas relating to reward, motivation, and decision-making, leading the individual to engage in harmful compulsive behaviors.

Drugs and alcohol trigger a surge of dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward. This spike in dopamine creates feelings of euphoria and reinforces the behavior, encouraging repetition. As the person falls deeper into the addiction, the brain can become rewired.

For example, the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, can be affected. This leads to impaired judgment, making it harder to resist making bad choices, like taking prednisone and alcohol together. The hippocampus and amygdala, which are involved in learning and memory, also adapt by storing memories associated with the substance or behavior. These memories create powerful cravings when a person is exposed to familiar triggers.

How Does Prednisone Work? 

Prednisone is a corticosteroid medication commonly used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. It’s a synthesized form of cortisone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands.

It was first developed in the 1950s by the American pharmaceutical company Schering Corporation. It quickly became popular because it was found to be more potent and longer-lasting than cortisone while also having fewer side effects. Since then, it’s been used for a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.

Among others, conditions prednisone can treat include:

• Asthma
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lupus
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Allergies

Because it suppresses the immune system, it can also be used to help facilitate organ transplants.

Prednisone is a prodrug, meaning it works by being converted into its active form once it passes the liver. Once activated, it reduces inflammation and suppresses the immune system, which can be helpful in treating autoimmune diseases.

Is It Safe to Take Prednisone and Alcohol?

Taking prednisone and alcohol together is risky and can lead to complications.

Here’s an overview of some of the dangers of taking prednisone and drinking alcohol:

• Idiopathic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: This is a condition where the blood supply to the femoral head – the rounded part of the top of the thigh bone that fits into the hip joint – is disrupted. A study on prednisone and alcohol interactions found that taking both together leads to a lack of blood flow, which can then lead the bone to collapse. This, in turn, can result in joint pain, arthritis, and limited mobility.
• Gastrointestinal Issues: Both prednisone and alcohol can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines. When taken together, the risk of gastrointestinal problems such as stomach ulcers, gastritis, or bleeding increases. Prednisone alone is known to reduce the stomach’s ability to protect itself from acid, while alcohol can aggravate this condition by increasing acid production and weakening the stomach lining.
• Compromised Immune System: Prednisone suppresses the immune system to reduce inflammation. This makes you more susceptible to infections. Alcohol also suppresses the immune system, so taking prednisone and alcohol together can result in a greatly weakened immune system, making infections more likely.
• Liver Damage: Because both prednisone and alcohol are metabolized in the liver, it’s possible that the two together could put extra strain on the liver. A study from the American Gastroenterological Association suggests mixing prednisone and alcohol could raise the risk of liver disease.
• Weight Gain: Steroids and alcohol are both linked to weight gain. Together, they can amplify fluid retention, leading to unwanted weight gain, as well as high blood pressure and even heart issues.

While it may be safe to drink alcohol in moderation while taking prednisone for some individuals, the combination can increase the risk of side effects such as gastrointestinal issues, immune suppression, mood swings, and bone health problems. It’s essential to discuss your alcohol consumption with your healthcare provider to avoid complications.