Can you drink alcohol while taking prednisone?
Official answer
by recovered.org
Prednisone labeling does not indicate any direct risks of interaction between alcohol and prednisone. While clinical studies on the effects of consuming alcohol and prednisone are lacking, research suggests there may be an effect on the body's metabolic rate.
Prednisone can affect the body's metabolism; the speed at which food and liquids are broken down and converted into energy. Alcohol similarly can affect metabolism and when the two are ingested together (especially in large volumes) there is the possibility of a negative reaction. These negative reactions may include:
- A weakened immune system
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Brittle bones
- Weight gain
- Blood level changes (increased or decreased)
How severely metabolism may be affected by combing prednisone and alcohol varies depending on a variety of factors such as:
- how large the dosage of prednisone is
- whether it is a short- or long-term course of treatment
- how much alcohol the person drinks
- medical conditions the person has
Read here for more information on alcohol and physical health.
