Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Prednisone?
An Internet search of the term "alcohol and
prednisone" will come up with numerous different Web sites warning of the dangers of combining the two. However, there are no interactions between them. In fact, one of the liquid forms of prednisone (prednisone Intensol™) actually contains 30 percent alcohol.
Theoretically, it is possible that drinking alcohol while taking prednisone (Deltasone®) might increase the risk of stomach ulcers or other gastrointestinal bleeding, as both substances can cause gastrointestinal irritation.
Other Reasons to Avoid Combining Prednisone and Alcohol
Prednisone is used to treat a wide variety of medical conditions. For people with some of these conditions, it might not be wise to consume alcohol. For instance, prednisone is sometimes used to treat
ulcerative colitis, and some people find that alcohol can worsen their ulcerative colitis symptoms.
In some cases, there may be no need to avoid alcohol while on prednisone. However, you should talk with your healthcare provider. You and your healthcare provider understand your situation best. Based on what you want and expect, as well as your current health situation, the two of you can make a shared decision about your intake of alcohol while on this medication. There may be other medical reasons why you should not consume alcohol.
