Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Ibuprofen?
Short answer
Use cautionAn occasional drink with a normal dose of ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is unlikely to cause problems for most healthy adults. But alcohol and ibuprofen both irritate the stomach, and the ibuprofen label warns that having 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using it raises the chance of stomach bleeding. Avoid combining them if you drink heavily, have had ulcers, take a blood thinner, or have kidney problems.
Why alcohol and ibuprofen are a risky mix
Ibuprofen lowers the chemicals that protect the stomach lining. Alcohol irritates that same lining. Together, they make irritation, ulcers and bleeding more likely. The risk grows with the amount you drink, how much ibuprofen you take, and how long you take it.
Alcohol and NSAIDs also both stress the kidneys. Alcohol causes dehydration, and ibuprofen reduces blood flow to the kidneys, so a night of heavy drinking followed by ibuprofen is harder on them than either alone.
Who should avoid the combination
- People who have 3 or more drinks a day
- Anyone with a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding
- People taking a blood thinner, a steroid, or another NSAID
- Adults 60 and older
- People with kidney disease, heart failure or high blood pressure
What about ibuprofen for a hangover?
Taking ibuprofen while you are still drinking, or right before bed after heavy drinking, is when the stomach is most vulnerable. If you need something for a hangover headache, wait until you are no longer drinking, drink water, eat something, and use a single normal dose. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is not a better hangover choice after heavy drinking, because its label carries its own warning about liver damage with 3 or more drinks a day.
Take ibuprofen with food and water, use the lowest dose that works, keep drinks to a minimum, and do not take it for more than 10 days for pain without asking a doctor.
Warning signs to act on
Stop taking ibuprofen and get medical help if you feel faint, vomit blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, have black or bloody stools, or have stomach pain that does not go away.
What the FDA labels say
Frequently asked questions
How long after drinking can I take ibuprofen?
There is no exact waiting time on the label. The risk is highest while alcohol is still in your system, so it is wiser to wait until you are sober, hydrated and have eaten.
Is one beer or glass of wine with ibuprofen OK?
For most healthy adults, one drink with a normal dose is a low risk. The label’s warning focuses on 3 or more drinks every day while using the medicine.
Is Tylenol safer than ibuprofen with alcohol?
Not necessarily. Acetaminophen does not irritate the stomach, but heavy drinking with acetaminophen can damage the liver. See our acetaminophen interactions page for details.
Taking anything else?
Add all your medicines, supplements and alcohol to check every combination at once.
Sources
This page is for general education and is based on FDA labeling. It is not medical advice and does not replace a conversation with your doctor or pharmacist, who know your health history, doses and other medicines. If you think you have taken too much of a medicine, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or 911.