Beta blockers and alcohol
Can I drink alcohol if I take a beta blocker?
Patients taking beta blockers should refrain from consuming alcohol. There are several reasons for this. Alcohol has a long-term negative effect on blood pressure.
It can increase the systolic value by up to 7 mmHg and the diastolic value by up to 5 mmHg.
At Smokers the blood pressure-increasing effects are even greater. This increase in blood pressure is based on various mechanisms. Alcohol indirectly promotes that Release of blood pressure-increasing hormones. Furthermore, high alcohol consumption can lead to one over time Weight gain and an associated Increase in blood pressure to lead.
In combination with beta blockers, which are supposed to do exactly the opposite, namely lowering blood pressure, that is Risk of undesirable side effects high. Therefore, the question of whether you can drink alcohol while taking beta blockers is basically with No to answer.
Side effects like Dwindlingl, unconsciousness and Circulatory disorders can occur. Also Damage to the liver can occur. Especially when taking beta blockers that are metabolized by the liver, such as Propanolol, regular alcohol consumption can lead to liver damage. Furthermore can be heaped depressions and sleep disorders occur.
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How dangerous can that be?
The state of health can be worsened by the simultaneous use of beta blockers and the consumption of alcohol. Underlying diseases such as high blood pressure, where beta blockers are used therapeutically, are made worse by regular alcohol consumption.
In addition, the risk of sometimes serious side effects of the therapy increases. These include, for example, liver dysfunction, circulatory problems and depression.
Therefore, alcohol consumption is strongly discouraged when taking beta blockers regularly. Kidney damage can also occur.
Furthermore, taking beta blockers in combination with alcohol promotes weight gain.
Especially with existing high blood pressure, weight gain has an additional negative effect on the already high blood pressure. The risk of secondary damage such as strokes also increases.
The editors also recommend: Diet for high blood pressure
What effects does alcohol have on the heart?
For a long time, moderate alcohol consumption was considered cardioprotective - Alcohol was therefore said to have a partly protective effect on the heart.
However, this assumption cannot be confirmed in all respects. A critically high alcohol consumption favors Heart damage of various kinds. He is suspected Cardiac arrhythmias how to favor atrial fibrillation. The risk for others also increases Cardiovascular diseases.
But that's not all - alcohol also damages the heart indirectly over a Increase in blood pressure. A more regular and high alcohol consumption leads to a long-term Increase in blood pressure. That high blood pressure damages vessels and thus provides one Main risk factor for cardiovascular disease represent.
It also promotes alcohol inflammatory activities in the body and promotes the development of a arteriosclerosis. The risk for Heart attacks increases thereby.
The Pumping power of the heart is also degraded by various factors.
Of course, there are also other consequential damage caused by alcohol such as Liver dysfunctionwhich further worsen the overall condition.
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Beta-blocker interactions
Like any other active ingredient, beta blockers have potential side effects. Also interactions with other drugs are possible. Ever more The more medication you take higher is that too risk for interactions between different drugs.
Especially patients with high blood pressure or one coronary artery diseasewho often take beta blockers are also given other drugs to treat their illness.
Also the additional appearance other diseaseswhich in turn require therapy, increases the risk of interactions.
A Alcohol consumption or a Use of other drugs increases these risks enormously.
The individual interactions depend on the type of medication taken and the individual taking them.
It is therefore particularly recommended for the Taking multiple medications to refrain from alcohol. From time to time you should also check whether the medication is still necessary and whether the dosage corresponds to the current situation. In this way the risk of interactions can be minimized.
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Bisoprolol and alcohol
Bisoprolol is a beta blocker that, among other things, is used to treat high blood pressure and one Heart failure is used.
The active substance lowers the Heart rate and the Blood pressure. Consumption of alcohol can die effect of bisoprolol amplify and to Circulatory disorders to lead.
Therefore, alcohol should not be consumed when bisoprolol is ingested.
Metoprolol and alcohol
Metoprolol is a standard preparation that is used, among other things, for Therapy of high blood pressure is used. It is about the liver metabolized so that the Use restricted in case of liver damage is. Either the dose is reduced or another drug has to replace the metoprolol.
Alcohol impairs the functioning of the liver and must therefore not be consumed during therapy with metoprolol. The risk of side effects like Circulatory disorders and dizziness also increases.
