Alcohol usage with opiates ?

[Palioly]

I take both Zomorph and Coedine, (for Sciatica, see my contributions elsewhere) - - advice says "avoid alcohol" - now does avoid mean not one single drop must pass my lips, or drink very moderately. My alcohol of choice is low-ish alcohol content light Rose wine - normally I'd have one/two glasses with my evening meal.

[Cmc43]

damdan. I am no pharmacist, but some of my medication is much more prescriptive (ouch) and is clearly states that I must not drink alcohol at all. I suggest you speak to your pharmacist. I have in the past, with different medication, sought advice and have been able to have the odd glass. Alcohol will increase the effect of your medication but not cause injury if you are very moderate.

Yours CMC43

[Hartleyhare2]

If taken in moderation with food it MAY be ok but most sleepers and painkillers state no alcohol. I think firstly for the possible giddy side effects but secondly that the alcohol speeds up the tablet so instead of a steady four hours you might only get two. As mentioned previously I'd ask the pharmacist. I personally don't drink atall anymore as before I was diagnosed I was hitting the bottle to self medicate and function but that was eight years ago and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Not saying that you are but I am not a man of moderation.

Cheers Patrick

[deejames]

Say it would depend on the dosage of the medication and what it says on the leaflet. Occasional one glass I personally ( as a non medical person ) think is ok. The dangers are too much and falling or with drowsiness. I had a small glass of red wine last night and I'm on oxycodone ( slow release). In the past I could have drunk at least half the bottle.

When I was on morphine I hardly ever ever drank because in knew it would effect my balance.

Drinking every night is not good for anyone . Are we not supposed to have non alcohol days for liver recovery ?

Dee

[Palioly in reply to deejames]

Re: -- "what it says on the leaflet." -

It says, and I quote exactly - "avoid alcohol"

Now to me that is not the same as "do not drink any alcohol" - but maybe I'm wrong.

I will consult my usual pharmacist asap, and report ack.

[grace111 in reply to Palioly]

😂sorry but that is so funny. avoid alcohol means do not drink.

[Malsy]

Hi. I take a lot of Codeine, and have always had my Vodka and Cokes in the evening. 😉 just be sensible. .x

[Clanger152]

Hi danmdan I was on Zomorph, Cocodamol and codeine plus naproxen for approx 8 years before my total knee replacements. My doctor said it was ok to drink in moderation but to be sure I would ask your own gp as he will be aware of your history. Incidentally my liver function was never fantastic while on painkillers but now I am free of pain and painkillers it has returned to normal

His from me to you

[Palioly in reply to Clanger152]

8 years - gosh that's a real long time on pain meds. Any long-term side effects which did NOT go away after you stopped the meds. ? What were your pill quantities/amounts over that time, please ?

[Clanger152 in reply to Palioly]

Hi can mean

I was on 50mg zomorph & 500 mg naproxen morning & night. Cocodamol 30/500 4 times day used top up with up to 30 mg of codeine phosphate up to 4 times a day if I was having a bad day(most days)! I stopped the cocodamol virtually cold turkey after my second knee replacement but the zomorph was a whole different kettle of fish. It took me 3 months gradually reduce it and was quite easy until I dropped the last 10 mg. For 2 months I didn't sleep and felt like something was crawling under my skin. When described it to my go she said it was normal. My liver function has returned to normal and I sleep like a baby now. On the down side I have now been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my upper spine but only take anti-inflammatory drugs to manage this and the occasional cocodamol if I need it. Otherwise life is hunkydory.

Hugs from me to you xx

[PainfulMe]

I take a couple of different narcotics for pain management. I drink with them. Mine doesn't specifically say not to,but a pharmacist will tell you that alcohol intensifies the effect of the drug. Which means I might actually get some sleep.

[Jtal19305]

Best not to drink any alcohol. Many people die taking opiates with alcohol.

[Sarahk1000]

Hi Dan

I was an alcoholic for 25 years on opiates, so yes, you can drink but if you haven't had the opiates long then slowly introduce the drink or reduce the opiates slightly on the first time you have a drink with them. All it will do is make you more sleepy unless you really over do both drink and meds. If you really over do it it could slow your breathing down but if you only have the odd glass, then it shouldn't be a problem

Sarah xx

[Palioly]

Thanks all - I think I'll stick to tiny occasional mouthfuls only, for safety !

Dan.

[Hidden]

Drink in moderation and understand your limit when taking Opiates, it may actually do some good if you are sensible. It all depends on you, take that responsibility we are generally all adults

I am having a couple of glasses of Pear Cyder tonight like I have for over twenty years

BOB

ps I will now get told off on site now it will cause a discussion Lol

[PainfulMe in reply to Hidden]

I feel the exact same way. What's this place for without the ability to be honest about how we actually deal with life and chronic pain.

[earthwitch]

The danger with opiates plus alcohol is that the combination can depress your respiratory function - which could be a problem if you are asleep and your body forgets to breathe. I've now known two people die because they stopped breathing in the night due to high doses of opiate plus something else that contributed to depressed respiration. Your lowish alcohol one or two glasses is probably still likely to be at least 3 units of alcohol if not closer to 5 units (depending on the size of your glass), so thats not what a doctor would call a low intake. Do check with your pharmacist, and also be honest with your doctor about how much you drink, so they can also judge whether it is safe. If your medication says avoid alcohol, then you should really do that completely until you have made absolutely sure it is alright.

[etwersky]

You can drink very moderately and depending on how much opiates you are taking probably would be OK I just have decided to avoid all alcohol. A small glass of wine infrequently would almost certainly be OK but as somebody else has posted many opiate overdoses are tied to alcohol.

[tresa37]

no alcohol means NO ALCOHOL i take alot of tablets and im told no alcohol

[nedd]

It's a matter of consequences. We are all have different tolerances. you drinks you takes your chances. The choice is yours.

[Offcut]

One thing is with all these medications is we all react differently. I do not react to morphine in the same way as most and even had students bought in when I was admitted to hospital to asked how much morphine they think I had had? Apparently I should of been spaced out but was talking well to them?

Best thing is to have a few sips and if that is fine have a few more but know your limits. Most of the time they are covering their backs as some people can get alcohol enhanced by many fold with taking opiate drugs, Not me!

[bonniebluebird]

I take dihydrocodeine & unfortunately it makes me feel sick if I have even a small drink.

[AndrewT]

I'm NOT on these 'meds' but, I hate to say this, I WOULD AVOID ACOHOL, if I were. Sorry.

AndrewT

[sianr]

Alcohol decreases the effect of analgesics , you might enjoy the alcohol at the time which would be around an hour or so however when the alcohol starts to come out your system you will be in pain more than normal and may have a restless sleep , it's not worth it . Obviously your choice however I have the odd one but find I suffer for it during the night and following day

[tresa37]

NO ALCOHOL MEANS NO ALCOHOL

[Palioly]

The replies have varied -- I accept that "No Alcohol" means just that; but I was in the original post asking about the wording which actually said "Avoid Alcohol" - now to me that did not necessarily mean total abstinence.

Most of the leaflets about my then intake of opiates did not say a simple "no" using the less insistent word of "Avoid" !

As it happens my sciatica symptoms abated after 9 months to only the occasional dull ache, so I no longer use any opiates.