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How Long After Taking Ibuprofen Can You Consume Alcohol

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How Long After Taking Ibuprofen Can You Consume Alcohol

Do you know what the doctors have to say about How Long After Taking Ibuprofen Can You Consume Alcohol? Read ahead and find out the answer along with treatment if you take ibuprofen and alcohol together. 

Ibuprofen is readily available in the market and can be picked up from any medical store under brand names such as Advil, Midol, etc. Ibuprofen can be consumed by both adults and children. Ibuprofen medicines come in the form of capsules, tablets, chewable, and suspensions. Since Ibuprofen is sold without a prescription, it may be consumed by people who regularly drink alcohol. For them, it can be damaging. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 320 patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding, 11.3% were taking NSAIDs with alcohol, and the combination was associated with a significantly increased risk of bleeding.

Keep reading as we will talk about Ibuprofen, what it is, its uses and how long after taking Ibuprofen can you drink alcohol.

Negative Effects of Alcohol Consumption

The best way to ensure you effectively manage ibuprofen and alcohol is to quit alcohol. While ibuprofen does offer benefits to an extent provided it is consumed safely, alcohol only offers damage and a slow painful death.

Unfortunately, alcohol is the most accessible substance addiction to develop. Thanks to its widespread availability But what initially starts out as fun and games can slowly transition into a life-threatening habit. Alcohol addiction not only puts one’s own life in danger but also jeopardizes relationships and social dynamics.

Here is how alcohol affects you and your health;

  • Liver Damage
  • Poor cognitive function
  •  Death
  •  Crippling addiction
  • Cancer
  • Health conditions
  • Damages personal relationships

What is Ibuprofen- A Brief Introduction

Ibuprofen is a painkiller classified as an NSAID(Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug). Ibuprofen is used to treat pain and other symptoms of poor health. Ibuprofen in general effectively treats mild pains ranging from fever to muscle pains. There are two types of Ibuprofen available in the market; prescription and Non-prescription.

Non-Prescription Ibuprofen:

As the name suggests, this type of Ibuprofen does not require any prescription. They are generally sold at medicine stores and are used to treat fever pains, aches, and colds.  

Prescription Ibuprofen

Unlike non-prescription Ibuprofen, prescription Ibuprofen requires a prescription signed by a doctor. This is because this type of Ibuprofen is more powerful and has side effects. Prescription Ibuprofen is used to treat pain caused by arthritis and other diseases.

Did you accidentally take Alcohol with Ibuprofen? Worry not and immediately call our doctors at 866-321-1553.   so we can assist you!

How Long After Taking Ibuprofen Can You Drink Alcohol?

It may take up to as long as 10 to 12 hours to clean Ibuprofen from the body. In case you have a poor liver, this time could drastically vary. Drinking alcohol before the body eliminates Ibuprofen can adversely damage the body. The damages may include ulcers, bleeding, stomach problems, and the risk of developing other health conditions.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have taken ibuprofen and alcohol together and you are experiencing symptoms like blood in your stool or vomit, a rapid heartbeat, chest pain, persistent stomach pains, dizziness, or fainting. Call our substance abuse hotline for urgent car

Common Uses of Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen can be used by all ages. From infants to adults, Ibuprofen offers a variety of uses. Following is a list of Ibuprofen uses;

  • offers pain relief
  • can be used to tackle fever and cold
  • is anti-inflammatory
  • can be used to relieve migraine pain
  • to relieve period pain
  • can be used to relieve muscle cramps

5 Deadly Risks Associated with Consuming Ibuprofen With Alcohol

Since Ibuprofen can be consumed by all ages, it must have no risks, right? Sadly no. As innocent as Ibuprofen may sound, there are certain risks attached to the drug.  This is majorly due to Ibuprofen being an NSAID.

NSAIDs, including Ibuprofen, are dangerous to the health of people who regularly rely on NSAIDs for pain regulation. They may develop the risk of heart attack and other conditions. These conditions may arise anytime during the use and may occur unexpectedly. The risks do not end here. Poor lifestyle choices, overconsumption of Ibuprofen, and combining Ibuprofen and alcohol can also lead to death. Therefore, Ibuprofen is a drug that must be approached with caution and not used until necessary. Moreover, people that consume alcohol with Ibuprofen are at a high risk of death and developing painful health conditions.

Here are five common health risks that can arise due to taking alcohol and ibuprofen together:

1.  Gastrointestinal bleeding

Ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID), can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines, rendering them more vulnerable to harm from alcohol. This can result in gastrointestinal bleeding. Combining alcohol with ibuprofen considerably raises the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, which in extreme situations can be fatal.

2.  Liver damage 

Ibuprofen and alcohol are both metabolized in the liver and taking both concurrently raises the risk of liver damage. The liver is crucial in the process of removing toxins from the blood, and excessive alcohol and ibuprofen use can tax the liver to the point of failure.

3.  Kidney damage

Taking ibuprofen and alcohol together can also damage the kidneys, particularly when used in high dosages or over an extended period of time. Kidney injury is substantially more likely when paired with alcohol. The kidneys are crucial in the process of removing waste from the blood, and kidney impairment can result in major health issues, such as renal failure.

4.  Increased blood pressure

Ibuprofen and alcohol both have the ability to raise blood pressure, and their combined use can do so even more. Particularly in people with pre-existing cardiovascular disorders, this can raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues.

5.  Impaired judgment and coordination

When used together, ibuprofen and alcohol can exacerbate the effects of ibuprofen on judgment and coordination. When driving or operating heavy machinery in particular, this may increase the risk of accidents, injuries, and other unfavorable outcomes.

It is important to avoid mixing ibuprofen and alcohol together to minimize the risk of these adverse outcomes. If you have any concerns about the potential health risks of combining alcohol and ibuprofen, it is best to speak with our healthcare provider at Reconnect Recovery Center.

Quit Alcohol Now-Get Help At Reconnect Recovery Center Today!

Now that we have discussed in detail How Long After Taking Ibuprofen Can You Consume Alcohol, let’s move on to discussing about the importance of addiction treatment. If you consume alcohol but also rely on ibuprofen to manage pain, here is how you can manage both ibuprofen and alcohol. The best thing to do is to Quit alcohol today.

Following are some of the best treatment programs to kick away addiction.

1.  A Medical Detox

Detox allows patients to detoxify their bodies of the substance. During the treatment, the patients are monitored and cared for. They are also given support to enable them to kick the addiction.

2.  Intensive Inpatient

It is a treatment that is specifically designed for people with severe cases of drug abuse. These patients require intensive care and are offered a structured program. The treatment includes support, care, and administration of the patient.

3.  Partial Hospitalization

As the name suggests, the patient remains partially hospitalized. They receive treatment within the treatment facility and then return home. These patients are given utmost attention during the time spent in the facility.

4.  Dual Diagnosis

Most alcoholics develop the addiction over an underlying unresolved mental health issue. This program is aimed at treating both simultaneously.

5.  Medication-Assisted Treatment MAT

In certain cases, patients are given medicines to help their addiction. This type of treatment is referred to as MAT or medication-assisted treatment. This program is very effective for patients struggling with withdrawals. During MAT doctors prescribe FDA-approved medications such as:

  • Methadone
  • Suboxone
  • Subutex
  • Buprenorphine
  • Naltrexone

The FDA-approved medications are combined with psychotherapies like CBT and DBT to achieve the best results. 

Are you still thinking about How Long After Taking Ibuprofen Can You Consume Alcohol? Because the answer is pretty clear! If you or a loved one has accidentally consumed alcohol and Ibuprofen together, seek professional help now. Call our trained doctors at Reconnect Recovery Center at 866-321-1553.  


If you or someone you love struggles with drug or alcohol addiction, you’re not alone. Your recovery is possible. Call The Recovery Center today to learn about our inpatient programs located at facilities across the country. Our caring representatives can answer your questions about addiction and the rehab process, and calling is free and confidential.

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Medical Disclaimer
The Reconnect Recovery Center aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.