The compatibility of Diclofenac and alcohol is very important to prevent side effects and complications from the drug. Alcohol-containing fluids can not only reduce the effectiveness of treatment, but also form dangerous compounds with the drug. The use of certain drugs while taking such drinks can have a powerful toxic effect on liver cells, which will create big health problems.
Material Content:
Description of the drug
The active substance Diclofenac is a sodium salt of phenylacetic acid. The medication has an anti-inflammatory effect and has a non-steroidal origin. This means that the drug is non-hormonal and does not affect the human endocrine system.
The medicine is available in several forms:
- yellowish powder;
- 5% gel;
- ointment 10 and 20%;
- injection;
- suppositories for rectal administration;
- eye drops;
- pills.
Depending on the purpose of application and the patient's sensitivity to the drug, the most optimal form of release is selected. Local application has a smaller effect on the body, but is not suitable for all types of diseases. Systemic use can cause side effects if the dosage is exceeded or the medication is not taken correctly.
Indications for use and mechanism of action
Diclofenac is considered a universal remedy and belongs to the category of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
It is prescribed for a large number of diseases, which include:
- various types of conjunctivitis of non-infectious genesis;
- pathology of the corneal membrane;
- migraine-like pain;
- otitis media of unspecified or purulent nature;
- rheumatic heart disease of a chronic nature;
- pharyngitis in the acute phase;
- infection of the upper respiratory tract of various localization;
- arthrosis, including coxarthrosis;
- agranulocytic tonsillitis in the acute period;
- arthritis of a rheumatoid nature;
- soreness in the joints;
- gout;
- muscle inflammation;
- spondylosis and ankylosing type spondylitis;
- tendosynovitis, synovitis and other lesions of the synovial bag;
- sciatica;
- rheumatism;
- soreness along the location of the nerve;
- enthesopathy;
- muscle pain
- nerve inflammation;
- osteochondrosis;
- colic of renal and hepatic origin;
- inflammation of the ovaries;
- salpingitis;
- dysalgomenorrhea;
- lumbago;
- pelvic cellulitis;
- inflammatory diseases of the uterus, except for cervicitis;
- menstrual dysfunction;
- parametritis;
- injuries of a different nature;
- vulvitis, vaginitis, tenosynovitis;
- infectious diseases of ENT organs;
- pain syndrome of unspecified etiology, including non-stopping pain;
- limited soft tissue edema;
- inflammatory syndrome;
- surgical interventions;
- osteoarthrosis of a deforming nature;
- traumatic injuries of the eye socket and eyes;
- violation of the integrity of the joint capsule;
- dislocations;
- consequences of pneumonia.
The medicine removes signs of inflammation, reduces body temperature, removes soreness, has anticoagulant and antirheumatic effects. The effect is achieved due to the suppression of cyclooxygenase, which disrupts the production of mediators and enzymes, reduces platelet aggregation. During the period of prolonged treatment, the desensitizing effect of the drug is achieved.
Diclofenac is able to penetrate the skin and mucous membranes, so it is used as an external agent. At the same time, no effect on organs and systems occurs, which allows the use of the drug in patients with multiple pathologies. The medicine relieves pain, restores mobility to the joints when they are damaged, and reduces the severity of edema.
Overdose, contraindications, side effects
Diclofenac is a highly effective drug, so its appointment is not possible in all cases.
A contraindication to the use of the drug is:
- body hyperreactivity to the active substance or other drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- pathology of the hematopoietic system;
- inflammatory pathologies with signs of intestinal tissue destruction in the acute period;
- duodenal ulcer or stomach;
- bronchial asthma initiated by aspirin or other NSAIDs;
- age younger than 6 years;
- last weeks of pregnancy.
In addition to contraindications, the drug has health restrictions in the presence of pathology of the kidneys and liver, heart failure, breastfeeding and porphyria.
Attention! Diclofenac is not recommended when the work requires a significant concentration of attention.
In some situations, side effects may occur from the medication.
Adverse events include:
- gastric pathology with NSAIDs (hemorrhage, redness of the mucous membrane, ulcers and erosion in the antrum);
- dyspeptic symptoms (vomiting, nausea, increased gas formation, rapid weight loss, diarrhea or constipation);
- bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract;
- ulcerative and erosive lesions along the intestine;
- deterioration of the liver;
- drug-induced hepatitis;
- an increase in the concentration of hepatic transaminases in the blood;
- pancreas inflammation;
- headaches;
- kidney damage (interstitial nephritis, papillary necrosis, nephrotic syndrome, acute failure);
- increased irritability;
- loss of balance during movement;
- dizziness;
- sleep disorder;
- increased irritability;
- high fatigue;
- edema;
- convulsive syndrome;
- aseptic type meningitis;
- erythema multiforme;
- pneumonia with an increase in the number of eosinophils in the blood;
- local manifestations of allergies (erosion, exanthema, redness, eczema, ulcerative defects);
- Lyell's syndrome;
- bronchospasm;
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome;
- purpura;
- pathology of the hematopoietic system (aplastic and hemolytic anemia, a decrease in the number of white blood cells up to zero, platelet deficiency in the blood);
- erythroderma;
- anaphylactic reactions of the body, including shock;
- hair loss
- pathology of the heart and blood vessels (hypertension);
- photosensitivity;
- pathology of the visual analyzer and sensitivity.
Certain types of adverse reactions are closely related to the dosage form of the drug. Injections can cause a burning sensation during administration, as well as abscesses, infiltrates and tissue necrosis at the injection site. Diclofenac suppositories, administered rectally, can provoke discomfort in the anus, soreness during bowel movements and discharge in the form of mucus with blood. Local application of ointments and gel leads to both skin reactions (redness, itching, burning, rash) and systemic side effects.
With the wrong selection of the amount of the drug for treatment, an overdose of Diclofenac is possible.
It manifests itself with several symptoms:
- headaches;
- confusion of consciousness;
- dizziness;
- deep breathing;
- dyspeptic symptoms (vomiting, nausea);
- pain and bleeding from the digestive tract;
- violation of the kidneys and liver;
- myoclonic seizures in young patients.
The consequences of an overdose are eliminated by gastric lavage and symptomatic treatment. If one of the signs of diclofenac poisoning is detected, it is worth contacting a medical institution. Attempts to cope with the condition on their own can lead to complications and endanger the patient’s life.
Diclofenac in combination with alcohol
The instructions for use of Diclofenac contain information that the drug is not compatible with the intake of alcoholic beverages. This is due to the toxic effects of the drug and ethanol on the liver. In combination with each other, they are able to damage a significant number of hepatocytes, due to which organ function is impaired. Despite the possibility of recovery, it proceeds for a long time and is unpleasant due to a large number of restrictions, including in food. Therefore, it is better not to allow complications so that they do not have to be fixed for a long time.
The consequences of simultaneous administration, depending on the form of the drug
If Diclofenac tablets or injections are used for treatment, the consequences of taking alcohol will be more noticeable. In addition to increasing blood pressure, which can provoke a hypertensive crisis, the effectiveness of the drug is lost. The patient does not treat the underlying disease and receives complications from the heart, gastrointestinal tract and liver.
Attention! Dangerous complications are drug hepatitis and cirrhosis, which can lead to death.
When using local forms of the drug simultaneously with the use of vodka, wine or other alcoholic beverages, the destructive effect on the liver is less. But the consequences of such treatment can result in serious allergic reactions, up to anaphylactic shock. Therefore, it is better to refuse alcohol for the duration of therapy with ointments or gel.
The main reasons for incompatibility
Diclofenac and ethanol have a damaging effect on hepatocytes - liver cells that cease to function normally. This leads to hepatitis and increases the risk of cirrhosis.In this case, the digestion of food is disturbed due to insufficient intake of bile acids. The patient experiences gastrointestinal problems in the form of diarrhea and pain, and also loses weight, which leads to degeneration of muscles and tissues.
Diclofenac injections are especially dangerous to combine with the intake of alcoholic beverages. They act in different ways on the central nervous system of a person, leading to neurological pathologies. It is difficult to eliminate such consequences, more often patients have to live with them all their lives.
Combining Diclofenac with alcohol is life-threatening, therefore, it is recommended to categorically avoid such situations. If treatment falls on big holidays, but does not require urgency, it is better to postpone it for several days. But if urgent therapy is necessary, it is not worthwhile to cancel the doctor’s prescriptions because of alcohol. Life and health are more important than any event.
