{"id":12395,"date":"2020-07-10T11:17:51","date_gmt":"2020-07-10T15:17:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=12395"},"modified":"2026-07-08T12:42:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T16:42:32","slug":"alcohol-and-heartburn-medication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/alcohol-and-heartburn-medication\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it safe to mix alcohol with heartburn medication?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Taco Tuesday is here again, and you\u2019ve gone a little overboard on the carne asada and margaritas. It was fun, but you are about to pay the consequences with an annoying bout of food- and alcohol-induced heartburn. You reach for the Pepcid, but something stops you. Your pharmacist told you that some medications should never be mixed with alcohol. Is heartburn medication one of them?<\/span><\/p>\n

Go ahead and relax. Alcohol and heartburn medications do not have a drug-drug interaction, and it\u2019s safe to take them if you\u2019ve been drinking, says Dr. Holly Alvarado, Pharm.D., a clinical pharmacist at Duke Health. What a relief!<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Pepcid vs. Prilosec<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What is heartburn?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Taco-related or not, heartburn is extremely common in the United States. According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, it is estimated that more than <\/span>44%<\/span><\/a> of Americans experience heartburn on a monthly basis. A symptom of <\/span>acid reflux<\/span><\/a> rather than a condition itself, heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus.<\/span><\/p>\n

Heartburn might feel like a burning sensation in your chest (behind the breastbone) and be accompanied by abdominal pain, a bad taste in your mouth, burning in your throat, and sometimes difficulty swallowing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chronic heartburn often accompanies <\/span>gastroesophageal reflux disease<\/span><\/a> (GERD). It\u2019s also associated with several other medical conditions, like esophagitis, <\/span>Barrett\u2019s esophagus<\/span><\/a>, and even esophageal cancer, so consult a healthcare professional if you experience heartburn frequently.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alcohol and heartburn medications<\/b><\/h2>\n

For many people, heartburn relief is easily attainable with over-the-counter and\/or prescription medications. Keep in mind that opting for generic options, which are exact copies of the brand-name medications, can help you save. Here’s a breakdown of common heartburn medications and recommendations for their use, including antacids, <\/span>H2 blockers<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>proton pump inhibitors<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Basic antacids<\/b><\/h3>\n

Antacids are common OTC digestive aids, but they work differently depending on their active ingredients. For example, <\/span>Tums<\/span><\/a> act as an antacid and anti-gas agent to relieve heartburn, indigestion, and sour stomach. Alcohol does not interact directly with Tums, but it can irritate the stomach lining, which may cause upper abdominal pain and nausea.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pepto Bismol<\/span><\/a> is a mild antacid and antidiarrheal that reduces inflammation and swelling in the stomach and intestines to alleviate upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea. It should not be combined with alcohol due to the increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers.<\/span><\/p>\n

H2 Blockers<\/b><\/h3>\n

H2 blockers<\/span><\/a> bind to H2 (Histamine type 2) receptors in the stomach lining to <\/span>reduce the amount of acid<\/span> your stomach produces,\u00a0 to relieve and prevent heartburn. They are often used for stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, and acid reflux. Mixing H2 blockers with alcohol is not recommended, as the combination increases blood alcohol levels and prolongs intoxication. It can also intensify side effects like headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Some common H2 blockers include <\/span>Pepcid<\/span><\/a> (famotidine), <\/span>Tagamet<\/span> <\/a>(cimetidine), and <\/span>nizatidine<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)<\/b><\/h3>\n

Proton pump inhibitors<\/span><\/a>, typically used for GERD and peptic ulcers, are preventive medications that block the production of stomach acid. They work by blocking a\u00a0 receptor on the acid producing cells in the stomach (the proton pump) . PPIs won\u2019t provide instant relief and must be taken daily for three to five days for results.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s no direct interaction between PPIs and alcohol. However, since alcohol increases stomach acid production, it can <\/span>counteract<\/span><\/a> their effects. The combination may also increase common PPI side effects like nausea, stomach pain, gas, and headaches.<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples of PPIs include:<\/span><\/p>\n