Acetaminophen/diphenhydramine and Alcohol / Food Interactions

There is 1 alcohol/food/lifestyle interaction with acetaminophen/diphenhydramine:

GENERALLY AVOID: Chronic, excessive consumption of alcohol may increase the risk of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity, which has included rare cases of fatal hepatitis and frank hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation. The proposed mechanism is induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes during chronic alcohol use, which may result in accelerated metabolism of acetaminophen and increased production of potentially hepatotoxic metabolites.

MANAGEMENT: In general, chronic alcoholics should avoid regular or excessive use of acetaminophen. Alternative analgesic/antipyretic therapy may be appropriate in patients who consume three or more alcoholic drinks per day. However, if acetaminophen is used, these patients should be cautioned not to exceed the recommended dosage (maximum 4 g/day in adults and children 12 years of age or older).

GENERALLY AVOID: Use of anticholinergic agents with alcohol may result in sufficient impairment of attention so as to render driving and operating machinery more hazardous. In addition, the potential for abuse may be increased with the combination. The mechanism of interaction is not established but may involve additive depressant effects on the central nervous system. No effect of oral propantheline or atropine on blood alcohol levels was observed in healthy volunteers when administered before ingestion of a standard ethanol load. However, one study found impairment of attention in subjects given atropine 0.5 mg or glycopyrrolate 1 mg in combination with alcohol.

MANAGEMENT: Alcohol should generally be avoided during therapy with anticholinergic agents. Patients should be counseled to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how these agents affect them.

You should also know about...

acetaminophen/diphenhydramine drug Interactions

There are 760 drug interactions with acetaminophen/diphenhydramine

acetaminophen/diphenhydramine disease Interactions

There are 7 disease interactions with acetaminophen/diphenhydramine which include:

Alcoholism Liver Disease Anticholinergic Effects Pku

Asthma/Copd Cardiovascular Renal/Liver Disease

See also...

• Acetaminophen/diphenhydramine Side Effects
• Acetaminophen/diphenhydramine Consumer Information

• Drug Interactions Checker

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