Interactions between Ethanol and Pharmacist Paracetamol
1 drug interaction and 8 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- ethanol
- Pharmacist Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
Drug interactions
Major drug interactions
Major:
acetaminophen ethanol
Applies to: Pharmacist Paracetamol (acetaminophen) and ethanol
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, patients with chronic or excessive alcohol use 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).
References (17)
- Kaysen GA, Pond SM, Roper MH, Menke DJ, Marrama MA (1985) "Combined hepatic and renal injury in alcoholics during therapeutic use of acetaminophen." Arch Intern Med, 145, p. 2019-23
- O'Dell JR, Zetterman RK, Burnett DA (1986) "Centrilobular hepatic fibrosis following acetaminophen-induced hepatic necrosis in an alcoholic." JAMA, 255, p. 2636-7
- Seeff LB, Cuccherini BA, Zimmerman HJ, Adler E, Benjamin SB (1986) "Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in alcoholics." Ann Intern Med, 104, p. 399-404
- Thummel KE, Slattery JT, Nelson SD (1988) "Mechanism by which ethanol diminishes the hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen." J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 245, p. 129-36
- McClain CJ, Kromhout JP, Peterson FJ, Holtzman JL (1980) "Potentiation of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity by alcohol." JAMA, 244, p. 251-3
- Kartsonis A, Reddy KR, Schiff ER (1986) "Alcohol, acetaminophen, and hepatic necrosis." Ann Intern Med, 105, p. 138-9
- Prescott LF, Critchley JA (1983) "Drug interactions affecting analgesic toxicity." Am J Med, 75, p. 113-6
- (2002) "Product Information. Tylenol (acetaminophen)." McNeil Pharmaceutical
- Whitcomb DC, Block GD (1994) "Association of acetaminopphen hepatotoxicity with fasting and ethanol use." JAMA, 272, p. 1845-50
- Bonkovsky HL (1995) "Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, fasting, and ethanol." JAMA, 274, p. 301
- Nelson EB, Temple AR (1995) "Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, fasting, and ethanol." JAMA, 274, p. 301
- Zimmerman HJ, Maddrey WC (1995) "Acetaminophen (paracetamol) hepatotoxicity with regular intake of alcohol: analysis of instances of therapeutic misadventure." Hepatology, 22, p. 767-73
- (2025) "Product Information. Anadin Paracetamol (paracetamol)." Haleon UK Trading Ltd
- (2025) "Product Information. Mersynonight (diphenhydramine-paracetamol)." Sanofi-Aventis Healthcare Pty Ltd T/A Sanofi Consumer Healthcare
- (2023) "Product Information. Acetaminophen (acetaminophen)." B. Braun of Canada Ltd
- (2026) "Product Information. Acetaminophen (acetaminophen)." Marlex Pharmaceuticals
- (2025) "Product Information. ANTIDOL INFANTIL (paracetamol)." LABORATORIOS CINFA, S.A.
Food/lifestyle interactions
Major food/lifestyle interactions
Major:
acetaminophen Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: Pharmacist Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
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.
References (1)
- (2022) "Product Information. Acetaminophen (acetaminophen)." Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc
Disease interactions
7 potential interactions Applies to: 6 conditions, including Liver Disease, Long QT Syndrome, Dehydration, Alcoholism, and Malnourishment.
Alcoholism
Major:
Pharmacist Paracetamol
The acetaminophen in Pharmacist Paracetamol has a major potential interaction with Alcoholism.
Chronic alcohol abusers may be at increased risk of hepatotoxicity during treatment with acetaminophen (APAP). Severe liver injury, including cases of acute liver failure resulting in liver transplant and death, has been reported in patients using acetaminophen. Therapy with acetaminophen should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients who consume three or more alcoholic drinks a day. In general, patients should avoid drinking alcohol while taking acetaminophen-containing medications. Patients should be warned not to exceed the maximum recommended total daily dosage of acetaminophen (4 g/day in adults and children 12 years of age or older), and to read all prescription and over-the-counter medication labels to ensure they are not taking multiple acetaminophen-containing products, or check with a healthcare professional if they are unsure. They should also be advised to seek medical attention if they experience signs and symptoms of liver injury such as fever, rash, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, right upper quadrant pain, dark urine, and jaundice.
Dehydration
Major:
Pharmacist Paracetamol
The acetaminophen in Pharmacist Paracetamol has a major potential interaction with Dehydration.
Acetaminophen is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment or severe active liver disease. Patients with hepatic impairment may be at increased risk of toxicity. Severe liver injury, including cases of acute liver failure and death, have been reported in patients using this drug. Clinical monitoring of hepatic function is recommended. Caution is advised if using acetaminophen in patients with chronic malnutrition or severe hypovolemia. Instruct patients to avoid drinking alcohol while taking acetaminophen-containing medications. Patients should be warned not to exceed the maximum recommended total daily dosage of acetaminophen (4 g/day in adults and children 12 years of age or older), and to read all prescription and over-the-counter medication labels to ensure they are not taking multiple acetaminophen-containing products, or check with a healthcare professional if they are unsure.
Liver Disease
Major:
Pharmacist Paracetamol
The acetaminophen in Pharmacist Paracetamol has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Acetaminophen is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment or severe active liver disease. Patients with hepatic impairment may be at increased risk of toxicity. Severe liver injury, including cases of acute liver failure and death, have been reported in patients using this drug. Clinical monitoring of hepatic function is recommended. Caution is advised if using acetaminophen in patients with chronic malnutrition or severe hypovolemia. Instruct patients to avoid drinking alcohol while taking acetaminophen-containing medications. Patients should be warned not to exceed the maximum recommended total daily dosage of acetaminophen (4 g/day in adults and children 12 years of age or older), and to read all prescription and over-the-counter medication labels to ensure they are not taking multiple acetaminophen-containing products, or check with a healthcare professional if they are unsure.
Moderate:
ethanol
Ethanol has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.
For IV ethanol, the initial infusion rate for continuous infusion in adults with liver disease is specified irrespective of chronic drinking status. The hepatic-disease regimen should be followed, and ethanol concentrations should be monitored to guide adjustment of the maintenance infusion rate and maintain the target concentration range.
Long QT Syndrome
Moderate:
ethanol
Ethanol has a moderate potential interaction with Long QT Syndrome.
IV ethanol may prolong the QT interval; this occurred in some subjects at target plasma or serum ethanol concentrations. ECGs should be monitored during treatment and alternative treatments should be considered if QT prolongation is present or arrhythmias develop.
Malnourishment
Major:
Pharmacist Paracetamol
The acetaminophen in Pharmacist Paracetamol has a major potential interaction with Malnourishment.
Acetaminophen is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment or severe active liver disease. Patients with hepatic impairment may be at increased risk of toxicity. Severe liver injury, including cases of acute liver failure and death, have been reported in patients using this drug. Clinical monitoring of hepatic function is recommended. Caution is advised if using acetaminophen in patients with chronic malnutrition or severe hypovolemia. Instruct patients to avoid drinking alcohol while taking acetaminophen-containing medications. Patients should be warned not to exceed the maximum recommended total daily dosage of acetaminophen (4 g/day in adults and children 12 years of age or older), and to read all prescription and over-the-counter medication labels to ensure they are not taking multiple acetaminophen-containing products, or check with a healthcare professional if they are unsure.
Phenylketonuria
Moderate:
Pharmacist Paracetamol
The acetaminophen in Pharmacist Paracetamol has a moderate potential interaction with Phenylketonuria.
Several oral acetaminophen and acetaminophen-combination products, particularly flavored chewable tablets, contain the artificial sweetener, aspartame (NutraSweet). Aspartame is converted to phenylalanine in the gastrointestinal tract following ingestion. Chewable and effervescent formulations of acetaminophen products may also contain phenylalanine. The aspartame/phenylalanine content should be considered when these products are used in patients who must restrict their intake of phenylalanine (i.e. phenylketonurics).
More resources
ethanol
A total of 560 drugs are known to interact with ethanol.
- Ethanol is in the drug class miscellaneous uncategorized agents.
Pharmacist Paracetamol
A total of 540 drugs are known to interact with Pharmacist Paracetamol.
- Pharmacist paracetamol is in the drug class miscellaneous analgesics.
- Pharmacist paracetamol is used to treat the following conditions:
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.