Prednisone and Alcohol

Prednisone is a class of medications called corticosteroids. These drugs work to treat patients with low levels of corticosteroids by replacing steroids that are naturally occurring (or the lack of it naturally occurring) by the body. It works to treat other conditions by reducing swelling and redness and by adjusting the way the immune system works.

Based on a recent Reddit thread where a patient was asking for advice on consuming alcohol while on a higher-dose of prednisone, many Users agreed and suggested that it was simply not a good idea. With one patient saying, “No. It’s already not a good idea for you when flaring since it can make symptoms worse but it’s straight up dangerous when you’re on steroids.

Because alcohol suppresses your immune system and so does prednisone (severely when at a high dose), you have a risk of impacting your liver permanently.” While the risk of permanent liver damage is there, unless you’re consuming alcohol on a daily basis, you’re not under serious risk of injury by consuming alcohol. However, still not advised by patients and physicians.

Key Takeaways

Many patients agree that consuming alcohol while on any prednisone prescription is not a good idea. Many of the potential side effects of even low-doses of prednisone may be amplified while consuming alcohol.
Some of the side effects of alcohol and prednisone are shared, making them especially common to experience if you decide to consume any alcohol. That includes irritable behavior, aggression, mood swings, dizziness, and general side effects that may not make the patient feel “good” or “healthy.”
Having more than one or two alcoholic drinks per day while you take prednisone can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes and increases your risk of weight gain.
It’s advised to completely wait until your treatment is finished before you consume any alcohol. Including avoiding to consume alcohol during any prednisone tapering schedule. Even if you’re only 5 mg of prednisone, you should avoid consuming any alcohol.

Consuming alcohol may want to be avoided while on any level of prescription of prednisone. Alcohol can worsen some side effects of prednisone, such as immune system suppression, bone weakening, and weight gain when consuming alcohol over time.

If you’re concerned with irregular consumption of alcohol while on prednisone, you shouldn’t be. Irregular use won’t cause serious side effects over time. However, during your consumption period, the intoxication of the alcohol may worsen some of these side effects of prednisone:

aggression
agitation
blurred vision
decrease in the amount of urine
dizziness
fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
headache
irritability
mood changes
noisy, rattling breathing
numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
pounding in the ears
shortness of breath
swelling of the fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs
trouble thinking, speaking, or walking
troubled breathing at rest
weight gain

Based on the list of side effects and the comparison of alcohol's side effects, you may have a very increased opportunity to experience blurred vision, aggression, agitation, headache, irritability, and mood changes.

Is it recommended to drink alcohol while on prednisone?

Generally, it is not recommended by most physicians to consume alcohol while on prednisone. Even if you’re on lower doses of prednisone or going into your tapering schedule with prednisone, you may still want to avoid consumption of any alcohol.

Differences with Men and Women and Alcohol

While your dosage percentage may not have any impact on the side effects increasing while consuming alcohol, your overall body mass index, weight, height, age, and other factors may increase your chances of experiencing more issues with the side effects while consuming alcohol.

Women tend to weigh less, be shorter, and generally have less overall body weight to where the alcohol has stronger effects on them when compared to the body mass index size of men. As a result, women may be more prone to experiencing the strong effects of alcohol. And thus, the strong side effects of the combination of alcohol and prednisone.

60 Years or Older

Those who are 60-years of age and older also tend to experience the effects of alcohol more than those of a younger age group. This is due to the body's metabolic rate and the effectiveness of the liver. As a result, anyone 60-years or older may experience the same increased effects of alcohol. And thus, increased chances of experiencing the side effects of prednisone.

General Lifestyle Tips When Taking Prednisone

Here are some general lifestyle tips for when prescribed prednisone:

Hydrate Well: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Staying hydrated can help counteract some of the side effects of prednisone, such as dry mouth and increased thirst.
Monitor Bone Health: Prednisone can lead to bone loss with long-term use. Include calcium-rich foods like dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified cereals in your diet, and consider discussing calcium and Vitamin D supplements with your doctor.
Exercise: Weight-bearing exercises like walking, jogging, or resistance training. Regular physical activity can help mitigate prednisone-related weight gain, maintain muscle mass, and support bone health.
Manage Your Stress: Stress management techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or yoga can be beneficial. Prednisone can affect your mood and cause anxiety or irritability, so incorporating stress-relief practices can help maintain emotional well-being.
Watch for Any Infections: Prednisone suppresses the immune system, increasing the risk of infections. Practice good hygiene, avoid close contact with sick individuals, and stay up to date with vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider.
Track Your Blood Pressure: Monitor your blood pressure regularly, as prednisone can cause hypertension. Limiting salt intake, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight can help manage blood pressure levels.

By following some of these tips, you can help manage the common side effects of prednisone and maintain your overall health. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any significant changes to your diet, exercise, or medication routine if you’re concerned with any rapid changes and how that might have an impact on your prescription.

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Sources

MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Prednisone: MedlinePlus Drug Information. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601102.html
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Prednisone withdrawal: Why taper down slowly? Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/prednisone-withdrawal/expert-answers/faq-20057923
Forefront Dermatology. (2015). Prednisone 12-day taper schedule. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://forefrontdermatology.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Dr-Ballo-Prednisone-Handout-12-day-taper-10-28-15.pdf
National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Prednisone in clinical trials. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://www.cancer.gov/research/participate/clinical-trials/intervention/prednisone