Mixing Alcohol and Acetaminophen: Is it Dangerous?
Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol or the brand name Tylenol, is an over-the-counter (OTC) drug that is found in many medications that are commonly used to treat mild-to-moderate pain and fever. However, when you take acetaminophen at high doses or together with alcohol, it can cause side effects ranging from mild to severe. Because enzymes found in the liver are responsible for breaking down substances entering the body, it can become overwhelmed if too much acetaminophen and alcohol are consumed. When this happens, you’re putting yourself at a potential risk for severe liver damage. This risk increases as you take more of the pain reliever or drink more alcohol, with the possibility of fatal liver damage occurring in some cases. The risk may be higher for people who have a history of alcohol use disorder (AUD), also known as alcoholism.
