Effect
The pain medication works mainly by blocking the enzyme cyclooxygenase. This enzyme plays a decisive role in the formation of so-called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are signal substances that mediate an inflammatory reaction and thus pain.
Furthermore, these drugs have different anticoagulant effects, so the blood is made somewhat more fluid. Stronger painkillers bind to the opioid receptor in the nervous system and thus switch off the perception of pain. Especially these strong painkillers (opioids) lead to euphoric states, but also to restrictions of the circulatory function (heart function and breathing).
Although alcohol binds other receptors, it also initially triggers euphoric states. However, higher alcohol levels also lead to problems of movement coordination. Loss of consciousness can also occur.
The effect of taking alcohol at the same time is that the pain is also reduced, but the typical alcohol effects occur more quickly because the blood is thinned and the alcohol is distributed more quickly in the body.Therefore, the amount of alcohol consumed can have serious effects on the body much faster. Especially if you drink a lot quickly, you can feel the effects of the alcohol very quickly. The breakdown of alcohol progresses quite slowly with a decrease of 0.1 to 0.2 per thousand per hour.
The definitive rate at which alcohol is broken down depends on individual factors, which can be genetic, but also on gender or weight. The decomposition of a bottle of beer with 0.3 liters therefore takes about 3.5 hours. As the quantity increases or depending on the alcohol content of the drink, the time required for degradation naturally increases.
With mixed consumption it is difficult to understand how many per mille the blood alcohol content is and how long it will take until this alcohol is broken down. Just because the effect of the alcohol diminishes does not mean that the alcohol is already completely broken down. The breakdown of painkillers also takes several hours and is accompanied by the formation of breakdown products.
It is not possible to give a concrete duration, but it would be best not to consume any alcohol at all on the day of taking the painkillers or to let at least 12 hours pass. The liver is the central metabolic organ that plays a decisive role in the breakdown of many substances. This also applies to the breakdown of alcohol or painkillers.
10 percent of the alcohol consumed is excreted unchanged via the kidneys or breathed out via the lungs. The remaining 90 percent is broken down in the liver. There, the alcohol is broken down into the breakdown product acetaldehyde, which on the one hand is responsible for the hangover the next morning, but on the other hand also has cell-damaging effects, i.e. it attacks the liver cells and restricts their function.
As a result, the liver cannot fulfil its function in breaking down fat, the liver produces more fat instead of breaking it down. This fat is stored in the liver cells and when consumed over a longer period of time, fatty liver is the first to develop. This stage of liver damage is initially reversible, the liver can recover.
If, however, the patient continues to drink, an alcohol-induced inflammation of the liver develops, which can lead to cirrhosis of the liver. Liver cirrhosis is an irreversible condition in which the liver cells have been replaced by connective tissue and the function of the liver is irreversibly damaged. It is widely known that alcohol can damage the liver, but every 10th side effect of medication also affects the liver.
Among these drugs are mainly painkillers, such as paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These include the analgesics Aspirin® or Ibuprofen. Their breakdown also takes place mainly in the liver.
When taken once and in the correct dose, there is usually no liver damage. However, if the dosage is exceeded over a longer period of time, damage to the liver may occur. The effect of both substances together on the liver is of course highly damaging.
The liver is damaged by the alcohol, and if liver-damaging drugs are then taken, the liver is damaged permanently. The conversion processes to cirrhosis of the liver described above can occur much faster.
