Diphenhydramine and alcohol: an unpredictable danger

Someone accidentally, someone out of ignorance, and someone and the stories of friends "on the bottle" may face the problem of a combination of alcoholic beverages and potent drugs. In all instructions for medicines, Cautions concerning the effect of grades containing liquids on the action of tablets. But not always and not everyone has the opportunity to read the annotation on time and avoid unpleasant consequences. And they are guaranteed if mixed, for example, diphenhydramine and alcohol.

When taking any medications that affect psychomotor functions (especially with regard to psychotropic, sedative drugs and antidepressants), you should avoid the use of even minimal doses of alcoholic beverages. Diphenhydramine is intended, first of all, for relief of attacks of allergy and severe pain. However, it also has a pronounced sedative, inhibitory effect. It is no accident that it is considered a drug of the old generation, which is recommended to be taken strictly in the evening because of such side effects as drowsiness, Retardation, lethargy. Alcoholic drinks for the most part also cause the effect of oppression of the central nervous system. Consequently, taking both diphenhydramine and alcohol simultaneously, one can strengthen their negative effects on the nervous system and psychomotor functions.

However, not all so simple. It has long been known that depending on the initial state, on the type of organism, on the nervous system and the situation, drugs and alcohol can not only have unpredictable effects, but also produce paradoxical reactions. One of them is confusion. Diphenhydramine and alcohol with simultaneous reception increase the effect of intoxication, if the drug is used in relatively small doses. If the tablets were 6-10, then this combination can cause strong psychotic reactions (delirium, hallucinations). Alas, lovers of experimenting with their health and consciousness have long noticed this effect and sometimes purposely achieve it. However, the danger - psychosis, strong affective reactions (not only hallucinations, but also fear, euphoria, depression) - which are created by diphenhydramine and alcohol taken simultaneously or within one day, can directly threaten life. A person discreetly loses orientation in time and space, turns off or falls into an insane state: runs away, hides, becomes aggressive. With confusion, the risk of becoming a victim of a traffic accident, accident, unintentional impulsive suicide is dramatically increased. It is necessary to remember about all side effects and patients (asthmatics, rheumatics, allergic people) taking diphenhydramine. The consequences of even one or two glasses or glasses drunk "for health" can be dramatic. The admission of such drugs, therefore, is a direct contraindication for the use of any amount of alcohol.

Often you can hear stories about how in bars and discotheques intruders intentionally mix diphenhydramine and beer. Alas, this is not fiction, but reality. A person in an unconscious or deafened state is an easy prey for criminals. And no one can foresee and predict who and with what intentions will take advantage of the temporary "shutdown" of the victim. Therefore, be extremely careful not to mix strong drugs and alcohol. The mistake can be very expensive.