Mixing Paxlovid and Alcohol: Interactions and Side Effects
Paxlovid has been used to treat COVID-19 since December of 2021 and has helped keep many high-risk patients out of the hospital. Often doctors and pharmacists will warn patients about mixing their medication with alcohol. Paxlovid is one medication that can have adverse effects on the body and may increase its risk of side effects. Understanding the potential risks of mixing Paxlovid and alcohol is crucial to ensure patient safety and medication effectiveness.
What is Paxlovid? Understanding Its Uses and Benefits
Paxlovid is an oral antiviral medication available through prescription only and used in treating COVID-19. It is composed of two active ingredients: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. Nirmatrelvir works by stopping COVID-19 from replicating while ritonavir helps to increase and maintain nirmatrelvir levels in the body. Paxlovid helps to reduce the viral load and alleviate COVID-19 symptoms severity.
When administered during the early phases of infection, Paxlovid has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization and death in COVID-19 patients. It has been shown to shorten the recovery time and improve outcomes for patients, including reducing the risk of developing Long COVID.
Paxlovid also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can alleviate symptoms like fever and respiratory distress. It should be taken within five days of developing symptoms to reduce the virus’ severe damage to the body. The standard dose is three Paxlovid pills twice daily for five days.
How Alcohol Affects the Body
To understand the risks associated with mixing Paxlovid with alcohol, it is essential to know how alcohol affects the body. When alcohol is consumed, it is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream via the stomach and small intestine. The liver metabolizes alcohol from the bloodstream into acetic acid and converts it into carbon dioxide and water to be eliminated from the body.
Alcohol affects various parts of the body and its functions. It has a strong effect on the central nervous system, slowing down brain activity, impairing judgment, decreasing coordination, and slowing reaction times. Its effects on the cardiovascular system include increased heart rate and blood pressure. Alcohol also has an effect on the gastrointestinal system, irritating the lining of the stomach and impairing the absorption of nutrients in the intestines.
Moderate alcohol consumption is relatively safe for most healthy individuals. However, chronic excessive drinking can lead to many long-term health problems including liver disease, cardiovascular disease, pancreatitis, and an increased risk of certain cancers. There is also a risk of developing alcohol dependence or addiction with frequent alcohol abuse.
Potential Interaction Between Paxlovid and Alcohol
Potential interactions between Paxlovid and alcohol vary depending on factors such as dosage, amount of alcohol ingested, the individual’s overall metabolism, and overall health. Alcohol can inhibit the enzyme needed to metabolize Paxlovid, meaning it can lead to higher concentrations of the medication in the bloodstream which increases the risk of negative side effects. It can also lower the effectiveness of Paxlovid.
As mentioned earlier, alcohol can also interfere with the intestines’ ability to absorb certain nutrients and medication. Consuming alcohol while on any medication can also hinder the liver’s ability to metabolize. Overloading the liver by consuming alcohol with Paxlovid can lead to increased concentrations of either or both substances in the bloodstream.
Common Side Effects of Paxlovid
Paxlovid is usually well-tolerated and most people should not experience serious side effects. Some of the more common side effects of Paxlovid include:
- Changes to taste, most commonly a bitter or metallic taste in the mouth known as “Paxlovid mouth”.
- Diarrhea, however, diarrhea is also a common symptom of COVID so it is unknown whether Paxlovid is the cause.
- High blood pressure.
- Headaches, can be relieved with over-the-counter pain relievers. However, be careful with pain relievers that contain acetaminophen as these medications also have a negative impact on the liver.
- Liver damage, especially in individuals with pre-existing liver issues.
Risks of Combining Alcohol with Paxlovid
Combining Paxlovid and alcohol can increase the risk of adverse side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, and liver toxicity. Both substances can cause drowsiness, so combining them can have a cumulative sedative effect. Individuals can experience increased drowsiness and impaired cognitive function, such as dizziness, confusion, and a higher risk of accidents or injuries. It is also important to note that alcohol in general lowers the body’s immune function and absorption of nutrients, which can hinder the body’s ability to fight off the COVID virus. Alcohol is also a dehydrating agent and can increase inflammation in the body, both of which are issues in the body when dealing with a bacterial or viral infection like COVID-19.
Recommendations for Alcohol Consumption While on Paxlovid
It is best to totally avoid alcohol consumption when taking Paxlovid. However, for individuals with alcohol use disorder, this recommendation can be difficult to adhere to. Stopping alcohol use cold turkey when dependence has developed can result in dangerous withdrawal symptoms. If you cannot stop drinking while on Paxlovid because of withdrawal symptoms, make sure to drink plenty of water and other hydrating drinks, eat healthy meals, drink as little alcohol as possible, and do not put yourself in dangerous situations such as driving. This is also a time to reflect on your relationship with alcohol and whether you need help to stop drinking. Alcohol use disorders will get worse with time, so if you cannot stop drinking while on Paxlovid, it may be time to receive alcohol addiction treatment.
Signs of Adverse Reactions to Watch For
While Paxlovid is generally well tolerated, some people can experience a severe allergic reaction and should seek out a healthcare provider immediately if they experience the following signs:
- Hives
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
- Throat tightness
- Hoarseness
- Swelling of the mouth, lips, or face
- Skin rash
Drinking while on Paxlovid can also be dangerous, especially when binge drinking. If you or someone else is drinking while on Paxlovid and experiences extreme drowsiness or cannot be woken, you should seek out emergency care. Paxlovid is a medication that can cause overdose so you should never take more than prescribed.
Seeking Help for Alcohol Use While on Medication
The signs of alcohol abuse and dependence can sometimes be subtle. The common misconception of alcohol dependence is that it always shows signs on the severe side. But alcoholism can develop slowly over time. If you are having trouble drinking even for short periods, such as when you are sick or under medication, you may have a problem with alcohol. Getting help as soon as possible is key to stopping the progression of alcohol use disorder.
WhiteSands Treatment is a network of drug and alcohol treatment centers across Florida with comprehensive care that goes above and beyond industry standards. We offer a full continuum of care, including medical detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and aftercare services, to meet each patient’s addiction severity. Every program is individualized to address underlying issues, including co-occurring disorders, and provide patients with therapies and services that resonate best with them.
We believe that our patients’ quality of life while in treatment plays a significant role in their recovery. WhiteSands provides a comfortable, peaceful atmosphere with state-of-the-art amenities to ensure patient comfort. Our clinicians use a unique combination of evidence-based practices along with holistic treatments and life skills programming to give each patient their best chance at recovery.
If you would like to learn more about our alcohol treatment programs, please give us a call today at (877) 855-3470 to talk to one of our addiction specialists.
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
