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Is It Safe to Combine Diuretics and Alcohol?

Marlene de Wilde
Marlene de Wilde

Alcohol is a diuretic itself so combining other diuretics and alcohol may produce a greater diuretic effect and increase any side effects produced by the drug or herb. A common side effect that has been reported is a reduction in blood pressure which may cause dizziness, especially when standing up suddenly from a reclining or sitting position. Dehydration is a very real risk when using either diuretics or drinking alcohol and this is doubled when combining diuretics with alcohol.

Diuretics are drugs or herbs that increase the flow of urine, which is termed diuresis. They increase the amount of sodium and chloride excreted from the body through the urine, which then draws excess water from the body. Hypertension and edema, or swelling caused by fluid in the body's tissues, are two common conditions treated by diuretics. Edema can be caused by eating too much salt, sunburn or conditions such as heart failure, kidney disease and cirrhosis of the liver. Diuretics, or water pills, are prescribed to keep the swelling down. In the case of hypertension, diuretics help the body get rid of excess salt and fluids which lowers blood pressure and makes it easier for the heart to pump.

Alcohol increases the effects of diuretic drugs.
Alcohol increases the effects of diuretic drugs.

Combing diuretics and alcohol increases the risk of the side effects associated with water pills. Frequent urination, arrhythmia or an abnormal heart rhythm, muscle cramps, dehydration and dizziness are some of the effects exacerbated by the combination of diuretics and alcohol. Many people feel dizzy or lightheaded especially when they stand up suddenly, and drinking alcohol will make the problem worse. Diuretics are often taken concurrently with other drugs so the interaction between these drugs and alcohol also needs to be considered.

Diuretics are often prescribed to alleviate high blood pressure.
Diuretics are often prescribed to alleviate high blood pressure.

Perhaps the most obvious connection between diuretics and alcohol is that the diuretic effect of alcohol itself is a significant one. Alcohol blocks the release of the anti-diuretic hormone in the body which is needed for water re-absorption, stimulating the body to produce more urine. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to dehydration, of which a dry mouth is a common symptom. Should a person be taking water pills which also increase the amount of urine expelled from the body, then the danger of dehydration becomes very real A good rule of thumb is to never drink alcohol when taking drugs of any kind, as some combinations can be very dangerous. At the very least, drinking alcohol may render the drug ineffective.

Discussion Comments

ysmina

@turkay1-- Wow, that's crazy! I didn't know it's possible to drink too much water.

What about bleeding? Don't diuretics make the blood more watery so if you were to cut yourself, you might bleed more than usual?

candyquilt

@ddljohn-- I think your post brings up a good point. One more reason it's not a good idea to combine diuretics is because it's going to make you drink lots of water. That can also be dangerous, especially if you drink too much water too quickly.

There is something called water poisoning where there is more water entering the body than the body can absorb at one time. It can cause swelling of tissues and even kidney failure.

There was a girl who died this summer in Europe from water poisoning. She drank something like four liters of water in a half hour and died from swollen tissues in the brain.

ddljohn

Once I took aspirin which is a diuretic and then had a couple of beers. I had also drank a lot of coffee earlier that day. I have never urinated so much in my life. At the end of the day, I felt like I had lost all of the water in my body and drank bottles and bottles of water to make up for it. It was just not a good feeling.

Now I make sure I never take multiple diuretics in the same day. Alcohol, caffeinated drinks and diuretic medications all do the same thing, remove water from the body. But we need a certain amount of water for all the functions our body needs to perform so it can be dangerous.

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    • Alcohol increases the effects of diuretic drugs.
      By: digitex
      Alcohol increases the effects of diuretic drugs.
    • Diuretics are often prescribed to alleviate high blood pressure.
      By: Monkey Business
      Diuretics are often prescribed to alleviate high blood pressure.
    • At the very least, alcohol consumption can render a diuretic or other drug ineffective.
      By: Sergey Nivens
      At the very least, alcohol consumption can render a diuretic or other drug ineffective.
    • Diuretics may cause people to urinate frequently.
      By: aerogondo
      Diuretics may cause people to urinate frequently.
    • Diuretics can help the body get rid of excess fluids and sodium levels that can result in hypertension.
      By: dambuster
      Diuretics can help the body get rid of excess fluids and sodium levels that can result in hypertension.