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- National Institutes of Health: Alcohol and Opioids: Possible Interactions of Clinical Importance
- National Institutes of Health: Alcohol and Opioids: Possible Interactions of Clinical Importance
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Beer & Oxycodone
Oxycodone is a narcotic pain medication derived from the opium poppy. It is prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain and is among the most frequently abused prescription drugs. When taken with beer and other depressants, oxycodone can cause dangerous health effects including slowed breathing and cardiac arrest.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Uses
Oxycodone is a potent pain reliever similar to morphine. It is often prescribed for post-surgical pain resulting from dental work and other invasive procedures. Other uses for oxycodone include treating lower back pain, severe arthritis, acute injury and other forms of moderate to severe pain. Beer is an alcoholic beverage brewed from fermented grain and hops. It is mainly consumed for its mood- and mind-altering effects and has no known medicinal uses. Less often, beer may be used in cooking, though not in significant amounts.
- Oxycodone is a potent pain reliever similar to morphine.
- It is often prescribed for post-surgical pain resulting from dental work and other invasive procedures.
Pharmacology
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Oxycodone attaches to the body's opiate receptors to produce its effects. It directly affects the central nervous system to alter the brain’s perception of pain, making it an efficient analgesic. For some people, oxycodone produces side effects that may be perceived as pleasurable, such as euphoria and increased energy. These effects can lead to abuse and addiction. Beer is a central nervous system depressant that increases levels of a neurotransmitter known as GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid. Elevated levels of GABA caused by beer consumption can lead to effects like loss of coordination, reduced inhibitions and memory impairment.
- Oxycodone attaches to the body's opiate receptors to produce its effects.
- For some people, oxycodone produces side effects that may be perceived as pleasurable, such as euphoria and increased energy.
Interactions
While each substance can be dangerous on its own, combining beer and oxycodone is even more risky. Because both substances slow breathing and heart rate, consuming them together increases the risk for respiratory depression, cardiac arrest and death. Combining the two also puts the user at risk for self-injury because of impaired coordination and motor control. Other effects include nausea, vomiting, memory loss and reduced cognitive functioning.
- While each substance can be dangerous on its own, combining beer and oxycodone is even more risky.
- Because both substances slow breathing and heart rate, consuming them together increases the risk for respiratory depression, cardiac arrest and death.
Addiction and Abuse
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When used frequently, both beer and oxycodone are capable of producing addiction. According to the National Institutes of Health, alcohol and opiates interact in the brain to produce a type of addiction that is often harder to treat than either addiction alone 1. Withdrawal from alcohol can be fatal in some instances and should only be performed under medical supervision, according to Psychology Today 2. While opiates like oxycodone do not generally cause fatal withdrawals, some of the newer rapid detoxification methods used to help addicts get clean can cause death and other complications.
- When used frequently, both beer and oxycodone are capable of producing addiction.
- While opiates like oxycodone do not generally cause fatal withdrawals, some of the newer rapid detoxification methods used to help addicts get clean can cause death and other complications.
Warning
Taking oxycodone and alcohol together increases the risk for fatal overdose. Never attempt to drive or operate machinery under the influence of either substance. If overdose is suspected, seek immediate medical attention.
Related Articles
References
- National Institutes of Health: Alcohol and Opioids: Possible Interactions of Clinical Importance
- Psychology Today: Alcohol, Benzos, and Opiates--Withdrawal That Might Kill You
- Abdel shaheed C, Maher CG, Williams KA, Day R, Mclachlan AJ. Efficacy, tolerability, and dose-dependent effects of opioid analgesics for low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2016;176(7):958-68. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.1251
- U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus. Oxycodone. Revised October 15, 2019.
- Cepeda MS, Fife D, Ma Q, Ryan PB. Comparison of the risks of opioid abuse or dependence between tapentadol and oxycodone: results from a cohort study. J Pain. 2013;14(10):1227-41. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2013.05.010
- Darke S, Larney S, Farrell M. Yes, people can die from opiate withdrawal. Addiction. 2017;112(2):199-200. doi:10.1111/add.13512
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. Treating Prescription Drug Addiction.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. Research Report Series - Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction.
Writer Bio
Based in Las Vegas, Tracii Hanes is a freelance writer specializing in health and psychology with over seven years of professional experience. She got her start as a news reporter and has since focused exclusively on freelance writing, contributing to websites like Wellsphere, Education Portal and more. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication arts from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.