Alcohol and Arthritis Medications

Safety When Taking Celebrex, Meloxicam, Hydroxychloroquine, and More

Many people who take arthritis medications are unsure whether or not they are allowed to drink alcohol. Others don't even think to question if that's an ill-advised combination.

Hands holding a pill bottle
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People tend to think that warnings pertain to everyone but themselves. It's hard to think of yourself as needing a warning, or being fallible, or mortal. Maybe that's just human nature. Sometimes, we need stern reminders and, unfortunately, tragic events often deliver those reminders. Too often, the reminder comes after the death of a well-known person due to overdose. But, it shouldn't take a news event to remind us. The information is attached to every prescription bottle we pick up at the pharmacy.

Every prescription bottle has tiny stickers attached that direct proper use or warn us of dangers. While the stickers or labels may be small, the message they carry is not meant to be missed or disregarded. When is the last time you paid any attention to those little stickers? Check your prescriptions. Depending on the specific medication, you will see something like this:

Caution: Do not use with alcohol or non-prescribed drugs without consulting the prescribing practitioner.

Do not drink alcoholic beverages when taking this medication.

I'd call the warnings mostly clear. Why do I say mostly? Some people still seem confused by how literal these warnings are meant to be. So, let's make it clear, once and for all. People with chronic diseases, such as arthritis, tend to take several different medications. A review of the medications commonly taken by people with arthritis turns up the following information about drinking alcohol while taking the drugs.

NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)

NSAIDs include Motrin (ibuprofen), Naprosyn (naproxen), Celebrex (celecoxib), and Mobic (meloxicam), among others. NSAIDs may cause bleeding or ulcers in the stomach or intestine. These problems may develop at any time during treatment, may happen without warning symptoms, and may cause death. The risk may be higher for people who take NSAIDs long-term, elderly people, those in poor health, or those who drink three or more alcoholic drinks per day while taking NSAIDs. Simply put, the chance of developing an ulcer or bleeding increases with alcohol use.

Acetaminophen (Brand Name Tylenol)

Acetaminophen is used as monotherapy or it is also used as an ingredient in certain pain medications, such as Vicodin. There is an increased risk of acute liver failure in people who take acetaminophen at high doses, long-term, or among those who drink alcohol.

DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs)

DMARDs include methotrexate and Arava (leflunomide), Azulfidine (sulfasalazine, and Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine). People taking methotrexate are advised to avoid alcohol, including beer, wine, and hard liquor, because of the increased risk of liver disease. Some healthcare providers suggest that an occasional, celebratory drink (such as on your birthday or other special occasions) may not be harmful, but only abstinence is 100% guaranteed harmless.

Corticosteroids (Such as Prednisone)

Corticosteroids can cause stomach bleeding. Use of alcohol while using steroids may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

People with arthritis also may be prescribed sleep medications, antidepressants, or muscle relaxers. These drugs, in combination with alcohol, can also have serious consequences.

The Bottom Line

Medications used to treat arthritis have risks of their own, primarily involving the stomach, intestines, or liver. Alcohol increases those risks. Discuss the matter with your healthcare provider and your pharmacist to be perfectly clear about why it is not advisable to drink alcohol while taking arthritis medications.

4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Goldstein JL, Cryer B. Gastrointestinal injury associated with NSAID use: a case study and review of risk factors and preventative strategies. Drug Healthc Patient Saf. 2015;7:31-41. doi:10.2147/DHPS.S71976

  2. Yoon E, Babar A, Choudhary M, Kutner M, Pyrsopoulos N. Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity: a Comprehensive Update. J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2016;4(2):131-42. doi:10.14218/JCTH.2015.00052

  3. Humphreys JH, Warner A, Costello R, Lunt M, Verstappen SMM, Dixon WG. Quantifying the hepatotoxic risk of alcohol consumption in patients with rheumatoid arthritis taking methotrexate. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017;76(9):1509-1514. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-210629

  4. Narum S, Westergren T, Klemp M. Corticosteroids and risk of gastrointestinal bleeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2014;4(5):e004587. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004587

Additional Reading
Carol Eustice

By Carol Eustice
Carol Eustice is a writer covering arthritis and chronic illness, who herself has been diagnosed with both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.