Painkillers, alcohol & feeling sick

Hi,

Please don't write any nasty comments as I am asking on behalf of my husband for my own curiosity and his actions do not reflect what I would do.

So hubby had a tooth pulled yesterday and is on pain killers - ibuprofen & panadeine extra. Not that I would, and I know your not meant too, but last night he had a few beers and again tonight. Last night, except for being in a great deal of pain he was fine. During dinner tonight he said he felt really off and had to go lie down. I assume it is because he's had alcohol while having pain killers. Would you agree? Should he just rest it off or as he's mixed the two, should he seek medical attention?

What does it say on his medication? Does it say anything about side effects with alcohol, or can you research it? I thought while it wasn't recommended that there weren't huge issues with mixing the two. Hope he's ok.

One says nothing the other says dont operate machinery and alcohol may decrease your ability to do so anway.

I would say the combo of all three has caused the reaction, I have to be careful with panedine extra it makes me break out in a cold sweat, I get dizzy and feel sick if I haven't eaten enough. Guessing that something similar is happening to your dh. I have also heard drinking with teeth problems is bad as it enters your blood stream faster but that could be a myth!

I think I would just let him sleep it off. If he's still feeling off in the morning, or gets any worse then take him to a doctor.

I would get him to double check he is taking the right dose of meds - if he's taking them regularly they build up in your system a bit. Paracetamol & ibuprofen can both put a strain on your liver & even upset your liver enzymes, so it may be that he couldn't metabolize the alcohol like he would normally. Also, alcohol & codeine are both depressants so if he's had too much of either it could slow heart rate & breathing. Definitely get it checked out if he starts to feel worse or looks clammy or passes out or doesn't bounce back.

And if his level of pain increases def go back to dentist/surgeon who pulled the tooth, because alcohol in the first 3 days is definitely something that can cause a dry socket. I wouldn't wish that kind of pain on anyone.

Some people have bad reactions to codeine so it could be that alone. Everyone is different. Sure the alcohol alone won't help. But unless he's taking high doses and panadeine extra is less than forte it shouldn't cause too many side effects. Codeine on even small amounts can cause nausea and light headed in some people. He may just have a sensitivity to it.

Thanks everyone. He is still in a great deal of pain today but not feeling off. If he's still in pain tomorrow, I'll be making him go back to the dentist. Didn't know about the dry socket thing, I'll be telling him about that!

Yeah the dry socket thing is awful - other signs include bad, bad breath and pain that radiates up the jawbone, ear, across face etc. It's quite a different sort of pain to the normal tenderness that you would expect after a tooth removal. If there's any suspicion of a dry socket at all, go back sooner rather than later, they will put a lump of stuff in there which brings instant relief.