Both prednisone and alcohol can irritate the stomach lining, and combining them increases the risk of GI bleeding and ulcers. Alcohol can also worsen prednisone's effects on blood sugar, bone density, and immune function. Long-term use of both substances compounds these risks significantly.
How This Interaction Works (Mechanism)
Prednisone reduces the protective prostaglandin and mucus layer in the stomach while alcohol directly irritates and erodes the gastric mucosa through its cytotoxic effects on epithelial cells. Additionally, both prednisone and alcohol independently raise blood glucose levels (prednisone through gluconeogenesis stimulation, alcohol through impaired insulin sensitivity), which can be problematic for diabetic patients or those at risk.
Source: Prednisone prescribing information (FDA label via DailyMed): precautions for peptic ulcer and latent diabetes. The label does not discuss alcohol directly
Limit alcohol consumption while taking prednisone. If you are on a short course (less than 2 weeks), occasional light drinking is unlikely to cause serious problems for most people. For long-term prednisone use, discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor. Avoid drinking on an empty stomach. Watch for signs of stomach bleeding (dark stools, stomach pain, vomiting).
Check More Drug Interactions
Use our free interaction checker to search thousands of drug, supplement, and food combinations.
Open Interaction CheckerKeep a multi-drug routine straight
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Sources and standards behind this page
What a drug interaction does, and how strongly it is supported, is documented in public labeling and federal safety references rather than in any one summary, and the sources below are the primary ones. They are linked so a reader can check a claim without taking this page's word for it.
- DailyMed carries the current FDA labeling for every marketed drug product, including the warnings and drug interaction sections.
- Drugs@FDA is the federal database of approved drug products and their approval documents.
- FDA: Drug interactions, what you should know explains how drug-drug, drug-food and drug-condition interactions are described on labels.
- FDA Drug Safety Communications publishes the agency's safety alerts and label changes as they are issued.
- FDA MedWatch is the program for reporting and reviewing adverse events, including suspected interactions.
- openFDA provides public access to FDA labeling and adverse event data.
- MedlinePlus drug information is the National Library of Medicine's consumer reference for what a medicine is and how it is taken.
- NIAAA: Harmful interactions documents which medicines interact with alcohol and how.
- NCCIH: Herb-drug interactions summarises the evidence on interactions between herbal products and medicines.
- National Library of Medicine maintains the drug and health databases the sources above draw on.
This page describes how this interaction works and where it is documented. It is not medical advice: a prescriber or pharmacist decides what applies to a particular patient and medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prednisone and Alcohol have a moderate interaction that requires caution. While some patients may take both under medical supervision, the combination can cause adverse effects. Talk to your doctor before combining these medications, and do not adjust doses on your own.
Both prednisone and alcohol can irritate the stomach lining, and combining them increases the risk of GI bleeding and ulcers. Alcohol can also worsen prednisone's effects on blood sugar, bone density, and immune function. Long-term use of both substances compounds these risks significantly.
Yes. Anytime you are taking multiple medications, supplements, or substances, you should inform your doctor and pharmacist. They can evaluate your specific risk factors (age, kidney function, other medications, medical conditions) and determine whether the Prednisone and Alcohol combination is safe for you, or whether adjustments are needed.
Related Resources
Get Drug Safety Alerts
Leave your email for updates on FDA warnings, new drug interactions, and patient safety information. We have not started sending yet, and we will only email when we do.