Ipren contains ibuprofen, and Alvedon contains paracetamol. The risks involving alcohol differ between these medicines and depend on the dose, your drinking and your health.
Alcohol can increase the risk of serious side effects from some painkillers. Here we explain the differences between ibuprofen and paracetamol, relevant product warnings and when you need medical help.
The table summarizes important risks and product warnings involving alcohol and commonly used painkillers:
| Medicine | Risk | Details |
| Ibuprofen | Increased risk of stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. | Combining ibuprofen with alcohol can increase the risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding. |
| Paracetamol | Risk of liver injury with an excessive dose. | Paracetamol overdose can cause severe liver injury. Liver health, long-term heavy drinking and undernutrition can affect the risk. |
| Alvedon | Specific alcohol warning in the patient leaflet. | The Swedish patient leaflet for Alvedon states that the medicine should not be used together with alcohol. |
| NSAIDs | Increased risk of bleeding in the stomach and intestines. | Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach and intestinal bleeding when taking NSAIDs. |
| General | Different medicines have different risks. | There is no single percentage describing how alcohol affects the breakdown of all medicines. Follow the advice for the specific product. |
The table describes possible risks, rather than saying that serious injury occurs every time. Your dose, other medicines, health and drinking need to be taken into account.
Ipren is used to relieve pain and reduce fever. It is an anti-inflammatory medicine; it does not treat the influenza virus itself. The active ingredient in Ipren is ibuprofen.
According to 1177, alcohol together with NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can increase the risk of bleeding in the stomach and intestines. Factors affecting the risk include previous stomach ulcers, the dose, drinking and other medicines.
Common risks of combining Ipren and alcohol
There are several risks associated with taking Ipren while drinking alcohol. Leaving a few hours between them does not guarantee safety; ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice about your situation. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Stomach problems: Alcohol and ibuprofen can irritate the stomach lining. This can lead to stomach ulcers and bleeding that require medical treatment.
- Kidney effects: Ibuprofen can affect kidney function, particularly with dehydration or existing kidney disease.
- Increased risk of bleeding: Alcohol can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding when taking ibuprofen. Previous stomach ulcers and certain other medicines, such as blood thinners, make an individual assessment particularly important.
Read the Swedish patient leaflet for Ipren. If you have had stomach ulcers or have reduced kidney function, speak to a healthcare professional about whether ibuprofen is suitable and how alcohol affects your risk.
Alvedon, which contains paracetamol, is another commonly used medicine for pain relief. Although paracetamol is gentler on the stomach lining than ibuprofen, for example, there are other risks to consider.
The Swedish patient leaflet for Alvedon states that the medicine should not be used together with alcohol. Excessive doses of paracetamol can cause severe liver injury even without alcohol. If you have alcohol problems or liver disease, Alvedon should not be used without a doctor’s advice.
Other risks when combining Alvedon and alcohol
For paracetamol, the dose and liver health are important. Also follow the alcohol warning for the specific product.
- Follow the product warning: For Alvedon, the Swedish patient leaflet states that the medicine should not be used together with alcohol. The dose, liver health and drinking also affect the risk assessment.
- Overdose can cause liver injury: Seek medical help immediately if you have taken too much paracetamol, even if you feel well. Symptoms can appear later; do not wait for them.
- Liver disease or alcohol problems: In these situations, use of Alvedon should be assessed by a doctor.
The advice depends on which medicine you are taking and your individual risk factors. Ibuprofen and paracetamol have different risk profiles; follow the patient leaflet and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure.
Ibuprofen and alcohol
Ipren’s Swedish patient leaflet warns that alcohol can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding during treatment with ibuprofen.
A small amount of alcohol does not guarantee safety for everyone. Previous stomach ulcers, kidney disease, dehydration and other medicines can make individual advice important.
Paracetamol and alcohol
Janusinfo emphasizes that excessive doses of paracetamol can cause very serious liver injury and that alcohol can increase the risk. Liver injury may not become apparent for a couple of days, so an overdose requires medical care as quickly as possible.
The Swedish patient leaflet for Alvedon advises against using it together with alcohol. If you have alcohol problems or liver disease, you need a doctor’s advice. This does not mean that every recommended dose taken with a small amount of alcohol inevitably causes liver injury.
Ibuprofen and paracetamol are both commonly used for pain relief, but they have different risks when taken with alcohol.
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen, which is found in Ipren, is an NSAID. According to information from 1177, alcohol together with ibuprofen increases the risk of stomach problems, such as ulcers and bleeding.
Ibuprofen can also affect kidney function. Dehydration and existing kidney disease are important risk factors. Ask a healthcare professional to assess whether ibuprofen is suitable for you if you have these risk factors.
Paracetamol
Paracetamol, which is found in Alvedon, is generally gentler on the stomach than Ipren. This does not mean that paracetamol is safer to use together with alcohol.
For paracetamol, liver injury from overdose is a particularly important risk. Follow the alcohol warning for the specific product. Alvedon’s Swedish patient leaflet states that the medicine should not be used together with alcohol. Liver problems, undernutrition and long-term heavy drinking require particular advice; injury is not an automatic consequence of every combined exposure.
Follow the advice for the specific medicine and seek individual guidance when needed. These general suggestions reduce risks but do not guarantee that side effects will be avoided:
- Always read the patient leaflet: It contains important information about how to take the medicine and the advice about alcohol.
- Avoid making other health conditions worse: If you have liver or kidney problems, ask a doctor or pharmacist about pain relief and alcohol (Swedish-language article).
- Consult a doctor if you are unsure: As a general rule, consult a doctor if you are uncertain about how painkillers and alcohol affect your body.
Seek emergency help for vomiting blood, black tarry stools, severe breathing difficulty or collapse. Call 112 in Sweden or the local emergency number where you are; do not drive yourself. Paracetamol overdose needs immediate medical assessment even if you feel well.
Follow the patient leaflet and discuss any uncertainty with a doctor or pharmacist. If you are dependent on alcohol, ask a healthcare professional for a safe plan for stopping drinking; stopping abruptly can cause dangerous withdrawal.
