Alcoholic beverages and non-prescription drugs…a bad combination for the kidneys

WHAT IS IT?

The study “Light to moderate drinking and therapeutic doses of acetaminophen: an assessment of risks for renal dysfunction” examined the potential effect of non-prescription analgesics such as acetaminophen (commonly used for headaches, colds, etc.) in combination with moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages on kidney functions.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

The results suggest that even therapeutic doses of acetaminophen combined with light to moderate amounts of alcohol can have detrimental effects on the kidneys, even more so, if the person has hypertension, diabetes and suffers from obesity.

1 drink = 360 ml of beer, 120 ml of wine, 30 ml of spirits

Light-to-moderate consumption is defined as:  up to 1 drink/day for women and up to 2 drinks/day for men

Ndetan H, Evans MW, Singal AK, Brunner LJ, Calhoun K, Light to moderate drinking and therapeutic doses of acetaminophen: an assessment of risks for renal dysfunction, 2018, Preventive Medicine Reports 12: 253-258, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.10.013.

For more information about this article, read the scientific abstract here.