Overview
- The MHRA warns that mixing alcohol with common medicines, including cough syrups and painkillers, can cause dangerous and unexpected effects such as increased drowsiness and impaired coordination.
- People are cautioned not to double-dose paracetamol, as many cold and flu remedies already contain it and combining products can lead to accidental overdose.
- Five tips emphasize avoiding alcohol interactions, checking labels for paracetamol, not taking expired medicines, reading patient leaflets, and not sharing prescription drugs.
- The agency notes that festive socialising and travel increase the likelihood of simple misunderstandings, with MHRA’s Leigh Henderson urging basic precautions to prevent harm.
- The public is asked to report adverse effects through the Yellow Card scheme and to use NHS 111 for medical advice or 999/A&E in emergencies.