A manufacturer of carvedilol suggests that patients should not drink alcohol while on carvedilol.1 Manufacturers of other types of beta blockers do not have information or recommendations regarding the specific use of beta blockers while drinking alcohol.2-11
Excessive alcohol consumption causes about 16% of hypertension cases worldwide,12,13 and drinking more than two alcoholic drinks per day raises the risk of high blood pressure.14,15 Excessive alcohol consumption is also associated with risk of myocardial infarction, hypertension, and heart failure.16
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 states that if alcohol is consumed, it should be in moderation—up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men—and only by adults of legal drinking age.17 For those who choose to drink, moderate alcohol consumption is recommended.
References
- Auro-Carvedilol [package insert]. Ontario, CA: Aurobindo Pharma Inc.; 2013.
- Trandate [package insert]. Oakville, ON: Prometheus Laboratories Inc.; 2010.
- Tenormin [package insert]. Conovanas, PR: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; 2011.
- Metoprolol succinate extended-release tablets [package insert]. Sodertalje, Sweden: AstraZeneca AB; 2006.
- Lopressor [package insert]. East Hanover, NJ: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; 2008.
- Levatolol [package insert]. Smyrna, GA: Schwarz Pharma; 2010.
- Innopran XL [package insert]. Cranford, NJ: Akrimax Pharmaceuticals; 2003.
- Coreg CR [package insert]. Ciales, PR: GK Pharmaceuticals Contract Manufacturing Operations; 2008.
- Coreg [package insert]. Ciales, PR: GK Pharmaceuticals Contract Manufacturing Operations; 2008.
- Bystolic [package insert]. St. Louis, MO: Forest Pharmaceuticals; 2011.
- APO-Carvedilol [package insert]. Toronto, Canada: Apotex Pharmaceutical Holdings Inc.; 2015.
- Puddey IB, Beilin LJ. Alcohol is bad for blood pressure. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2006;33(9):847-852.
- Husain K, Ansari RA, Ferder L. Alcohol-induced hypertension: Mechanism and prevention. World J Cardiol. 2014;6(5):245-252.
- Taylor B, Irving HM, Baliunas D, et al. Alcohol and hypertension: gender differences in dose-response relationships determined through systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction. 2009;104(12):1981-1990.
- Fuchs FD, Chambless LE, Whelton PK, Nieto FJ, Heiss G. Alcohol consumption and the incidence of hypertension: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Hypertension. 2001;37(5):1242-1250.
- Djoussé L, Gaziano JM. Alcohol consumption and heart failure: A systematic review. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2008;10(2):117-120.
- 2015 – 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8 ed: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture; 2015.
