Is it safe to take ibuprofen with alcohol?

The Bottom Line for Most People

For many healthy adults, a single standard dose of ibuprofen taken occasionally is unlikely to cause harm if you had a small amount of alcohol.

But the risk is not zero.

Alcohol and ibuprofen can both irritate the stomach lining. Together, they can make heartburn, nausea, and gastritis more likely, and in some people they can contribute to ulcers or bleeding.

Most guidelines and clinicians recommend avoiding alcohol when you are taking NSAIDs (a drug class that includes ibuprofen), especially if you are using them more than once in a while. If you are using ibuprofen for ongoing pain or inflammation, mixing it with alcohol becomes a more meaningful safety concern.

Important: If you have black, tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or you faint, seek urgent medical care. These can be signs of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Why Mixing Them Can Be Risky (Stomach, Kidneys, and More)

Stomach and intestinal bleeding

Ibuprofen reduces protective prostaglandins in the stomach and intestines. That can make the lining more vulnerable to acid and to injury.

Alcohol can inflame and erode the stomach lining on its own, and it can also worsen reflux and vomiting, which further irritate the upper GI tract. When you combine the two, you are stacking two irritants, which is why clinicians worry most about ulcers and bleeding.

This risk rises if you take higher doses, take it on an empty stomach, take it for several days in a row, or have a history of ulcers.

Kidney strain and dehydration

Ibuprofen can reduce blood flow within the kidneys, particularly when you are dehydrated or have conditions that already reduce kidney reserve.

Alcohol is a diuretic for many people, meaning it can increase urination and contribute to dehydration. Add in sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or not eating and drinking normally, and the kidneys can be under more stress than you realize.

Most people will not notice anything immediately. But in higher risk situations, the combination can contribute to acute kidney injury.

Liver considerations

Ibuprofen is not usually the main pain reliever clinicians worry about for direct liver toxicity, but heavy alcohol use changes the overall safety picture.

People who drink heavily may also have liver disease, poor nutrition, or clotting problems, all of which can increase the consequences of bleeding. If you have known liver disease, it is especially important to get individualized guidance from a healthcare professional on which pain reliever is safest for you.

Who Should Avoid the Combination or Be Extra Cautious

Some people are much more likely to be harmed by mixing alcohol with ibuprofen.

If any of these apply, consider a Non-Pharmacological Intervention first, such as ice or heat, rest, gentle mobility work, or physical therapy strategies, depending on the cause of pain.

Practical Safer-Use Guidance (If You Already Drank)

If you had a drink and now you are in pain, the safest move is to pause and think about your risk factors.

For lower risk adults, many clinicians suggest waiting until you are no longer feeling the effects of alcohol, you are eating normally, and you are well hydrated before taking ibuprofen. Avoid taking it right before bed if you have reflux or nausea, since symptoms can worsen when lying down.

A few practical steps can reduce (not eliminate) risk:

Pro Tip: If you are drinking because you are out socializing, consider planning ahead for pain issues. Non-drug options like pacing activity, supportive footwear, or gentle strength training for recurring aches can reduce how often you feel you need NSAIDs.

When to Stop and Get Medical Advice

Stop using ibuprofen and contact a healthcare professional promptly if you notice symptoms that could signal bleeding, kidney stress, or an allergic reaction.

Seek urgent care now if you have:

If your pain is lasting more than a few days, or you find you need ibuprofen frequently, it is worth discussing longer-term options with a clinician. Sometimes the best approach is addressing the underlying trigger (for example, ergonomics, sleep, or recovery habits), rather than relying on repeated dosing.

(And if you are wondering, no, topics like Chlorine-Washed Chicken, Free PSA, probiotics, lactose, Randomized Sleep Restriction Trials, the Scoville scale, or general health trade-offs do not meaningfully change the safety of mixing ibuprofen and alcohol for most people.)