You can sometimes drink small amounts of alcohol with ibuprofen, but it is not risk‑free and is generally better to avoid the combination. The more you drink or the more often you take ibuprofen, the higher the risk of side effects.
Main risks
- Ibuprofen already irritates the stomach lining, and alcohol adds to this, so together they can increase the chance of stomach pain, ulcers, and even gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Both alcohol and ibuprofen can strain the kidneys (and, with heavy alcohol use, the liver), so combining them raises the risk of kidney damage, especially with high doses or long‑term use.
- Side effects like dizziness or drowsiness can also be worse when both are used together, which may affect coordination and safety.
When it may be safer
- For most healthy adults who take low, occasional doses (for example 200–400 mg) and have only one standard drink, the risk is generally low, though not zero.
- Guidance from some health sources suggests limiting or avoiding alcohol while taking ibuprofen, especially if you use ibuprofen regularly or at higher doses.
- If you have a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding, kidney or liver disease, or you drink heavily, you should not mix the two and should speak to a clinician first.
Timing tips
- Ibuprofen’s effects last about 4–6 hours, and the drug can remain in your system for up to around 10 hours.
- Some experts recommend leaving at least 4–6 hours between alcohol and ibuprofen, and many advise closer to 10 hours, especially after heavy drinking, to lower risk.
- For hangovers, using ibuprofen while alcohol is still in your system can further irritate the stomach, so non‑drug measures (water, rest, food) are usually safer.
Practical advice
- If you already combined them but only had a small dose of each and feel well, you are unlikely to have serious problems; stop drinking, hydrate, and eat something light.
- Seek urgent medical care if you notice black or bloody stools, vomiting blood, severe stomach pain, trouble urinating, chest pain, or unusual shortness of breath after mixing them.
- For personalized advice, especially if you take other medicines or have health conditions, consult a doctor or pharmacist before drinking on ibuprofen.
