You can sometimes have a small amount of alcohol on certain prescribed steroids, but in general it is safest to avoid drinking or keep it very limited, because alcohol and steroids together increase health risks.
Why mixing is risky
- Both alcohol and many steroids (like prednisone or anabolic steroids) can stress the liver, so combining them can increase the chance of liver damage, especially at higher doses or with long-term use.
- Steroids and alcohol can both irritate the stomach and gut, raising the risk of gastritis or ulcers, particularly if you binge drink or drink on an empty stomach.
- Corticosteroids suppress the immune system, and alcohol also weakens immune defenses, so using them together can make infections more likely or harder to recover from.
Other health effects
- Steroids can raise blood pressure and blood sugar; alcohol can worsen both, which is especially important if you have hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease.
- Anabolic or testosterone-type steroids plus alcohol can reduce testosterone function, worsen mood or aggression, and undermine performance or muscle gains.
Practical advice
- If you are on a short, high-dose course (for example, prednisone for a flare), most medical sources recommend not drinking at all until you finish the course.
- If your doctor says a small amount is acceptable, keep it to no more than 1–2 standard drinks, avoid binge drinking, and stop if you notice stomach pain, dizziness, unusual fatigue, or worsening of your condition.
- Always check with your prescriber or pharmacist, because the answer depends on which steroid you are taking (corticosteroid vs anabolic), the dose and duration, and your own liver, heart, and metabolic health.
If you tell what specific steroid you are on and why (for example, prednisone for asthma vs anabolic steroids for bodybuilding), more tailored guidance can be given, but final clearance should always come from your own clinician.
