Describe one way alcohol can change the way a medicine affects your body.

• A. It increases the rate of drug absorption.
• B. It has no effect on medicines.
• C. The body may absorb the drug or alcohol more slowly, increasing the length of time that alcohol or drug is in the body.
• D. It always makes medicines more effective

Answer: (C)

Alcohol can alter how medicines work by changing how the drug is absorbed and how long it stays in the body. When alcohol is present, it can slow gastric emptying and irritate the stomach, so the medicine enters the bloodstream more slowly. It can also interfere with enzymes that metabolize drugs, slowing elimination. The result is that the drug (and sometimes the alcohol) remains in the body longer, shifting the timing and strength of effects and potentially increasing side effects or interactions. This is why the statement about absorption slowing and extending the time the substance is in the body is the best answer. It isn’t always the case that absorption speeds up, nor is there no effect, and medicines aren’t always made more effective by mixing with alcohol.