If you are looking to enjoy a night out on the town but have stomach discomfort, you may be wondering, “How long after pepto can i drink alcohol?” Pepto Bismol is a popular over-the-counter medication that provides relief from nausea, indigestion, heartburn and diarrhea. Its main active ingredient is bismuth subsalicylate. This chemical works by blocking stomach acid and reducing inflammation in the digestive tract. This is why people use it when they are travelling in areas where they may be exposed to local bacteria that cause traveler’s diarrhea.
While there are no medical reports of someone being harmed by combining Pepto and alcohol, doctors generally warn against this. This is because drinking interferes with how the liver breaks down and metabolizes medications. This can lead to less effectiveness of the medicine and increased side effects.
Additionally, if you take antacids like Pepto before drinking, the medicine will be working to lower your acid levels while you are consuming alcohol which can cause your stomach lining to become irritated. Over time, this can result in an ulcer. The most common symptom of an ulcer is black stools.
However, despite these warnings, you will still find some bars serving a mixed drink called a Pepto-Bismopolitan. This cocktail combines 2 shots vodka, 1 shot pepto bismol, 1/2 shot lime juice and 1 shot cranberry juice. While this combination is not recommended, many people have been using it for years to cure hangovers. However, we believe that preventing hangovers is better than treating them. This means limiting your alcohol consumption, eating before you go out and taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.