Low-testosterone medications and alcohol interaction

Examples: Androderm, Androgel, Axiron, First-Testosterone cream, First-Testosterone moisturizing cream, Fortesta, Testim, Vogelxo, Danazol, DHEA, Fluoxymesterone (Androxy tablet), Oxymetholone (Anadrol-50), Testosterone undecanoate (Jatenzo), Methyltestosterone (Methitest), Testopel Pellets

What happens when you take medications and alcohol together?

Medications and alcohol can react in many ways. For example, medications can increase effect of alcohol. When that happens, you can feel drunk faster. Or you can feel drunk even after drinking less alcohol. Or your hangover can stay longer. Alcohol can also increase blood levels of medications. More medicine in your blood means you can get more side effects. Read more about how alcohol reacts with medications.

Can low-T medications increase or decrease blood levels of alcohol?

We don't know if low-T medications increase or decrease blood levels of alcohol. Discuss alcohol use with your doctor. Your doctor knows your medical history best. Your doctor can make recommendations about safe alcohol use.

Can alcohol increase or decrease blood levels of low-T medications?

We don't know if alcohol increases or decreases blood levels of low-T medications. Discuss alcohol use with your doctor. Your doctor knows your medical history best. Your doctor can make recommendations about safe alcohol use.

Can alcohol and low-T medications react in other ways?

Yes. Alcohol and low-T medications can react in other ways. You might not get these reactions. But be aware these can happen.

Low-T medications can cause your body to retain water and sodium (edema and swelling of body parts). Alcohol can also cause your body to retain water. Be careful if you have heart problems, kidney problems, or liver problems.

Low-T medications can affect how you feel (aggressive, emotional, moody). Alcohol can also affect your emotions. Be careful if you use these together. You might feel emotional and moody.

Low-T medications can decrease your blood glucose. Alcohol can also decrease your blood sugar. The risk is higher if you skip meals or eat at irregular hours. When your blood sugar is too low, you can feel confused, tired, sweaty, anxious, shaky, dizzy, hungry. Be very careful if you want to drive or work on machines.

Low-T medications can increase your blood pressure. Regular use of alcohol for long time can also increase your blood pressure. If you keep taking low-T medications and keep drinking for many months or years, your blood pressure can go up. Watch your blood pressure.

Low-T medications can hurt your liver. Alcohol also can hurt your liver. If you keep taking low-T medications and keep drinking for many months or years, you can hurt your liver.

Regular drinking affects your liver function. If you have been drinking for several years, your liver might have become weaker. Your liver might not be able to metabolize (get rid of) medications. You can get more side effects from medications.

You might not get these reactions. But be careful. Some of these reactions happen if you keep taking low-T medications and keep drinking for many months or years When you go to doctor for annual exam, tell the doctor about your alcohol use and low-T medications. Your doctor can do tests to make sure everything is okay.

Special precautions

The risk of serious reaction can be even higher on days when you are tired, dehydrated, had a long day at work, didn't have enough sleep (read more about dangerous situations to avoid).

Did you just start taking low-T medication? Or did the doctor just change your dose? Your body still might be adjusting to the medication. Avoid alcohol till your body adjusts okay to medication.

Frequent questions

Can alcohol make low-T medications ineffective?

No. Alcohol does not make low-T medications ineffective.

Can alcohol make low-T medications toxic?

No. Alcohol does not make low-T medications toxic.

I am a regular drinker. I have been drinking for several months (or years). My doctor just prescribed low-T medication. What precautions I should take?

Tell your doctor about your drinking. Regular use of alcohol affects many body functions. For example, if you have been drinking for several years, your liver might have become weaker. That means your liver might not be able to metabolize (get rid of) medications. Your doctor can test your liver. Then your doctor can choose the best medication for you. Or your doctor might give you lower dose of medication.

Page last updated: 26-August-2019