Does Pepcid Help With Alcohol Flush?

Have you ever wondered why your face may turn bright red when you drink alcohol, but other people’s faces don’t? Alcohol flush is the culprit. Alcohol flush symptoms can be so uncomfortable you find yourself scouring the internet for solutions to get rid of it. 

Pepcid is the most common suggestion for people looking to reduce symptoms of alcohol flush. Why is an antacid the first recommendation that pops up in a search? Does it actually work? And what about mixing alcohol with medication? All these questions can feel overwhelming as you try to decide whether Pepcid is a viable solution for your alcohol flush symptoms. 

While you may be searching for a simple yes or no, the answer to the effectiveness of Pepcid for alcohol flush is a bit more complicated. To help you make a more informed decision on whether or not to pop a Pepcid before your next party, let’s take a look at the science behind Pepcid and alcohol. 

What Is Alcohol Flush?

Alcohol flush, also known as “alcohol glow” or “Asian flush,” is a reaction that occurs in some of us after consuming alcohol. 

Alcohol flush is caused by a deficiency of the two main enzymes that help break down alcohol: aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). People who experience alcohol flush have a mutation in the gene ALDH2, which contains these enzymes. 

Our livers break down alcohol, also known as ethanol, into a toxic compound called acetaldehyde. If you’ve ever had a horrible hangover, the accumulation of the highly toxic acetaldehyde is to blame. For those of us without the altered ALDH2 gene, the toxic compound is broken down more quickly with the help of the necessary enzymes. In people with the deficient form of the gene, acetaldehyde stays in the body for a longer period of time, causing what we know as alcohol flush.

Alcohol flush is an inherited trait that affects about 8% of the total population. Alcohol flush reactions are seen proportionately higher in those of East Asian descent, at above 50% versus those of other demographics at less than 30%. This is why you may be one of the lucky few who turn tomato-red after drinking. Although the symptoms of alcohol flush can be brushed off as just a nuisance when drinking, the symptoms may be a warning sign of something more serious.

The primary symptom of alcohol flush is the flushing or reddening of the face and body, hence the name. However, the flushing is also typically accompanied by a host of other uncomfortable and alarming symptoms:

• Nausea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Increased heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Difficulty breathing
• Congestion
• Hives

Our bodies use these symptoms to warn us that alcohol is highly toxic and to stop drinking. Alcohol flush is akin to other signals that our bodies send, such as stomach pain to stop us from overeating or a dry mouth to tell us to drink water. 

What Is Pepcid and How Does It Work?

Pepcid is a medication used to treat heartburn caused by acid indigestion. The antacid is part of a specific subgroup of medication known as histamine blockers (H2 blockers). H2 blockers reduce stomach acid to relieve symptoms of acid reflux and other gastrointestinal conditions.

Some common side effects of Pepcid include dizziness, headaches, constipation, and diarrhea. 

Pepcid AC and the maximum strength version take about 10-15 minutes to take effect. However, the maximum effects are seen around 1-3 hours after taking the medication. The best time to take Pepcid is about an hour before a meal to prevent symptoms of heartburn and indigestion.

Link Between Pepcid and Alcohol

Now, let’s take a closer look at the link between Pepcid and alcohol to see why heartburn medication is commonly suggested as a solution for alcohol flush. 

With an intolerance to alcohol, drinking might make your immune system react by producing histamines. Pepcid, as a histamine blocker, may reduce some symptoms of intolerance or allergy. 

Additionally, Pepcid is an antacid that reduces production of stomach acid. Our stomach acid helps break down and metabolize everything we ingest, from our breakfast smoothie to the cookie we snuck in before bed. When we drink, our stomachs begin to metabolize part of the alcohol, which Pepcid slows down. This delays the breakdown of alcohol to toxic acetaldehyde — which in turn masks or slows flushing symptoms. This theory is similar to the common recommendation to eat a hearty meal prior to drinking to lessen intoxication.

Dangers and Side Effects of Pepcid for Alcohol Flushing

Pepcid may sound like the magic pill that can prevent you from glowing like a stoplight when you drink, but unfortunately, it comes at a steep price. We have learned that Pepcid helps mask or slow the toxic effects of acetaldehyde, but the truth is, the toxins are still present and continue to harm the body. And there are some negative effects of taking Pepcid and alcohol together:

• Higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Studies show that people who experience alcohol flush have significantly higher blood alcohol levels than those who do not, when drinking the same amount of alcohol. This means that people with alcohol flush will experience greater harmful effects from drinking, even if Pepcid hides external symptoms.
• Increased alcohol consumption. Since Pepcid may briefly get rid of the telltale glow of alcohol flush, some of us might continue to drink more without the discomfort warning us to slow down.
• Medication mixing effects. The Federal Drug Administration doesn’t report any information regarding the effects of mixing Pepcid and alcohol. The safety of mixing Pepcid and alcohol is inconclusive, although there are not many reported harmful effects or negative interactions. However, mixing any medication with alcohol has risks, and Pepcid alone has side effects for some people.
• Higher risk for cancer. Acetaldehyde — which results from the breaking down of alcohol — is a carcinogen. Studies have found that those of us experience alcohol flush are at a greater risk of developing cancer. For those without the ALDH2 deficiency, acetaldehyde is broken down into acetate, then water and carbon dioxide to be eliminated. People with alcohol flush have difficulties metabolizing the carcinogen — leaving it to linger in the body.

Mixing Pepcid With Other Heartburn Medication

We have touched on mixing Pepcid with alcohol, but some people wonder if you can take Pepcid with other antacids. Is the more the merrier? Pepcid and Tums are both antacids, but they contain different compounds. Pepcid reduces stomach acid while Tums neutralizes it. In the case of using it to reduce alcohol flush, both medications work similarly. So, can you take Pepcid and Tums together? Yes, but it’s no more effective, and it can lead to dangerous levels of calcium. 

For those who experience heartburn symptoms, a different category of heartburn medication, proton pump inhibitors (PPI), may be more appropriate. The slow release of these medications helps the effect last for several days; however, alcohol can still irritate the stomach, which consequently can increase heartburn symptoms.

Helpful Tips To Reduce Alcohol Flush

Pepcid is effective in reducing some symptoms of alcohol flush, but it comes at a heavy cost. Let’s take a look at some healthier and more effective ways to reduce alcohol flush. 

• Stay hydrated. Drinking water won’t magically get rid of your glow, but it may help reduce hangover symptoms the next day. Much like Pepcid, staying hydrated is just a small Band-Aid for over drinking.
• Choose drinks with a low alcohol level. If you still choose to have a drink now and again, opt for a drink with low alcohol content to help reduce the toxic levels of acetaldehyde in the body.
• Reduce consumption of alcohol. The most effective way to prevent alcohol flush is to reduce your consumption of alcohol or stay away from alcohol altogether. You can still join in on the fun by recreating your favorite drink alcohol-free, as a mocktail. While temporary solutions can mask the symptoms of flushing, the harmful effects of ignoring the body’s warning signs are something you won’t want to overlook. 

The Bottom Line

It may be true that Pepcid reduces some unwanted alcohol flush symptoms. But the pill is a small Band-Aid for the larger issue, and it can cause more harm than good. Every now and again taking a Pepcid to hide the dreaded red glow may not be particularly detrimental, but in the long run, there can be serious adverse consequences. Now that you know the ins and outs of Pepcid and alcohol, you can make a more informed choice on whether or not taking it is worth it for you.