Alcohol interacts with about 20% of medicines, increasing or reducing the effect of some and itself being affected by others. Abstaining from alcohol altogether when on medication is usually unnecessary as long as people are fully aware of the likely effects. For detailed advice ask your pharmacist.

It has been estimated that as many as 760 people a year are killed in traffic accidents caused by the sedative effects of antidepressants. Whilst the message about drinking and driving seems to be getting through, many people are not aware that some medicines can be just as dangerous in affecting our ability to drive safely, and the problem is made worse when the medicines are mixed with alcohol.

Medicines which can cause drowsiness include tranquillisers, antihistamines, painkillers, antidepressants, blood pressure tablets and some cough and cold remedies. Sleeping tablets can cause drowsiness the morning after they are taken. Even if you do not feel sleepy the sedative effect of these drugs impairs concentration and dulls reaction time. It has been estimated that a sleeping tablet can slow reactions by one tenth of a second the following day, the equivalent of adding 12 feet to the stopping distance of a car travelling at 70 mph.

When these medicines are taken with alcohol the drowsy feeling is made even worse. People who drive or operate heavy machinery on a cocktail of medicines and alcohol put themselves and others at risk.

So if you are taking medication over Christmas be careful about driving. Read the label on the bottle and follow its instructions. If in doubt seek the advice of your pharmacist.