Can you drink alcohol on statins?
Yes, for most people, in moderation. The NHS says to limit alcohol on statins, as too much can raise the risk of liver problems. And on two statins, a breakfast drink matters too.
On this page
Can you drink alcohol on statins?
Usually, yes. The NHS pages for atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin and pravastatin don’t ban it. They say to limit it, because too much can raise the risk of side effects like liver problems.
They don’t give a statin number, so use the NHS cholesterol advice. Drink no more than 14 units a week on a regular basis. If you drink as much as 14, spread it over 3 or more days.
- 14 units a week or belowWithin the NHS low-risk guideline.
- Above 14 units a weekOver the NHS low-risk guideline.
Treat 14 units as a weekly budget, not a Saturday one. Going over doesn’t mean your liver will be harmed.
And 14 isn’t a statin limit. The NHS statin pages just say drinking too much can make side effects more likely.
Next, add up a usual week, drink by drink.
How many drinks is 14 units?
About 6 pints of average-strength beer.
| Drink | Units |
|---|---|
| Single 25ml shot of spirits (40%) | 1 |
| Small 125ml glass of wine (12%) | 1.5 |
| 330ml bottle of beer (5%) | 1.7 |
| Pint of lower-strength beer or cider (3.6%) | 2 |
| Standard 175ml glass of wine (12%) | 2.1 |
| 440ml can of beer (5.5%) | 2.4 |
| Pint of stronger beer or cider (5.2%) | 3 |
| Large 250ml glass of wine (12%) | 3 |
Source: NHS
Five large glasses of wine is 15 units. That’s over the line in one week.
Need more help counting? See alcohol units and the weekly guideline.
Does it matter which statin you take?
For alcohol, not much. Each NHS page says to keep it down. The difference is grapefruit juice.
| Statin | Alcohol | Grapefruit juice |
|---|---|---|
| Atorvastatin | Limit it. It can raise the risk of liver side effects. | No more than 1 or 2 small glasses a day. |
| Simvastatin | Don’t drink too much. It can raise the risk of side effects. | Avoid it. It can stop the medicine working properly. |
| Rosuvastatin | Don’t drink too much. It can raise the risk of liver side effects. | No warning on the NHS page. |
| Pravastatin | Limit it. It can raise the risk of liver side effects. | No warning on the NHS page. |
Sources: NHS atorvastatin; NHS simvastatin; NHS rosuvastatin; NHS pravastatin
That breakfast drink is grapefruit juice. NICE says some foods, like grapefruit juice, may interfere with statins.
Not sure which statin you take? The name is on the box. Check the leaflet, or ask a pharmacist before you add a new medicine or supplement.
Why does alcohol matter on a statin?
A rare but serious statin side effect is an inflamed liver (hepatitis). It can turn your skin or the whites of your eyes yellow.
The NHS asks you to tell your doctor if you regularly drink a lot before you start. People with severe liver disease should not take statins.
When your liver is checked on a statin
- 1
Before you start
You’re asked how much you drink, and a blood test checks your liver (liver enzymes).
- 2
2 to 3 months
A blood test checks your liver and cholesterol again.
- 3
12 months
One more blood test checks your liver.
- 4
After that
Only if there’s a reason to.
Source: NICE NG238
A raised result doesn’t always rule a statin out. NICE says not to routinely stop someone starting one over this. That applies if their enzymes are raised but less than 3 times the upper limit of normal (the top of the usual range).
Give an honest answer when you’re asked about drinking. More on these tests: blood tests on statins and the liver function test.
How to drink less on a statin
Six ways to keep your drinking down
- Set a limit before you start drinking.
- Pick a small glass of wine over a large one, or bottled beer over pints.
- Swap to lower-strength drinks. Check the ABV (the % on the label).
- Eat first, and have water or soft drinks between alcoholic ones.
- Have several drink-free days each week.
- Keep taking your statin unless you’re advised to stop.
Sources: NHS: tips on cutting down; NHS atorvastatin
Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without your prescriber.
Drink every day and find it hard to stop? If your body depends on alcohol, stopping overnight could be harmful. Talk to your GP first, or call Drinkline free on 0300 123 1110.
Cutting down can also lower your risk of stroke and heart problems. See alcohol and your heart.
When to speak to a GP
Get help if:
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow (yellow skin can be harder to see on brown or black skin). Call NHS 111, as this can be a serious side effect.
- You get muscle cramps, severe pain and weakness, maybe with a high temperature or red or brown pee. Call NHS 111.
- You have muscle pain, tenderness or weakness you can’t explain. NICE says to seek medical advice.
- You regularly drink a lot, or you’re struggling to cut down. Tell your GP.
- You think you’re having another serious side effect, like severe stomach pain, a swollen throat or tongue, or trouble breathing. Call NHS 111.
Call 999 if someone stopping drinking has hallucinations, severe tremors, or seizures or fits.
Muscle aches on a statin? See statins, muscle aches and CoQ10.