How Soon Can You Drink Alcohol After Tonsillectomy?
There is no official waiting time; wait until you have stopped prescription pain medicine and your throat has healed, and ask your surgeon. The NIAAA warns that opioid pain relievers with alcohol cause drowsiness, slowed breathing and overdose risk, and that acetaminophen with alcohol can damage the liver. MedlinePlus advice after tonsil removal is cool drinks and soft foods, avoiding acidic drinks, and getting help for bright red bleeding.
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When can you drink alcohol after a tonsillectomy?
We found no official guidance that gives a number of days. The safe approach is to wait until you no longer need prescription pain medicine and your throat has healed, and to ask the surgeon who did the operation.
Pain medicine is the other reason to wait. The NIAAA lists opioid pain relievers such as Percocet and Vicodin as causing drowsiness, dizziness, slowed or difficult breathing and an increased risk of overdose with alcohol, and says over-the-counter pain relievers with alcohol can cause stomach upset, bleeding and ulcers, and liver damage with acetaminophen (Tylenol).
What to drink and eat while you heal (MedlinePlus)
- Soft foods and cool drinks ease throat pain.
- Avoid orange and grapefruit juice and other acidic drinks, hot and spicy foods, and rough foods like crunchy raw vegetables.
- Avoid medicines that contain aspirin; acetaminophen is a good choice for pain after surgery.
Bleeding
MedlinePlus says to call the provider for bright red blood from the mouth or nose, and to go to the emergency room or call 911 for severe bleeding.
When you do drink again, count it with our standard drink calculator.
People also ask
Can you drink alcohol after a tonsillectomy?
Not while you take prescription pain medicine: the NIAAA warns opioid painkillers with alcohol cause slowed breathing and overdose risk. Ask your surgeon.
How long after tonsillectomy can you drink alcohol?
No official number of days exists; wait until you are off pain medicine and healed, and follow your surgeon's advice.
What can you drink after a tonsillectomy?
Cool drinks; avoid acidic drinks like orange or grapefruit juice (MedlinePlus).
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