What Causes Headache After Having Wine?

Posted on Mon, 17 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 Answered on

Thu, 11 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello,

I had 3 - 4 glasses of wine at a party yesterday and had a headache this morning. 16 hours after my last drink I took 1 325 mg tylenol. Been reading some scary things on the internet - do you think I did something dangerous?

I am 60 years old, 145 lbs. I do usually have a glass of wine most days but I don't get drunk.

Thanks,
XXXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No, not at all dangerous

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Only one dose of tylenol is not going to harm. It is the chronic use of alcohol and tylenol that may cause adverse effects on liver and kidney.

Do you have any problem/side effect right now?

What did you read from internet? Please let me know, so I can clear your doubts.

I will be happy to help you further,

Regards,

Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (22 minutes later)

I have just been reading that tylenol taken after drinking can cause liver failure as alcohol depletes the enzymes necessary to detoxify the tylenol. Also the dosage for this is not mentioned so not sure if as little as 325 mgs can cause a problem. i hardly ever take Tylenol anyway but i do like some wine in the evenings. That is why I am concerned. Last time I took tylenol before this was 3 weeks ago when I had a tooth pulled but that was only for 1 day. Didn't drink then.

Thanks,
XXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
it is very safe dose, no need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for follow up.

Whatever you read is write up to some extent. But please note the following points.

Tylenol can cause liver damage when it is taken in large dose at a time. Large dose means at least more than 2000 mg at a time. And that is also not severe damage, it is reversible. Recommended maximum dose of tylenol is 3000 to 3500 mg in divided dosage.

Person, who is taking more alcohol regularly and already suffering from liver dysfunction (highly elevated SGPT and ultrasound showing liver damage) , has more chances to have such liver failure chances with tylenol than the person who are not regular drinker. And in this case also 325 mg rarely causes such failure because tylenol is also given in such dose with liver problem also.

In your case there is intake of wine. Wine contains alcohol around 10-15% which is almost one third to one fourth of alcohol concentration in whiskey (around 40 %). At age of 60 if you have no past history of any liver problem, your liver is working properly, So only 325 mg tylenol is not at all to do any serious side effect.
And your past intake of tylenol before 3 weeks without any harm suggests you can tolerate it well.

So dear XXXXXXX just relax and try to get rid of apprehension of such liver problem.

Hope I have answered your query.
If still any query there, I will be happy to answer.
If not, you can close the discussion and if feasible give your feedback so I can improve service.
In future you can contact me directly if you wish with this link: http://bit.ly/drchintansolanki

Regards,

Dr.Chintan Solanki

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju