Final answer:
Certain medications should not be combined with alcohol due to the risk of increased side effects or decreased effectiveness, including antibiotics, pain medications, sleep aids, antidepressants, and medications for anxiety or seizures.
Step-by-step explanation:
When it comes to combining medications and alcohol, there are certain combinations that are considered unsafe and should be avoided. Alcohol can interact with many different substances, leading to increased side effects or decreased effectiveness of the medication. Some medications that should not be mixed with alcohol include antibiotics like metronidazole, pain medications such as opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), sleep medications, certain antidepressants, and medications for anxiety or seizures. Additionally, alcohol can interact with many over-the-counter medicines, including allergy and cold medications, which may contain sedatives that can enhance the sedative effects of alcohol.