Herb & supplement monograph

Wine Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by ·Updated July 2026
What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Wine interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Wine is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Wine is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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Wine Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

From the HelloPharmacist Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

Based on the available evidence, the overall risk of a clinically significant Wine drug interaction is high for most people, because wine is alcohol and it interacts seriously with hundreds of common medications. Most of the listed interactions are rated major, and many are documented in human studies rather than theory alone.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The clearest dangers are with disulfiram, where any alcohol triggers a severe reaction, and with CNS depressants such as sedatives and sleep medicines, since wine adds to their drowsiness and other effects. Wine can also make warfarin act unpredictably, and it raises bleeding risk with aspirin and NSAID pain relievers. Alcohol must never be combined with flibanserin because of fainting and severe low blood pressure, and the tyramine in wine can push blood pressure to dangerous levels with MAOI antidepressants. People on diabetes or blood pressure medicines may also see their control thrown off.

What the rest of the list means

Not every pairing on this long list carries the same weight. Many risks depend on how much and how often someone drinks; problems like reduced phenytoin or doxycycline levels appear mainly with chronic heavy use. A few, such as changes in cyclosporine or felodipine levels, come from red wine itself affecting how the body absorbs or clears the medicine.

Check your medications against Wine

Based on HelloPharmacist’s Wine interaction data and reviewed under our editorial standards.

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Wine

928 medications have a known interaction with Wine, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

658 major interactions. These combinations can be clinically significant — best avoided, or used only with close professional supervision. Always check with your pharmacist before combining them with Wine.

2,830 drugs
6-mercaptopurinePurinethol› Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, LamivudineTriumeq› Abacavir, LamivudineEpzicom› Abiraterone› Abiraterone AcetateYonsa, Zytiga› AcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose› AcebutololRhotral, Sectral› AcepromazineAtravet› AcetaminophenChildren's Tylenol, Children's Tylenol Meltaways, Tylenol, Tylenol Ex Strength› Acetaminophen, AspirinGemnisyn› Acetaminophen, Aspirin, CaffeineExcedrin, Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Migraine› Acetaminophen, Brompheniramine, PhenylpropanolamineDimetapp Cold and Flu› Acetaminophen, ButalbitalAxocet, Bancap, Bucet, Butex Forte, Esgic CF, Orbivan CF +5 more› Acetaminophen, Butalbital, CaffeineEsgic, Esgic Plus, Fiogesic, Fioricet, Repan, Tecnal +1 more› Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, CodeineEsgic with Codeine, Fioricet w/ Codeine› Acetaminophen, Butalbital, CodeineBancap w/ Codeine› Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine PhosphatePhrenilin #3› Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, PhenylephrineHycomine Compound› Acetaminophen, Caffeine, CodeineGesic C15, Gesic C30, Gesic C8, Lenoltec 1, Lenoltec 2, Lenoltec 3 +1 more› Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Codeine, SalicylamideCodalan No.1, Codalan No.2, Codalan No.3› Acetaminophen, Caffeine, DihydrocodeineDHC Plus, Panlor DC, Panlor SS› Acetaminophen, Caffeine, IsomethepteneMigralam› Acetaminophen, Caffeine, PyrilamineMidol Max Strength Menstrual› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HbrVicks Formula 44M Cough, Cold & Flu Relief› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, PhenylephrineColrex› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, DextromethorphanCoricidin II Extra Strength Cold and Flu› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan HydrobromideCoricidin HBP Maximum Strength Flu› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, PhenylpropanolamineMulti Symptom Cold Relief› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, PseudoephedrineChildren's Tylenol Cold Plus Cough, Tylenol Cold Ex Strength› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine, SalicylamideRhinogesic GG›
Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

  • Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
  • Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
  • Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
  • No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

  • Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
  • Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
  • Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

  • Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
  • Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Wine combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
  • Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
The big picture

The kinds of drugs Wine affects

Every type of medication (drug category) Wine is known to interact with. Open any category for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

All 37 drug categories Wine interacts with
AspirinCisapride (propulsid)Cns DepressantsCyclosporine (neoral, Sandimmune)Disulfiram (antabuse)ErythromycinFelodipine (plendil)Flibanserin (addyi)Hepatotoxic DrugsMonoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (maois)Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (nsaids)Phenytoin (dilantin)Warfarin (coumadin)Acitretin (soriatane)Antidiabetes DrugsAntihypertensive DrugsBupropion (wellbutrin)Cefamandole (mandol)Cefoperazone (cefobid)Cetirizine (zyrtec)Chlorpropamide (diabinese)Citalopram (celexa)Doxycycline (vibramycin)Eluxadoline (viberzi)Griseofulvin (fulvicin)H2-blockersLevocetirizine (xyzal)Levomilnacipran (fetzima)Metformin (glucophage)Metronidazole (flagyl)Narcotic DrugsSecnidazole (solosec)Sulfonamide AntibioticsTinidazole (tindamax)Tolbutamide (orinase)Varenicline (chantix)Vasodilators
Aspirin

Concomitant use may increase the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.
Concomitant use of aspirin with alcohol may increase the risk of GI bleeding.

Likelihood Probable Evidence C
Cisapride (Propulsid)

Concomitant use may increase blood alcohol levels and adverse effects.
Concomitant use of alcohol can increase blood alcohol levels and adverse effects. Also, red wine increases plasma cisapride concentrations, possibly by reducing metabolism.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Cns Depressants

Concomitant use may increase sedative and other adverse effects.
Concomitant use of alcohol with CNS depressants can increase sedative and other adverse effects, potentially through inhibition of the metabolism of certain CNS depressants.

Likelihood Likely Evidence C
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)

Red wine can reduce the levels and clinical effects of cyclosporine.
Red wine reduces plasma cyclosporine concentrations, possibly by reducing cyclosporine absorption. There is evidence the reduction in cyclosporine AUC by red wine is less in Asians (8% to 14%) than Caucasians (35% to 36%).

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Disulfiram (Antabuse)

Concomitant use may cause a disulfiram reaction.
Disulfiram can cause a disulfiram reaction when taken with alcohol. Patients taking disulfiram should not consume any alcohol.

Likelihood Likely Evidence C
Erythromycin

Concomitant use may increase blood alcohol levels and adverse effects.
Concomitant use of erythromycin with alcohol can increase blood alcohol levels and adverse effects.

Likelihood Probable Evidence C
Felodipine (Plendil)

Consumption of red wine can rapidly increase felodipine levels and adverse effects.
Red wine taken on an empty stomach can cause "dose dumping" of extended-release felodipine, possibly by changing absorption or metabolism. Red wine can delay the appearance of felodipine in plasma until 4 hours after dosing and can rapidly increase its plasma concentration, producing peak serum levels 3 to 4 times higher than when felodipine is given with water. This can cause an increase in adverse effects 5 hours after dosing.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Flibanserin (Addyi)

Concomitant use increases the risk of severe hypotension and syncope.
Alcohol use is contraindicated in patients taking flibanserin due to the risk of severe hypotension and syncope.

Likelihood Probable Evidence A
Hepatotoxic Drugs

Concomitant use of alcohol with hepatotoxic drugs may increase the risk of hepatotoxicity.
Concomitant use of excessive amounts of alcohol with potentially hepatotoxic drugs can increase the risk of liver damage.

Likelihood Probable Evidence C
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (Maois)

Concomitant use may cause hypertensive crisis.
Wine contains tyramine, which is metabolized by monoamine oxidase. Concurrent use of MAOIs with tyramine-containing beverages can lead to elevated levels of tyramine in the body. This can increase the effects of tyramine, which has been reported to cause hypertension, headache, and hypertensive crisis in numerous cases. Sensitivity to tyramine can increase up to 10-fold to 100-fold in people using an MAOI.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (Nsaids)

Concomitant use may increase the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.
Concomitant use of NSAIDs with alcohol may increase the risk of GI bleeding.

Likelihood Probable Evidence C
Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Concomitant use may decrease the effectiveness of phenytoin.
Chronic, heavy alcohol use can induce the metabolism, reducing therapeutic effectiveness of phenytoin.

Likelihood Probable Evidence C
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Alcohol can alter the effects of warfarin, although the exact effect depends on the nature of alcohol consumption.
Acute alcohol intoxication can decrease metabolism and increase the effects of warfarin. In contrast, chronic, heavy alcohol use can induce metabolism of warfarin, reducing therapeutic effectiveness.

Likelihood Probable Evidence C
Acitretin (Soriatane)

Concomitant use increases the risk of long-term teratogenic effects.
Alcohol increases the transesterification of acitretin to etretinate, which is a teratogen that can remain in the body for years after discontinuation of acitretin. Patients of reproductive potential should avoid alcohol completely while taking acitretin and at least 2 months after discontinuation.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Antidiabetes Drugs

Concomitant use may interfere with blood glucose control.
Alcohol can impair gluconeogenesis and may increase the risk of acute hypoglycemia when used concomitantly with antidiabetes drugs. However, the carbohydrates in wine may also worsen glycemic control in patients with diabetes.

Likelihood Probable Evidence C
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use may interfere with blood pressure control.
Clinical research suggests that consumption of alcohol can increase both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, acute alcohol intoxication can also increase the risk of hypotension and additive effects with antihypertensive drugs.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

Theoretically, concomitant use may increase the risk of adverse effects from alcohol.
In patients taking bupropion, there have been rare reports of adverse psychiatric events or reduced alcohol tolerance. Additionally, in chronic alcohol users, abrupt discontinuation of alcohol while taking bupropion may increase the risk of seizure.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cefamandole (Mandol)

Concomitant use may cause a disulfiram-like reaction.
Cefamandole can cause a disulfiram-like reaction when taken with alcohol.

Likelihood Possible Evidence C
Cefoperazone (Cefobid)

Concomitant use may cause a disulfiram-like reaction.
Cefoperazone can cause a disulfiram-like reaction when taken with alcohol.

Likelihood Possible Evidence C
Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of CNS impairment.
Cetirizine may cause somnolence in some patients. There is some concern that taking cetirizine in conjunction with alcohol might reduce alertness and impair CNS performance.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Chlorpropamide (Diabinese)

Concomitant use may cause a disulfiram-like reaction.
Chlorpropamide can cause a disulfiram-like reaction when taken with alcohol.

Likelihood Probable Evidence C
Citalopram (Celexa)

Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of adverse effects from alcohol.
Some case reports suggest that citalopram may reduce alcohol tolerance and increase the risk of adverse effects from alcohol.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Doxycycline (Vibramycin)

Chronic alcohol use might reduce the levels and clinical effects of doxycycline.
Although acute alcohol ingestion does not seem to significantly impact the pharmacokinetics of doxycycline, chronic alcohol ingestion has been shown to significantly reduce the half-life and serum concentration of doxycycline.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Eluxadoline (Viberzi)

Chronic or excessive alcohol use might increase the risk of pancreatitis from eluxadoline.
In clinical studies, the risk of pancreatitis with eluxadoline was increased in chronic alcohol users and in those with acute intake of 3 or more alcoholic beverages daily.

Likelihood Possible Evidence A
Griseofulvin (Fulvicin)

Concomitant use may cause a disulfiram-like reaction.
Griseofulvin can cause a disulfiram-like reaction, including tachycardia and facial flushing, when taken with alcohol.

Likelihood Possible Evidence C
H2-Blockers

Concomitant use might increase blood alcohol levels and adverse effects.
Concomitant use of the H2-blockers cimetidine and ranitidine with low doses of alcohol (0.15 grams/kg) might increase blood alcohol levels and adverse effects. Effects with higher doses of alcohol (0.3-1.5 grams/kg) are variable.

Likelihood Possible Evidence C
Levocetirizine (Xyzal)

Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of CNS impairment.
Levocetirizine may cause somnolence in some patients. There is some concern that taking levocetirizine in conjunction with alcohol might reduce alertness and impair CNS performance.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)

Theoretically, concomitant use may increase the absorption and elimination of levomilnacipran.
In vitro research shows that alcohol increases the release of levomilnacipran from extended-release capsules, resulting in complete drug release in 4 hours. This effect has not been evaluated in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Metformin (Glucophage)

Concomitant use may increase the risk of lactic acidosis.
Concomitant consumption of large amounts of alcohol can increase the risk of lactic acidosis with metformin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence C
Metronidazole (Flagyl)

Concomitant use may cause a disulfiram-like reaction.
Although there is some disagreement over the likelihood of a disulfiram-like reaction with concomitant use of alcohol and metronidazole, prescribing materials recommend discontinuing alcohol intake during the use of metronidazole. In the US, it is recommended to discontinue alcohol during and for at least three days after therapy with metronidazole; in Canada, it is recommended to discontinue alcohol during and for at least 1 day after therapy with metronidazole.

Likelihood Possible Evidence C
Narcotic Drugs

Concomitant use of large amounts of alcohol may decrease the metabolism of narcotic drugs.
Concomitant consumption of large amounts of alcohol can decrease the metabolism of narcotic drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence C
Secnidazole (Solosec)

Concomitant use may cause a disulfiram-like reaction.
Although high quality evidence is lacking, there is concern that secnidazole can cause a disulfiram-like reaction when taken with alcohol. Prescribing materials in the US recommend discontinuation of alcohol during and for at least two days after therapy with secnidazole.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Sulfonamide Antibiotics

Concomitant use may cause a disulfiram-like reaction.
Sulfonamide antibiotics can cause a disulfiram-like reaction when taken with alcohol.

Likelihood Possible Evidence C
Tinidazole (Tindamax)

Concomitant use may cause a disulfiram-like reaction.
Although high quality evidence is lacking, there is concern that tinidazole can cause a disulfiram-like reaction when taken with alcohol. Prescribing materials in the US recommend discontinuation of alcohol during and for at least three days after therapy with tinidazole.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Tolbutamide (Orinase)

Theoretically, concomitant use may cause a disulfiram-like reaction.
Tolbutamide can cause a disulfiram-like reaction when taken with alcohol.

Likelihood Possible Evidence C
Varenicline (Chantix)

Theoretically, concomitant use may increase the risk of adverse effects from alcohol.
There have been reports of patients experiencing increased effects from alcohol while taking varenicline. Some cases involved unusual and sometimes aggressive behavior and were accompanied by amnesia. Caution patients to use alcohol with caution when taking varenicline, as it may alter alcohol tolerance.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Vasodilators

Concomitant use may increase the risk of acute hypotension.
Acute alcohol intoxication can increase the risk of hypotension and additive effects with vasodilators.

Likelihood Probable Evidence C
Monograph

Wine: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed July 2026 ·
The bottom line

Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented grapes and is not a true dietary supplement or medicine. Despite popular claims about heart benefits, the alcohol it contains carries real health risks, and no amount of drinking can be recommended to improve health. If you drink, do so in moderation, and avoid alcohol entirely during pregnancy or if you have certain medical conditions.

Part used
Fermented grapes (or other fruit)
Common forms
Red wine, white wine, rosé, sparkling wine, fortified wine
People commonly use it for
  • Social and relaxation use
  • Heart health (popular belief)
  • Antioxidant intake
  • Aiding digestion (traditional use)
  • Culinary flavoring

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance
OverallUse caution

Wine contains alcohol, which can harm health and become habit-forming even in moderate amounts.

PregnancyLikely Unsafe

When used orally; alcohol is a teratogen. Use during pregnancy is associated with significant risk of spontaneous abortion, fetal alcohol syndrome, an...

Read the full pregnancy detail
BreastfeedingLikely Unsafe

When used orally. Alcohol is secreted in breast milk. Chronic use can cause abnormal psychomotor development and disrupt the infant's sleep-wake patte...

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Jump to a section

Overview

Wine is an alcoholic drink made by fermenting grapes or other fruits. During fermentation, natural sugars are converted into alcohol by yeast. Most wine contains about 10% to 15% alcohol by volume.

Wine comes in many types, including red, white, rosé, sparkling, and fortified wines like port and sherry. It has been made and enjoyed for thousands of years across many cultures, mainly as a social beverage and with food.

While wine is sometimes talked about as if it were a health tonic, it is first and foremost an alcoholic beverage. Any plant compounds it contains come along with alcohol, which carries its own risks.

How it works

Wine contains ethanol (alcohol), which affects the brain and body, along with plant compounds from grapes such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and resveratrol. These compounds act as antioxidants in laboratory studies.

Much of the interest in resveratrol comes from test-tube and animal research, where it appeared to affect inflammation, blood vessels, and certain aging-related pathways. These effects have not been clearly shown to carry over into real benefits in people drinking wine.

Importantly, the amount of resveratrol in a glass of wine is very small. Any possible benefit from these compounds must be weighed against the well-known harms of alcohol itself.

Effectiveness

Does Wine work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by .

Evidence overview · 17 uses evaluated
5 Possibly effective 12 Insufficient evidence
How to read these evidence grades

Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.

1EffectiveStrong, consistent evidence it works.
2Likely EffectiveGood evidence, though not yet conclusive.
3Possibly EffectiveSome evidence suggests a benefit.
4Possibly IneffectiveSome evidence it may not help.
5Likely IneffectiveFairly strong evidence it doesn’t help.
6IneffectiveStrong evidence it doesn’t work.
7Insufficient Reliable Evidence to RateToo little research to say either way.
Possibly Effective Cognitive function
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Consumption of up to one alcoholic drink daily is associated with better cognitive function in older males.

Possibly Effective Diabetes
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Light to moderate consumption of alcohol, including wine, is associated with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes and a reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in those with existing type 2 diabetes. However, the benefits of wine in the management of type 2 diabetes are unclear.

Possibly Effective Helicobacter pylori
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Moderate to high alcohol consumption seems to reduce the risk of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Possibly Effective Osteopenia
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Observational research suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may improve bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal patients.

Possibly Effective Overall mortality
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Light to moderate alcohol consumption seems to reduce the risk of all-cause mortality in middle-aged or older adults.

Also studied for 12 conditions — evidence insufficient to rate
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Alzheimer disease
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

It is unclear if wine consumption is beneficial for preventing Alzheimer disease.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Anxiety
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

It is unclear if alcohol consumption is beneficial for anxiety.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Atherosclerosis
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

It is unclear if moderate alcohol consumption is beneficial for atherosclerosis.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Cancer
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

It is unclear if wine consumption is beneficial for preventing cancer or cancer-related mortality. The available evidence suggests variable effects depending on cancer type.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Most observational research suggests that light to moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages is associated with a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and a reduced risk of cardiovascular-related death. However, clinical research is limited. Also, binge drinking or regular consumption of 3 or more alcoholic drinks per day is associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Congestive heart failure (CHF)
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

While light to moderate consumption of alcohol is associated with a reduced risk of developing CHF in older adults and a reduction in all-cause mortality in those with ischemic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, it is unclear if moderate wine consumption is associated with these benefits.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Dementia
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

It is unclear if wine consumption is beneficial for dementia.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Depression
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

It is not clear if wine consumption is beneficial for depression.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Metabolic syndrome
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

There is limited evidence on the consumption of red wine for metabolic syndrome.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Obesity
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

It is unclear if wine consumption is beneficial in patients with obesity.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

It is unclear if wine consumption is beneficial in preventing SLE in females.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Wound healing
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Although there has been interest in topical wine for wound healing, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of alcohol for this purpose.

Source & disclaimer. Effectiveness ratings and evidence summaries are provided by Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) and shown as licensed. Where Natural Medicines hasn’t rated a use, HelloPharmacist’s pharmacists may add their own reviewed rating and evidence (each such entry is labeled). This is educational information, not medical advice — talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing a supplement.

Safety & precautions

Because wine contains alcohol, it should be used with caution. Drinking too much, or drinking regularly, raises the risk of liver disease, high blood pressure, certain cancers, accidents, and alcohol dependence.

People who should avoid alcohol include those with liver disease, a history of alcohol use disorder, certain heart rhythm problems, and anyone taking medicines that interact with alcohol. People with diabetes should be careful because alcohol can affect blood sugar.

Pregnancy: Avoid wine completely. No amount of alcohol is known to be safe in pregnancy, and drinking can cause serious harm to the baby. Breastfeeding: Alcohol passes into breast milk, so it is best to avoid it; if you do drink, limit the amount and wait before nursing, and talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.

Side effects

Common short-term effects of wine include flushing, drowsiness, slowed reaction time, impaired judgment, headache, and dehydration. Some people get headaches or congestion from wine, which may be related to sulfites, histamines, or tannins.

Drinking more heavily can cause nausea, vomiting, hangovers, and dangerous intoxication. Long-term or heavy use can lead to liver damage, high blood pressure, certain cancers, and addiction.

Alcohol can also worsen sleep quality, mood, and blood sugar control. People with an alcohol allergy or sensitivity should avoid wine entirely.

Wine: Reported Adverse Effects

Documented safety reports on Wine from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database, shown word-for-word from the licensed record.

Orally, the side effects of wine depend on the amount of alcohol ingested and can vary among individuals.

Most Common Adverse Effects:

Orally: Most adverse effects are associated with alcohol content and include abdominal pain, aggression, blackouts, central nervous system (CNS) depression, confusion, diarrhea, drowsiness, emotional lability, flushing, hypoglycemia, hypothermia, indigestion, lack of coordination and trouble walking, migraines, nausea, neuropathies, perceptual and sensational disturbances, and vomiting.

Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):

Orally: Chronic heavy alcohol ingestion (three or more drinks daily) can lead to amnesia, cardiac myopathy, cirrhosis, dementia, hepatotoxicity, malnutrition, myocardial infarction (MI), physical dependence, and somnolence. Other effects of chronic use are chronic cerebellar syndrome, hypomagnesemia, Korsakoff's psychosis, pancreatitis, skeletal myopathies, various types of cancer, and Wernicke's encephalopathy.

Chronic ingestion of three or more alcoholic beverages daily is associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, ischemic stroke, and hypertension. Consumption of any amount of alcohol can increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke.

Reports by condition
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) Immunologic

People who are allergic to sulfites and/or yeast might react to wine. Wine is associated with triggering asthmatic reactions in people with a history of asthma, possibly due to salicylates and/or added sulfites contained in wines. A case report describes a 33-year-old female who developed allergic reactions ranging from mild symptoms to anaphylaxis after consumption of beer or wine. The allergy was attributed to the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is used in the fermentation of both beverages.

  1. Vally H, de Klerk N, Thompson PJ. Alcoholic drinks: important triggers for asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;105:462-7.
  2. German-Sanchez A, Alonso-Llamazares A, Garcia-Gonzalez F, Matala-Ahmed B, Bartolome-Zavala B, Antepara-Ercoreca I. Allergy to beer and wine caused by Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a patient sensitized to fungi. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2021.
Asthma Pulmonary/Respiratory

Orally, wine can cause a variety of side effects due to the alcohol content. The side effects depend on the amount ingested and can vary among individuals. A common side effect includes respiratory depression. Wine is also associated with triggering asthmatic reactions in people with a history of asthma, possibly due to salicylates and/or added sulfites contained in wines.

  1. Thun MJ, Peto R, Lopez AD, et al. Alcohol consumption and mortality among middle-aged and elderly US adults. N Engl J Med 1997;337:1705-14.
  2. Bosetti C, La Vecchia C, Negri E, Franceschi S. Wine and other types of alcoholic beverages and the risk of esophageal cancer. Eur J Clin Nutr 2000;54:918-20.
  3. Bosetti C, La Vecchia C, Negri E, Franceschi S. Wine and other types of alcoholic beverages and the risk of esophageal cancer. Eur J Clin Nutr 2000;54:918-20.
  4. Vally H, de Klerk N, Thompson PJ. Alcoholic drinks: important triggers for asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;105:462-7.
Atrial fibrillation Cardiovascular

Orally, chronic heavy alcohol ingestion of three or more drinks daily is associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, atrial fibrillation, cardiac myopathy, hypertension, ischemic stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI) . Consumption of any amount of alcohol can increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke.

  1. Pearson TA. Alcohol and heart disease. Circulation 1996;94:3023-5.
  2. Thun MJ, Peto R, Lopez AD, et al. Alcohol consumption and mortality among middle-aged and elderly US adults. N Engl J Med 1997;337:1705-14.
  3. Goldberg I, Mosca L, Piano MR, Fisher EA. AHA Science Advisory: Wine and your heart: a science advisory for healthcare professionals from the Nutrition Committee, Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, and Council on Cardiovascular Nursing of the America
  4. Thadhani R, Camargo CA, Stampfer MJ, et al. Prospective study of moderate alcohol consumption and risk of hypertension in young women. Arch Intern Med 2002;162:569-74.
  5. Bosetti C, La Vecchia C, Negri E, Franceschi S. Wine and other types of alcoholic beverages and the risk of esophageal cancer. Eur J Clin Nutr 2000;54:918-20.
  6. Seiler, C. [Alcohol, the heart and cardiovascular system]. Ther Umsch. 2000;57(4):200-204.
  7. Mukamal, K. J., Maclure, M., Muller, J. E., and Mittleman, M. A. Binge drinking and mortality after acute myocardial infarction. Circulation 12-20-2005;112(25):3839-3845.
  8. Wellmann, K. F. ["Biere au cobalt". Remarks on the "Quebec myocardosis of beer drinker"]. Dtsch.Med Wochenschr. 3-15-1968;93(11):500-501.
  9. Balazs, T. and Herman, E. H. Toxic cardiomyopathies. Ann Clin Lab Sci 1976;6(6):467-476.
  10. Lauwerys, R. and Lison, D. Health risks associated with cobalt exposure--an overview. Sci Total Environ 6-30-1994;150(1-3):1-6.
  11. Hart CL, Smith GD, Hole DJ, Hawthorne VM. Alcohol consumption and mortality from all causes, coronary heart disease, and stroke: results from a prospective cohort study of Scottish men with 21 years of follow up. BMJ 1999;318:1725-9.
  12. Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, Willett WC, et al. A prospective study of moderate alcohol consumption and the risk of coronary disease and stroke in women. N Engl J Med 1988;319:267-73.
Breast cancer Oncologic

There is evidence that heavy alcohol consumption is associated with the mutation of the p53 gene in individuals with esophageal carcinoma. There is also some evidence that heavy consumption of wine is associated with the highest risk of esophageal cancer when compared with heavy consumption of beer and spirits. Chronic heavy alcohol ingestion (three or more drinks daily) can lead to mouth cancer, esophageal cancer, pharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, and liver cancer. Some research suggests an association between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, but other studies do not support this association. Daily consumption of one or more alcoholic drinks in females might increase the risk of breast cancer by 2% to 15% and increase mortality from breast cancer by as much as 30%. There is also evidence suggesting that females who consume alcohol daily have an increased risk of developing breast cancer when the daily intake of folate is 300 mcg or less. However, the association of wine intake and breast cancer risk in females may vary depending on the type of wine. Red wine results in higher levels of free testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) and lower hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels when compared with white wine. This suggests that red wine has similar activity to aromatase inhibitors and may not increase the risk of breast cancer unlike white wine.

Observational research has found that wine consumption is associated with a higher risk of developing skin cancer in females and a higher risk of invasive melanoma in both males and females.

  1. Kato H, Yoshikawa M, Miyazaki T, et al. Expression of p53 protein related to smoking and alcoholic beverage drinking habits in patients with esophageal cancers. Cancer Lett 2001;167:65-72.
  2. Bosetti C, La Vecchia C, Negri E, Franceschi S. Wine and other types of alcoholic beverages and the risk of esophageal cancer. Eur J Clin Nutr 2000;54:918-20.
  3. Bosetti C, La Vecchia C, Negri E, Franceschi S. Wine and other types of alcoholic beverages and the risk of esophageal cancer. Eur J Clin Nutr 2000;54:918-20.
  4. Thun MJ, Peto R, Lopez AD, et al. Alcohol consumption and mortality among middle-aged and elderly US adults. N Engl J Med 1997;337:1705-14.
  5. Launoy, G., Milan, C., Day, N. E., Faivre, J., Pienkowski, P., and Gignoux, M. Oesophageal cancer in France: potential importance of hot alcoholic drinks. Int J Cancer 6-11-1997;71(6):917-923.
  6. Lijinsky, W. N-Nitroso compounds in the diet. Mutat.Res 7-15-1999;443(1-2):129-138.
  7. Altieri, A., Bosetti, C., Gallus, S., Franceschi, S., Dal, Maso L., Talamini, R., Levi, F., Negri, E., Rodriguez, T., and La, Vecchia C. Wine, beer and spirits and risk of oral and pharyngeal cancer: a case-control study from Italy and Switzerland. Oral
  8. Chao, C. Associations between beer, wine, and liquor consumption and lung cancer risk: a meta-analysis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(11):2436-2447.
  9. Carstensen, J. M., Bygren, L. O., and Hatschek, T. Cancer incidence among Swedish brewery workers. Int J Cancer 3-15-1990;45(3):393-396.
  10. Goldbohm, R. A., Van den Brandt, P. A., Van, 't, V, Dorant, E., Sturmans, F., and Hermus, R. J. Prospective study on alcohol consumption and the risk of cancer of the colon and rectum in the Netherlands. Cancer Causes Control 1994;5(2):95-104.
  11. Anderson, P., Cremona, A., Paton, A., Turner, C., and Wallace, P. The risk of alcohol. Addiction 1993;88(11):1493-1508.
  12. Glynn, S. A., Albanes, D., Pietinen, P., Brown, C. C., Rautalahti, M., Tangrea, J. A., Taylor, P. R., and Virtamo, J. Alcohol consumption and risk of colorectal cancer in a cohort of Finnish men. Cancer Causes Control 1996;7(2):214-223.
  13. Ferraroni, M., Decarli, A., Franceschi, S., and La, Vecchia C. Alcohol consumption and risk of breast cancer: a multicentre Italian case-control study. Eur J Cancer 1998;34(9):1403-1409.
  14. Michaud DS, Giovannucci E, Willett WC, et al. Coffee and alcohol consumption and risk of pancreatic cancer in two prospective United States cohorts. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2001;10:429-37.
  15. Dufour MC. If you drink alcoholic beverages do so in moderation: what does this mean? J Nutr 2001;131:552S-61S.
  16. Singletary KW, Gapstur SM. Alcohol and breast cancer: review of epidemiologic and experimental evidence and potential mechanisms. JAMA 2001;286:2143-51.
  17. Singletary KW, Gapstur SM. Alcohol and breast cancer: review of epidemiologic and experimental evidence and potential mechanisms. JAMA 2001;286:2143-51.
  18. Chen JY, Zhu HC, Guo Q, et al. Dose-Dependent Associations between Wine Drinking and Breast Cancer Risk - Meta-Analysis Findings. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2016;17(3):1221-33.
  19. Shufelt C, Merz CN, Yang Y, et al. Red versus white wine as a nutritional aromatase inhibitor in premenopausal women: a pilot study. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2012;21(3):281-4.
  20. Miura K, Zens MS, Peart T, et al. Alcohol consumption and risk of melanoma among women: pooled analysis of eight case-control studies. Arch Dermatol Res. 2015;307(9):819-28.
  21. Rivera A, Nan H, Li T, Qureshi A, Cho E. Alcohol Intake and Risk of Incident Melanoma: A Pooled Analysis of Three Prospective Studies in the United States. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2016;25(12):1550-1558.
Cirrhosis Hepatic

Orally, chronic heavy alcohol ingestion (three or more drinks daily) can lead to cirrhosis and hepatotoxicity.

  1. Thun MJ, Peto R, Lopez AD, et al. Alcohol consumption and mortality among middle-aged and elderly US adults. N Engl J Med 1997;337:1705-14.
  2. Bosetti C, La Vecchia C, Negri E, Franceschi S. Wine and other types of alcoholic beverages and the risk of esophageal cancer. Eur J Clin Nutr 2000;54:918-20.
Dementia Psychiatric

Orally, wine can cause a variety of side effects which depend on the amount of alcohol ingested and can vary among individuals. Some common side effects include aggression, confusion, and emotional lability. Chronic heavy alcohol ingestion (three or more drinks daily) can lead to dementia, physical amnesia, and somnolence.

  1. Thun MJ, Peto R, Lopez AD, et al. Alcohol consumption and mortality among middle-aged and elderly US adults. N Engl J Med 1997;337:1705-14.
  2. Bosetti C, La Vecchia C, Negri E, Franceschi S. Wine and other types of alcoholic beverages and the risk of esophageal cancer. Eur J Clin Nutr 2000;54:918-20.
  3. Bushman, B. J. and Cooper, H. M. Effects of alcohol on human aggression: an integrative research review. Psychol.Bull 1990;107(3):341-354.
  4. Bosetti C, La Vecchia C, Negri E, Franceschi S. Wine and other types of alcoholic beverages and the risk of esophageal cancer. Eur J Clin Nutr 2000;54:918-20.
Dementia Neurologic/CNS

Orally, wine can cause a variety of side effects which depend on the amount of alcohol ingested and can vary among individuals. Some common side effects include blackouts, central nervous system (CNS) depression, drowsiness, lack of coordination and trouble walking, migraines, neuropathies, and perceptual and sensational disturbances. Chronic heavy alcohol ingestion (three or more drinks daily) can lead to amnesia, dementia, physical dependence, and somnolence. Other effects of chronic use are chronic cerebellar syndrome, Korsakoff's psychosis, and Wernicke's encephalopathy.

Heavy alcohol consumption (fifteen or more drinks weekly) is also associated with a higher percentage of white matter changes and larger ventricular and sulcal size on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. This suggests that heavy alcohol consumption decreases cerebral blood flow and may contribute to brain atrophy. Consumption of any amount of alcohol can increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke.

  1. Thun MJ, Peto R, Lopez AD, et al. Alcohol consumption and mortality among middle-aged and elderly US adults. N Engl J Med 1997;337:1705-14.
  2. Bosetti C, La Vecchia C, Negri E, Franceschi S. Wine and other types of alcoholic beverages and the risk of esophageal cancer. Eur J Clin Nutr 2000;54:918-20.
  3. Bosetti C, La Vecchia C, Negri E, Franceschi S. Wine and other types of alcoholic beverages and the risk of esophageal cancer. Eur J Clin Nutr 2000;54:918-20.
  4. Bechetoille, A., Ebran, J. M., Allain, P., and Mauras, Y. [Therapeutic affect of zinc sulfate on central scotoma due to optic neuropathy of alcohol and tobacco abuse]. J Fr.Ophtalmol. 1983;6(3):237-242.
  5. Leira, R. and Rodriguez, R. [Diet and migraine]. Rev Neurol. 1996;24(129):534-538.
  6. Mukamal KJ, Longstreth WT, Mittleman MA. Alcohol consumption and subclinical findings on magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in older adults: the cardiovascular health study. Stroke 2001;32:1939-46.
  7. Hart CL, Smith GD, Hole DJ, Hawthorne VM. Alcohol consumption and mortality from all causes, coronary heart disease, and stroke: results from a prospective cohort study of Scottish men with 21 years of follow up. BMJ 1999;318:1725-9.
  8. Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, Willett WC, et al. A prospective study of moderate alcohol consumption and the risk of coronary disease and stroke in women. N Engl J Med 1988;319:267-73.
Diarrhea Gastrointestinal

Orally, wine can cause a variety of side effects which depend on the amount of alcohol ingested and can vary among individuals. Some common side effects include abdominal pain, diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting.. Chronic alcohol use is also associated with pancreatitis.

  1. Thun MJ, Peto R, Lopez AD, et al. Alcohol consumption and mortality among middle-aged and elderly US adults. N Engl J Med 1997;337:1705-14.
  2. Bosetti C, La Vecchia C, Negri E, Franceschi S. Wine and other types of alcoholic beverages and the risk of esophageal cancer. Eur J Clin Nutr 2000;54:918-20.
  3. Bosetti C, La Vecchia C, Negri E, Franceschi S. Wine and other types of alcoholic beverages and the risk of esophageal cancer. Eur J Clin Nutr 2000;54:918-20.
  4. Bode, C. and Bode, J. C. Alcohol's role in gastrointestinal tract disorders. Alcohol Health Res World 1997;21(1):76-83.
  5. Pehl, C., Wendl, B., and Pfeiffer, A. White wine and beer induce gastro-oesophageal reflux in patients with reflux disease. Aliment.Pharmacol Ther 6-1-2006;23(11):1581-1586.
Malnutrition Other

Orally, chronic heavy alcohol ingestion (three or more drinks daily) can lead to malnutrition and poor glycemic control.

There is some evidence consumption of more than six beers per week is associated with a larger waist-to-hip ratio than those consuming an equivalent amount of hard liquor or wine. However, an association between moderate alcohol intake equivalent to approximately three beers per week or less and waist-to-hip ratio does not seem to exist. It is also unclear whether waist-to-hip ratios associated with the intake of wine, beer, or other alcoholic beverages have any clinical significance.

  1. Thun MJ, Peto R, Lopez AD, et al. Alcohol consumption and mortality among middle-aged and elderly US adults. N Engl J Med 1997;337:1705-14.
  2. Bosetti C, La Vecchia C, Negri E, Franceschi S. Wine and other types of alcoholic beverages and the risk of esophageal cancer. Eur J Clin Nutr 2000;54:918-20.
  3. Bosetti C, La Vecchia C, Negri E, Franceschi S. Wine and other types of alcoholic beverages and the risk of esophageal cancer. Eur J Clin Nutr 2000;54:918-20.
  4. Bobak M, Skodova Z, Marmot M. Beer and obesity: a cross-sectional study. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003;57:1250-53.
  5. Koh-Banerjee P, Chu N, Spiegelman D, et al. Prospective study of the association of changes in dietary intake, physicial activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking with 9-y gain in waist circumference among 16 587 US men. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;78:719-27..
  6. Duncan BB, Chambless LE, Schmidt MI, et al. Association of the waist-to-hip ratio is different with wine than with beer or hard liquor consumption. Am J Epidemiol 1995;142:1034-8.
DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

Adverse-effects data: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

Dosing

There is no medicinal or supplement "dose" for wine, and no amount is recommended to improve health. If a person chooses to drink, public health guidelines generally define moderate drinking as up to one standard drink per day for women and up to two for men, with a standard drink being about 5 ounces of wine.

Less is always better when it comes to alcohol, and not drinking at all is the safest choice. If you have any health conditions or take medications, check with your pharmacist or doctor before drinking.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Wine & Pregnancy

Likely Unsafe

When used orally; alcohol is a teratogen. Use during pregnancy is associated with significant risk of spontaneous abortion, fetal alcohol syndrome, and developmental and behavioral dysfunction in infants and children exposed to alcohol in utero; avoid using.

  1. Dufour MC. If you drink alcoholic beverages do so in moderation: what does this mean? J Nutr 2001;131:552S-61S.

Wine & Breastfeeding

Likely Unsafe

When used orally. Alcohol is secreted in breast milk. Chronic use can cause abnormal psychomotor development and disrupt the infant's sleep-wake pattern. Alcohol also seems to reduce milk production; avoid using.

  1. Mennella J. Alcohol's effect on lactation. Alcohol Res Health 2001;25:230-4.
DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

References & further reading

The 73 references that drive our Wine monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Burnham TH, ed. Drug Facts and Comparisons, Updated Monthly. Facts and Comparisons, St. Louis, MO.
  2. Hart CL, Smith GD, Hole DJ, Hawthorne VM. Alcohol consumption and mortality from all causes, coronary heart disease, and stroke: results from a prospective cohort study of Scottish men with 21 years of follow up. BMJ 1999;318:1725-9. PubMed
  3. Offman EM, Freeman DJ, Dresser GK, et al. Cisapride interaction with grapefruit juice and red wine. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2000;67:110 (abstract PI-83).
  4. Tsunoda SM, Christians U, Velez RL, et al. Red wine (RW) effects on cyclosporine (CyA) metabolites. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2000;67:150 (abstract PIII-35).
  5. Tsunoda SM, Harris RZ, Velez RL, et al. Red wine (RW) effects on cyclosporine (CyA) Pharmacokinetics. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1998;65:159 (abstract PII-51). DOI
  6. Pearson TA. Alcohol and heart disease. Circulation 1996;94:3023-5. PubMed
  7. Fraser AG. Pharmacokinetic interactions between alcohol and other drugs. Clin Pharmacokinet 1997;33:79-90. PubMed
  8. Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, Willett WC, et al. A prospective study of moderate alcohol consumption and the risk of coronary disease and stroke in women. N Engl J Med 1988;319:267-73. PubMed
  9. Vally H, de Klerk N, Thompson PJ. Alcoholic drinks: important triggers for asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;105:462-7. PubMed
  10. Thun MJ, Peto R, Lopez AD, et al. Alcohol consumption and mortality among middle-aged and elderly US adults. N Engl J Med 1997;337:1705-14.
  11. Goldberg I, Mosca L, Piano MR, Fisher EA. AHA Science Advisory: Wine and your heart: a science advisory for healthcare professionals from the Nutrition Committee, Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, and Council on Cardiovascular Nursing of the America
  12. Michaud DS, Giovannucci E, Willett WC, et al. Coffee and alcohol consumption and risk of pancreatic cancer in two prospective United States cohorts. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2001;10:429-37.
  13. Dufour MC. If you drink alcoholic beverages do so in moderation: what does this mean? J Nutr 2001;131:552S-61S. PubMed
  14. Thadhani R, Camargo CA, Stampfer MJ, et al. Prospective study of moderate alcohol consumption and risk of hypertension in young women. Arch Intern Med 2002;162:569-74. PubMed
  15. Mukamal KJ, Longstreth WT, Mittleman MA. Alcohol consumption and subclinical findings on magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in older adults: the cardiovascular health study. Stroke 2001;32:1939-46. PubMed
Keep reading

This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Brand directory

Brands that make products with Wine

6 brands in our database make a supplement containing Wine.

Product directory

Supplement products with Wine

8 products in our database contain Wine. Open any to see its full ingredient list and every drug interaction we check.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Wine: Common Questions

What is Wine used for, and does it work?
People use Wine for many reasons, but the evidence varies by use. According to the Natural Medicines database, there is at least some clinical evidence supporting Wine for Cognitive function, Diabetes, Helicobacter pylori and Osteopenia. For most other uses it has been studied for, the evidence is currently insufficient to rate. See the graded list on this page, and always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.
Does Wine interact with prescription medications?
Yes. We list 928 medications with a known interaction with Wine, including 658 rated major. Use the checker above to see how Wine interacts with a specific drug.
How are Wine interactions rated?
Each interaction is graded major, moderate, or minor based on how clinically significant it is and the strength of the evidence behind it. Major interactions are the most serious and are best avoided, or used only under close professional supervision.
Is it safe to take Wine with my medications?
It depends on the specific medication. Some combinations are fine, while others call for monitoring, timing changes, or should be avoided. Check your exact drug above and confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing anything.
Where does this Wine interaction information come from?
Our interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database — an evidence-graded reference for vitamins, herbs, and supplements — and is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists, who may add clinical context.
Is red Wine good for your heart?
The idea that red Wine protects the heart is largely unproven, and newer research suggests alcohol offers no real protection. You can get the antioxidants in grapes more safely from grapes or grape juice without the alcohol.
Can I drink Wine while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No amount of alcohol is considered safe during pregnancy, so Wine should be avoided. While breastfeeding, it is best to avoid alcohol; if you do drink, limit it and time it carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist first.
Why does Wine give me a headache?
Wine headaches may be linked to alcohol, dehydration, sulfites, histamines, or tannins. Staying hydrated and drinking less can help, and if reactions are strong you may have a sensitivity and should avoid it.
Is Wine a dietary supplement?
No. Wine is an alcoholic beverage, not a supplement or medicine, and it is not recommended as a way to improve your health.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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