What is alcohol intolerance?
Alcohol intolerance is an inherited metabolic disorder. Metabolic disorders affect your metabolism, the way your body converts and uses energy.
An inherited metabolic disorder means you got this condition from your parents — they each passed down a mutated (changed) gene that resulted in this disorder. Even if your parents don’t have the condition, they can pass it to you.
Our bodies are full of enzymes, proteins that help break down food. Alcohol intolerance is a problem with the specific enzyme that helps your body metabolize alcohol. Even drinking a small amount of alcohol (ethanol) causes unpleasant symptoms. Your face may turn pink or red (alcohol flush) and feel warm.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
How common is alcohol intolerance?
One study of 948 individuals found that 7.2% self-reported wine intolerance. It happened to the women more than men (8.9% verses 5.2%). It is unclear if that number reflects the general population.
Is alcohol intolerance the same as an alcohol allergy?
People often confuse alcohol intolerance and alcohol allergy, but they aren’t the same condition.
Alcohol intolerance is a genetic, metabolic disorder of the digestive system. Your body doesn’t process alcohol the way it should.
Alcohol allergy is an immune system response — your immune system overreacts to an ingredient in alcohol. You may be allergic to one of the substances in alcohol (a chemical, grain or preservative, such as sulfite).
The symptoms differ slightly. Both alcohol intolerance and an allergy can cause nausea. But the hallmark symptom of alcohol intolerance is flushing of the skin of the chest, neck and face.
Symptoms of an alcohol allergy include rashes, itchiness, swelling and severe stomach cramps. Allergy symptoms are often more painful and uncomfortable than alcohol intolerance symptoms. In rare cases, if untreated, an alcohol allergy can be life-threatening.
If you have any unpleasant symptoms after drinking alcohol, see your healthcare provider. Your provider can help get to the bottom of your symptoms and recommend the best next steps.
Is alcohol intolerance the same as being intoxicated?
No, alcohol intolerance is not the same as being intoxicated or drunk. Alcohol intolerance doesn’t mean you become drunk faster or after drinking less alcohol. And the condition does not increase your blood alcohol level, either. Often, people with alcohol intolerance drink less, because the symptoms they experience are so unpleasant.
Who might have alcohol intolerance?
People of East Asian descent are more likely to have the inherited genetic mutation that causes alcohol intolerance, so they develop the condition at higher rates. Anyone can have the enzyme problem that causes alcohol intolerance.
FAQs
Besides conducting a physical exam, your doctor might request these tests: Skin test. A skin test can determine whether you might have an allergy to something in alcoholic beverages — for example, the grains in beer. Your skin is pricked with a tiny amount of a substance that could be causing your reaction.
How do you test for alcohol allergy or intolerance? ›
Besides conducting a physical exam, your doctor might request these tests: Skin test. A skin test can determine whether you might have an allergy to something in alcoholic beverages — for example, the grains in beer. Your skin is pricked with a tiny amount of a substance that could be causing your reaction.
Do allergy tests test for alcohol? ›
Alcohol allergy symptoms can involve serious reactions like hives, facial swelling, nausea, and vomiting. Allergy tests to alcohol are usually negative but are sometimes positive for breakdown byproducts of ethanol, such as acetaldehyde or acetic acid (vinegar).
Why am I suddenly intolerant to alcohol? ›
A sudden intolerance to alcohol is possible if you begin using a medication that causes alcohol intolerance or develop a disease that causes it. Most cases of suddenly developed alcohol intolerance occur due to starting a new medicine that causes it.
What medication causes alcohol intolerance? ›
Numerous classes of prescription medications can interact with alcohol, including antibiotics, antidepressants, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, histamine H2 receptor antagonists, muscle relaxants, nonnarcotic pain medications and anti-inflammatory agents, opioids, and warfarin.
How do I know if my body is allergic to alcohol? ›
But the hallmark symptom of alcohol intolerance is flushing of the skin of the chest, neck and face. Symptoms of an alcohol allergy include rashes, itchiness, swelling and severe stomach cramps. Allergy symptoms are often more painful and uncomfortable than alcohol intolerance symptoms.
What is the most sensitive test for alcoholism? ›
GGT, AST, and MCV are the most frequently used indirect biomarkers. As a screen for alcohol dependence, the sensitivity/specificity of CDT is generally higher than AST, ALT, GGT, or MCV. (See Table 2 below.) CDT is less sensitive/specific in women than men.
Is allergy testing worth it? ›
Allergy testing is recommended when: You've had a severe or dangerous reaction in the past. You have a reaction over and over again. Allergies or asthma run strongly in your family.
What is the most accurate allergy test? ›
Skin prick testing (SPT) is the preferred testing method for true food allergy. It is safe for most patients—even infants—and it can be done during a regular clinic visit. Results are available immediately after the test, so you will be able to discuss the results with your allergist at the same visit.
Why am I always sick after drinking alcohol? ›
Alcohol can irritate your stomach. Alcohol also causes your stomach to make more acid. This can cause belly pain, nausea or vomiting.
Enzyme Deficiencies
One of the primary causes of alcohol intolerance is the deficiency or reduced activity of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). ALDH is responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism.
Does alcohol intolerance ever go away? ›
People who experience the tell-tale symptoms of alcohol intolerance should be aware that there's no treatment or cure for the condition and—more importantly—the long-term effects of overlooking the symptoms may be severe.
What supplements are good for alcohol intolerance? ›
Enzyme supplements are a potential treatment option for alcohol intolerance. These supplements contain enzymes, such as alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, that help break down alcohol and its byproducts more efficiently.
What is the pill for people allergic to alcohol? ›
Disulfiram works by blocking the breakdown of alcohol in the body. This leads to buildup of a toxic alcohol-related compound that can cause people who drink alcohol while taking this medication to become very sick. This reaction helps encourage people to avoid alcohol while taking the medication.
Can you become allergic to alcohol as you get older? ›
It's possible to develop an alcohol allergy at any point in your life. Sudden onset of symptoms may also be caused by a newly developed intolerance.
How to get rid of inflammation from alcohol? ›
Exercise Regularly. Regular physical activity is an effective way to counter alcohol-induced inflammation. Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and reduces inflammation by promoting circulation and supporting the immune system.
What to drink if you have alcohol intolerance? ›
Substitutes for Alcoholic Beverages
| Beverage Type | Description |
|---|
| Mocktails | Non-alcoholic co*cktails made with fruit juices, soda, and other mixers. |
| Non-alcoholic Beer | Beer that has undergone a process to remove or reduce alcohol content. |
| Non-alcoholic Wine | Wine produced with minimal or no alcohol content. |
1 more rowFeb 11, 2024
When this happens, symptoms can include:
- feeling sick.
- weight loss.
- loss of appetite.
- yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
- swelling in the ankles and tummy.
- confusion or drowsiness.
- vomiting blood or passing blood in your stools.
Alcohol intolerance is due to a genetic polymorphism of the aldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme, which is responsible for the metabolism of acetaldehyde (produced from the metabolism of alcohol by alcohol dehydrogenase). This polymorphism is most often reported in patients of East Asian descent.
