Pharmacists are warning people to be cautious this Christmas if they are currently taking medication as adding alcohol to the mix may not end well for a variety of reasons.

The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) said alcohol can interact negatively with hundreds of commonly used medicines, including over-the-counter herbal remedies so consuming alcohol at the same time as using them has the potential to cause problems and put people at risk.

One good reason not to mix the two is that alcohol can make certain medicines less effective which is something you definitely want to avoid if you are feeling unwell. Even in small amounts, alcohol can also intensify side effects such as drowsiness and light headedness affecting concentration an the ability to operate machinery or drive your car.