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Hemophilia and Alcohol: Is It Safe to Drink?

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Limited information is available about the link between hemophilia and alcohol. While a low-to-moderate amount isn’t expected to cause any additional harm in hemophilia, long-term heavy drinking can have several consequences.

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A Quick Overview of Hemophilia

In people with hemophilia, the blood doesn’t clot properly. This can happen when people have little or no clotting factors (most commonly VIII and IX) in their blood. 

As a result, they tend to bleed for a longer time after an injury. Moreover, they are more likely to have internal bleeding, which, when untreated, can be fatal. 

Hemophilia and Alcohol: 3 Reasons to Abstain From or Limit Drinking if You Have a Bleeding Disorder

1. Heavy Drinking Can Damage the Liver and Affect Clotting Factor Production

The combination of hemophilia and alcohol is a double whammy for your liver. 

Overconsuming alcohol can lead to an accumulation of fats in the liver, inflammation, and scarring. 

Your liver makes both factors VIII and IX. When you have liver disease, your liver fails to produce enough clotting factors, leading to altered blood clotting. 

2. Alcohol Increases the Risk of Road Traffic Accidents

Driving under the influence increases the risk of road traffic accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 30% of all traffic crash fatalities in the US involve drunk drivers [2].

Because hemophilia can make you bleed longer than usual, having any kind of injury can be problematic. In such cases, delayed treatment can be fatal. 

3. Some Hemophilia Treatments Interact With Alcohol

People who receive gene therapy should avoid alcohol for at least 12 months after gene therapy. The liver is the target for hemophilia gene therapy. Thus, those on gene therapy are recommended to quit drinking or drinking in moderation for extended periods because it can decrease factor activity [3]. 

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Dietary Guidelines for Alcohol in the US

According to the “2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans,” among people 21 years or older who choose to drink [4]:

  • Men should limit their intake to 2 drinks or less per day. 
  • Women should limit their intake to 1 drink or less per day. 

In the US, one “standard drink” is the amount of alcohol present in:

  • 12 fl oz of regular beer (5% alcohol)
  • 8 – 10 fl oz of malt liquor (7% alcohol)
  • 5 fl oz of table wine (12% alcohol)
  • 3 – 4 fl oz of fortified wine (17% alcohol)
  • 1.5 fl oz of distilled spirits (40% alcohol)

 Currently, no drinking guidelines for people with hemophilia are available. How much you can drink (if you choose to) depends on several factors, such as:

  • Severity of hemophilia
  • Presence of liver disease
  • Your overall health
  • Medications you take

Thus, it’s best to consult your provider if you choose to drink. 

REFERENCES:

  1. Goedert, J. J., Eyster, M. E., Lederman, M. M., Mandalaki, T., De Moerloose, P., White, G., Angiolillo, A., Luban, N. L., Sherman, K. E., Manco‐Johnson, M. J., Preiss, L., Leissinger, C., Kessler, C. M., Cohen, A. R., DiMichele, D., Hilgartner, M. W., Aledort, L. M., Kröner, B., Rosenberg, P. S., & Hatzakis, A. (2002). End-stage liver disease in persons with hemophilia and transfusion-associated infections. Blood, 100(5), 1584–1589. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.v100.5.1584.h81702001584_1584_1589
  2. Drunk driving | NHTSA. (n.d.). NHTSA. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving# 
  3. https://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=20452
  4. Facts about moderate drinking | CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/moderate-drinking.htm#
This information is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about your medical condition prior to starting any new treatment. AmeriPharma™ Specialty Care assumes no liability whatsoever for the information provided or for any diagnosis or treatment made as a result, nor is it responsible for the reliability of the content. AmeriPharma™ Specialty Care does not operate all the websites/organizations listed here, nor is it responsible for the availability or reliability of their content. These listings do not imply or constitute an endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation by AmeriPharma™ Specialty Care. This webpage may contain references to brand-name prescription drugs that are trademarks or registered trademarks of pharmaceutical manufacturers not affiliated with AmeriPharma™ Specialty Care.
MEDICALLY REVIEWED BY Dr. Christine Leduc, PharmD

Dr. Christine Leduc, PharmD, was born and raised in Irvine, CA. She attended college at Midwestern University, where she graduated cum laude. The most rewarding part of her job is suggesting lifestyle changes, educating patients on how their medication works, and precepting future pharmacists. Her areas of expertise are customer service and knowledge of specialty medication. Having worked in the service industry in the past, she has gained the customer service skills necessary to understand the needs of her patients. Dr. Leduc is currently precepting students from Marshall B. Ketchum University, University of Kansas, and Midwestern University. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, baking, and gardening. See Author Biography

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