What is the main risk of combining alcohol with prescription medications?

Combining alcohol with prescription medications significantly increases the risk of overdose. Alcohol can amplify the effects of many medications, particularly those that act on the central nervous system, such as sedatives, painkillers, or tranquilizers. This overdose can lead to serious consequences, including respiratory failure, unconsciousness, or even death. Additionally, the interaction between alcohol and medications may alter how the body metabolizes one or both substances, further increasing the potential for dangerous side effects.

The other options suggest effects of alcohol mixed with medications that do not align with medically accepted outcomes. For instance, while some might mistakenly believe that alcohol enhances medication effects, it actually causes unpredictable and often harmful reactions. Similarly, the claim that it causes less drowsiness is contrary to the reality that alcohol typically increases sedation when combined with such medications. Finally, stating it has no effect on the body undermines the well-documented risks associated with mixed use. Thus, the correct understanding is that combining alcohol with prescription medications poses a substantial threat, primarily through the risk of overdose.