Members of the public are being reminded of the dangers of consuming alcohol while taking medicines or herbal remedies.

According to the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), people may be consuming more alcohol than usual at the moment, as it is the Christmas party season. However, this time of year is also synonymous with coughs, colds and flu and mixing medicines with alcohol can be dangerous.

According to John Gleeson of the IPU, mixing can cause nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, fainting or loss of co-ordination, resulting in, among other things, falls and other injuries.

"Some medicines, including many popular painkillers and over the counter cough, cold, and allergy remedies, contain more than one ingredient that can react with alcohol. In addition to these dangers, some medicines can become less effective with alcohol or can cause a serious allergic reaction," he explained.

People are being advised to ask their pharmacist whether alcohol can be consumed with the medicine or remedy they are taking.