Probably the most common drug interaction of all occurs if
alcohol is drunk by those taking other drugs that have
CNS depressant activity, the result being even further
CNS depression. Blood
alcohol levels well within the legal driving limit may, in the presence of other
CNS depressants, be equivalent to blood
alcohol levels at or above the legal limit in terms of worsened driving and other skills. A less common interaction that can occur between
alcohol and some drugs, chemicals, and fungi is the flushing reaction. This is exploited in the case of
disulfiram (Antabuse) as an
alcohol deterrent. However, it can occur unexpectedly with some other drugs and can be both unpleasant and possibly frightening, but it is not usually dangerous. See also
antihypertensives, for general comments about hypertension and
alcohol consumption.