Drinking too much alcohol will make you sick. Alcohol can also cause death directly by acting on those brain areas that control consciousness, respiration and heart rate. This can lead to coma and death. Some people vomit when they have taken too much alcohol. Others may fall asleep. This is dangerous as they may choke on their own vomit, as they are too intoxicated to wake up and clear their airway, or they may fall into a coma. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include vomiting, fainting, difficulty to awaken, and slow and shallow breathing. Eating before drinking alcohol will slow down the speed of intoxication but it is no guarantee that you won't get sick. If the person persists in falling asleep, wake them up. Call 995 Emergency Medical Services for an ambulance if the victim becomes unconscious and/or unresponsive, or stops breathing. Do not mix alcohol with medications. Alcohol affects several organs of the body and mixing alcohol with certain medications can cause nausea and vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, loss of coordination, and difficulties in breathing. Medications that interact with alcohol and make you sleepy may impair your ability to perform work that requires alertness, the ability to drive and maintain good reflexes. Alcohol also can decrease the effectiveness of a medication or make it totally ineffective. For example: Use of common cough and cold medications, and medications used for depression and anxiety, with alcohol may result in excessive dizziness and sedation. Use of painkillers with alcohol may result in a stomach upset, bleeding ulcers, liver damage or a rapid heartbeat. You should not take alcohol whenever you are on any medication. If in doubt, discuss it with your doctor, pharmacist or call the DPIC at 6423-9119.  .