Transcript Alcohol and Medications

Alcohol
and prescription drugs
Alcohol
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Used by 84% of Australians
Almost considered part of our lifestyle
Harm from alcohol
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1998-99 4,800 deaths
400,000 hospital bed days
Social costs $7.5 billion
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Production loss
Accidents
Crime
Health costs
Alcohol dependency
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5% of Australians
20% use alcohol in a way that can harm
others
Alcohol is related to death in adolescents
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Unintentional injuries
Homicide
Suicide
Facts about drugs
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Tobacco = 71% of drug related-deaths
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Alcohol = 26% of drug related-deaths
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Other drugs = 3% of drug-related deaths
Alcohol
Head to toe!
Brain
Heart, BP
Gut
Liver
Blood
Skin
Muscles
Endocrine/metabolic
Genitals
Bone
The “Reward” Pathway
Sex
Thirst
Hunger
Chocolate
Intoxication
Love
Money
Doing your tax
Short term effects of alcohol
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Sedation
Slowed thinking and speech
Impaired breathing
Sleep disruption
Irritation to gut lining
Hangovers
What makes these effects worse?
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If we are young people
If we are older people
If we are pregnant
If we are breast feeding
If we have social problems
If we have mental health problems
AND
What happens if we add medication?
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Short term effects may be made into long
term effects
Make alcohol stay in blood stream longer
If we take medications
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Interactions
Additive effects
Effect on liver
How can this happen?
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Large does of alcohol can affect increase
levels of the drug and case adverse effects
Sometimes alcohol decreases the availability
of the drug and dose may need to be
increased
Alcohol can be toxic to liver
If alcohol is taken with
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Warfarin: is increased so risk of bleeding
increased
If alcohol is taken with
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Blood pressure meds: can cause postural
hypotension and increase risk of falls
If alcohol is taken with
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Sedatives: additive effect so more risk of
daytime drowsiness and falls
If alcohol is taken with
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Pain relievers: sedation can increase
If alcohol is taken with
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NSAIDS: increases risk of bleed
If alcohol is taken
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Alcohol acts as a diuretic and can wash
away some medications
Herbal remedies
What can we do?
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Alcohol in moderation
Have a list of what you take
Read labels on medicine
What else can we do?
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Read CMI
If taking a lot of medications be aware that
alcohol can affect them
ASK your doctor or pharmacist
If you are concerned…….
Ask you GP for
a Home Medicines Review
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How does HMR work?
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Ask your GP
GP makes a Referral and sends to pharmacy
Pharmacist organises a time for interview
Interview at your home, or at your choice
Report to GP
Return to GP for Management Plan
You can agree/ disagree to plan
Thank you
Carlene Smith
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia
NSW Branch
02 9467 7124