askthedoctor Party Safely Get Help for M
Withdrawal People who regularly drink alcohol heav- ily might experience withdrawal symptoms, including tremors, sweat- ing, and delirium, if they suddenly stop drinking. These symptoms, also known as delirium tre- mens, or the D.T.’s, can be fatal. Some might re- quire medical assistance to stop drinking.
Medication labels that say “do not take with alcohol” are so common, they can be easy to ignore. However, when alcohol in- teracts with medication, a variety of reac- tions can occur, from acute reactions such as increased drowsiness to chronic reac- tions such as liver damage. Alcohol also can magnify the eff ects of certain medica- tions (and vice versa). Even amounts that are relatively safe taken individually can cause serious eff ects when combined. Al- ways read medication labels to fi nd out if a specifi c medication interacts with alcohol. Medications that depress the central nervous system, when combined with alcohol, can slow refl exes, making driv- ing especially dangerous; aff ect gait and balance, contributing to serious falls, especially in older people; and suppress breathing and result in accidental death. These drugs might treat allergies, insom- nia, anxiety, depression, or severe pain. Herbal products such as chamomile, vale- rian, and lavender have similar eff ects. Narcotics (used for pain management) and benzodiazepines (taken for anxiety and other reasons) mixed with alcohol can result in impaired judgment and unusual behavior and aff ect memory, as well as cause the central nervous system eff ects described above. Nonsteroidal anti-infl ammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a common group of pain and ar- thritis medications, irritate the stomach and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Over time, they can result in ulcers and GI bleeding similar
52 MILITARY OFFICER NOVEMBER 2012
During the holiday season, many social functions feature alcohol. But the dangers of combining alcohol with medications are real. By Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, D.O.
to chronic alcohol use, and when taken with alcohol, the eff ects are magnifi ed for both. Many medications — including cholester- ol-lowering drugs, oral antifungal agents, and some over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription pain medications — are liver toxins. Taking these drugs with alcohol in- creases the risk of serious liver damage. Taking nitroglycerin with alcohol can result in sudden changes in blood pressure and can cause dizziness, fainting, and falls. Oral diabetic medications combined with alcohol can result in abnormally low blood sugar, increased heart rate, blood pressure changes, nausea, and vomiting. Seizure medications interact with alco- hol, causing drowsiness and dizziness and potentially increasing the risk of seizures. Illegal drugs often interact with alcohol unpredictably because the exact drug, dose, and contaminants are unknown. Take the warning “do not take with alco- hol” seriously. Remember alcohol is in wine, beer, and hard liquor (e.g., rum, vodka, or whiskey) and often in eggnog. Talk with your pharmacist or health care provider about how it might interact with prescrip- tion, OTC, or herbal medications you take. If there is a potential interaction, don’t drink while taking those medications.
MO
— Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, USPHS-Ret., D.O., M.A., is vice president, Health Sciences, Battelle Memorial Institute, Arlington, Va. Find more health and wellness resources at www
.moaa.org/wellness. For submission information, see page 6.
PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT
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