ALCOHOL
PHARMACOLOGY
INITIAL EFFECT - STIMULANT
PREDOMINANT EFFECT - DEPRESSANT
ANALGESIC
CUTANEOUS VASODILATION
TOXICITY - RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION
PATHOLOGY OF CHRONIC USE
POLYNEUROPATHY
CHANGE IN VISUAL PERCEPTION
WERNICKE’S DISEASE - reversible memory loss treated with B vitamins
KORSAKOFF’S SYNDROME - irreversible memory and learning loss
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
GI/HEPATIC DISEASES
CONSEQUENCES OF USE
FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME
INHIBITION OF ANTIDIURETIC HORMONE
WITHDRAWAL
AGITATION, TREMOR, ANXIETY, INSOMNIA
HALLUCINATIONS, SEIZURE
ABSTINENCE THERAPY
DISULFIRAM
Competes with alcohol metabolic pathway
Toxicities with alcohol use - flushing vomiting, decreased respiration, syncope, arrhythmias, cardiovascular collapse, seizures
Side effects - depression, headache, metallic taste
Avoid Elixirs