Drug/alcohol interactions: avert potential dangers.
Alcoholism is not uncommon among older people, but "binge" or facilitative drinking is more characteristic of this age group. Alcohol interacts with many drugs frequently prescribed for older patients--antidepressants, sedatives, hypnotics, tranquilizers, and others--and the combination can sometimes be fatal.
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000378:metabolism; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000378:metabolism; D001241:Aspirin / Q000378:metabolism; D002140:California; D003926:Diabetic Coma / Q000139:chemically induced; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004976:Ethacrynic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000378:metabolism*; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000378:metabolism; D010653:Phenylbutazone / Q000378:metabolism; D014861:Washington
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D000431:Ethanol; D010653:Phenylbutazone; D004976:Ethacrynic Acid; D001241:Aspirin; D010634:Phenobarbital