title: Complications of alcohol use combined with drug therapy in the elderly.
abstract: Chronic ingestion of ethanol in alcoholic beverages can impair drug therapy, lead to sometimes hazardous interactions, or compromise adherence to a well-planned drug treatment program. Various drugs consistently interact with alcohol: CNS depressants, such as benzodiazepines, barbiturates, muscle relaxants, antihistamines, and psychotropic agents; analgesics, including aspirin and narcotics; anticoagulants and other cardiovascular drugs, namely digitalis glycosides, diuretics, antihypertensives, and antiarrhythmics; and antidiabetic agents. Abstinence from alcohol by elderly patients receiving these drugs is recommended.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects; D004347:Drug Interactions; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs