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Where Find Help Older Adults 60+ Misuse by Older Alcohol & and Responsible Drinking Adults is at Epidemic Levels. LOCALLY

Prescription L Lifespan’s Geriatric Addictions Program Avoid consuming alcohol immediately Currently a minimum of 18% of older adults 60+ 1900 S. Clinton Ave. who consume alcohol suffer health consequences. Medications prior to bedtime to avoid sleep 585-244-8400 This also pertains to social drinking through disturbances. Never combine alcohol with www.lifespanrochester.org Don’t Mix excessive use. There is a dire need to provide medication (including over-the-counter updated education to families, caregivers, medical and mental health professionals concerning the Alcoholics Anonymous, Rochester Chapter sleep aids). signs and symptoms of misuse. This current lack 585-232-6720 L of education is resulting in needless health issues Abstain if you’re taking any psychiatric and a lowered quality of life for older adults. Al-Anon, Rochester Chapter medications, pain relievers, blood 585-288-0540 thinners, diabetic drugs and some People are living longer. Aging causes our cardiovascular drugs. metabolism to slow down. The same amount of National Council on Alcoholism and Drug alcohol that may have minimally impacted one’s L health and functioning earlier in life can now be Dependence-Rochester Area (NCADD-RA) Consider one drink per day a safe level if toxic. With alcohol taking longer to leave the body, 585-719-3481 or 585-719-3484 you take no medications that interact with every major organ can be negatively impacted. www.ncadd-ra.org alcohol. Please see chart in this brochure Resources, Advocacy & Research Alcohol use can accelerate the progression of to assess your medications. chronic disease especially disease and . https://ncadd-ra.org/news-resources /resources-advocacy-research Alcohol use can mask signs and symptoms of mental health problems. Older adults often use NATIONALLY: alcohol to ease , ward off feelings of WHO SHOULD NEVER depression, and to help with . SAMHSA’s National Helpline DRINK ALCOHOL 1-800-662-HELP (4357) is a confidential, free, Being diagnosed with dementia is now of great L 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information concern for aging adults. Symptoms of alcohol People with memory problems misuse can mask signs and symptoms of dementia service, in English and Spanish. This service

L making detection difficult. It’s never good to provides referrals to local treatment facilities, People with a history of falls or unsteady assume, “If they’d only stop drinking, their support groups, and community-based Older Adults & walking memory would improve.” organizations. www.samhsa.gov Substance Misuse There’s a critical lack of education surrounding the use of prescription medication and alcohol use. People mistakenly think that as long as they’re not swallowing their medication with alcohol, there’s no problem. The reality is alcohol introduced at any time, regardless of when a pill is taken, can result in risky health consequences. The information in this brochure is Please refer to the chart in this pamphlet to make GERIATRIC ADDICTIONS PROGRAM not intended as medical advice. sure you’re not at risk for a medical crisis. Always consult your physician if you 1900 South Clinton Avenue Don’t be afraid to bring any concerns regarding Rochester, NY 14618 GERIATRIC ADDICTIONS PROGRAM have questions on these, or any other your alcohol use to your family physician, 585-244-8400 585-244-8400 medical topics. pharmacist or contact Lifespan’s Geriatric www.lifespanrochester.org www.lifespanrochester.org Addictions Program at 585-244-8400. Effects of Alcohol DRUG CATEGORIES & ALCOHOL POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES Managing Multiple on the Body Medications Allergy Medicine: Benadryl (), Heart Medicine: Lanoxin (), Lopressor/Toprol L Claritin (), Zyrtec (cetirizine), Allegra XL (, Inderal () + Alcohol = ALWAYS

L Gastritis, ulcers, heartburn (fexofenadine), Atarax () + Alcohol = Increased risk of falls, , changes in L Diabetes Increased dizziness, drowsiness, decreased central effectiveness of treatment. (Please note that L

L nervous system functioning. over-the-counter + alcohol = increased risk Anemia Question your doctor or pharmacist about

of stomach bleeding.) L Increased risk of stroke prescription dosages if you don’t under - Anti-Anxiety: Xanax (), Ativan (lorazapam),

L Increased blood pressure stand the instructions.

Buspar (), Valium (), Klonopin Herbal Supplements: Despite being natural, certain L Increased risk of hemorrhage (), Librium () + Alcohol = herbs can have dangerous side effects when mixed L

Excessive drowsiness, loss of balance and coordination, with some prescription medications and/or alcohol. L Malnutrition Use one pharmacy for all prescriptions

decreased motor skills, breathing difficulties, loss of ALWAYS check with your pharmacist before taking

L Pancreatitis and over-the-counter medications.

consciousness, death. any herbs.

L

Calcium loss L : Zoloft (), Prozac (), Over the Counter Pain Killers: Tylenol

L

Decrease in muscle strength Make a medication record including

Celexa (), Lexapro (), Paxil (acetaminophen), Aspirin, Aleve (naproxen), Advil,

L Inflammation ALL non-prescription medicines and

(), Luvox (), Cymbalta Motrin () + Alcohol = increased risk of

Dermatitis herbal supplements.

() + Alcohol = Poor control of depression, stomach bleeding, stomach ulcers, damage. increased risk of overdose, dizziness. Prescription Pain Medication: Lyrica (), L Problems with Alcohol

Carrry the list with you to show your

Arthritis: Mobic (meloxicam), Naprosyn (naproxen), Codeine, Duragesic (), Zohydro ER

and Medication Misuse Voltaren (diclofenac), Celebrex (celecoxib) + Alcohol (hydrocodone) , Vicodin, Lorcet (hydrocodone/ doctor and pharmacist.

= Increased risk of stomach bleeding and ulcers, liver acetaminophen), Dilaudid (hydromorphone), are Hard to Detect L damage. Demerol (meperidine), Methadone (dolophine), Take medications as prescribed.

L MS Contin (morphine), OxyContin (oxycodone HCL), Symptoms can mimic other diseases Blood Pressure Medication/Water Pills: Zestril Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen) + Alcohol = L (lisinopril), Tenormin (), Lotensin (), Difficulty breathing/drowsiness can lead to coma or Medical professionals don’t always screen Vaseretic (enalapril), Norvasc (), Microzide death, increased risk of falls, poor motor function, NEVER for the use of alcohol with medications () , Cozaar (losartan), Diovan high potential for abuse/addiction. L

L () + Alcohol = Dizziness, fainting, increased

risk of falls, changes in heart rhythm, decreased Prostate: Cardura (), Minipress (), Take more or less of your prescriptions

Limited access to health care due to

effectiveness of treatment. Flomax () + Alcohol = Increased risk of without letting your doctor know.

insurance coverage

L falls, fainting, lightheadedness. Lack of education among older adults on Blood Thinners: Coumadin (warfarin), Eliquis L

(apixaban), Pradaxa (dabigatran), Xarelto (rivaroxaban) Seizures: Keppra (levitiracetam) Dilantin (), Refuse to have a prescription filled

medication interactions + Alcohol = Increased risk for both new clots and Ativan ( ), Valium (diazepam), ,

L because “it’s too expensive” without

bleeding. (Please note that over-the-counter aspirin Tegretol (), Neurontin () +

letting your doctor know.

Denial of any problem by the older adult

L + alcohol = increased risk of stomach bleeding.) Alcohol = Increased risk of seizures.

Mental health conditions L

Cholesterol: Lipitor (atorvastatin), Crestor Sleep Aids: Ambien (zolpidem), Lunesta (eszopiclone), L

Take herbs or over-the-counter medicines

(rosuvastatin), Altocor (), Pravachol Restoril (temazepam), Unisom (doxylamine), Benadryl

Social isolation without first consulting your doctor or

(pravastatin), Zocor (), Niacin + Alcohol = (dephenhydramine) + Alcohol = Dizziness, difficulty

pharmacist. Increased risk of liver damage, increased and breathing, memory problems, decreased functioning.

itching with niacin. (Please note even natural sleep supplements (e.g. L Many older adults don’t realize that mixing melatonin) can have as serious side effects as those Share prescriptions with family or friends. alcohol and medications inappropriately Diabetes: Glucophage(metformin), Glucotrol above as well as increased anxiety, swelling of the can be a problem until they’ve grown de - (), Micronase (glyburide), Insulin + Alcohol = feet/hands, redness in the face.) L Very low blood sugar levels, increased risk of falls, Store unused medications for use the next pendent on either substance or both. flushing, /vomiting/. time you have similar symptoms.