April 2013

Auburn University Healthy Tigers Program Keith Norman, Pharm.D. Candidate 2013 Pharm Phacts: Awareness Month

Why is Alcohol Awareness Important?

April is Alcohol Awareness “The Plains” can attest to the fact Special points of Month. This issue of Pharm that people of all ages enjoy alco- interest: Phacts will focus on holic beverages at tailgates all over and responsible use of alcohol. campus. Even though binge drink-  Alcohol is the most More than half of adults in North ing is usually associated with col- commonly used drug in North Amer- America drink alcohol regularly, lege students, around 70% of binge ica making alcohol the most com- drinking episodes occur in adults 1 1 monly used drug on the continent. above the normal college age. This is a publication of the Auburn  Alcoholism is a dis- While many adults drink responsi- While the game day atmosphere in ease that affect University Pharmaceutical Care Center both physical and bly, irresponsible drinking can lead Auburn may be enjoyable for most mental health to long term health problems and fans, it is important to enjoy your- dangerous accidents. In 2005, self responsibly.  Alcohol is involved have been linked with drinking there were over 1 million alcohol- in over 30% of traf- The fact is that regular excessive alcohol. Finally, excessive alcohol related hospitalizations in the fic deaths alcohol consumption can lead to is associated with neurological and United States alone. 1  Alcohol interacts health problems. Many types of cardiovascular disease. Inside this with many medica- Abuse of alcohol is a common cancer and disease are attrib- issue of Pharm Phacts, we will tions problem on college campuses utable to alcohol consumption. look at other reasons to drink re-  Read more inside... around the country. Anyone who Mental health problems such as sponsibly and find ways to get has enjoyed a football game on depression, anxiety, and help.

Inside this issue:

Dangers of Drink- 2 What is Alcoholism? ing Alcohol and Driving Alcoholism is a disease that in- . Drinking alone, denying that your volves drinking alcohol habitu- drinking is a problem, and attempt- Alcohol Interact- 2 How can you tell if you or some- ally.2 By definition, alcoholism is ing to hide the amount of alcohol ing with Medica- one you love suffers from alcohol- tion characterized by interference with you drink may also be signs of ism? Here are a few of the most social or work behavior and also alcoholism. If you see any of these Can Alcohol be 2 common signs. Having high health, both physical and mental. signs in yourself or others, it may beneficial? “alcohol tolerance” may actually Alcohol can reduce anxiety, guilt, be time to get help. be an early sign of alcoholism.2 Where can I Find 3 and inhibition which can lead to Help?

Dangers of Drinking Alcohol and Driving

Alcohol is know to reduce alert- in 2010. It is not you have a friend who has been ness and perception.3 Drinking surprising that alcohol is in- drinking, take their keys away. too much can also impair judg- volved in over 30% of traffic Finally, designating a driver is a ment, decrease motor coordina- related deaths. If you choose to great way to save money and tion and even cause loss of con- drink, you can avoid traffic in- prevent drinking and driving. If sciousness. Knowing these ef- stances by taking the proper you are a host, encourage desig- fects, there is no mystery as to precautions. nated drivers be offering drinks why driving a car is dangerous that do not contain alcohol. By If you choose to drink, make after drinking. taking these actions, you can sure you have arranged for a ride Taxi services in Auburn: make a difference and prevent Despite strict laws and severe home. Whether you call a friend driving while impaired. Tiger Taxi: 444-4444 punishment for driving while or call a cab, this option is much Eagle Town Taxi: 524-9164 intoxicated, there were over 100 safer and less expensive than Twin City Taxi: 888-354-5124 million reported incidences of dealing with a potential DUI. If

Alcohol Interacting with Medication

Do you take any prescription (selegilline and rasagiline), and alcohol, may cause increased medications? What about non- other similar medications.4 There cognitive impairment. Finally, prescription items? If you an- are also interactions if alcohol is alcohol may increase the bleed- swered yes to either of these, used with other antidepressants, ing risk of blood thinning medi- “There are many then alcohol may interact with antipsychotics, and antiepileptic cations like warfarin. medications that may something that you take regu- drugs (AEDs). Both prescription This is a brief list of drugs that cause problems if larly. In fact, there are many and nonprescription pain medi- interact with alcohol. If you take taken with alcohol.” medications that may cause cations interact with alcohol. prescription medications, ask problems if taken with alcohol. Even Tylenol®, when taken with your doctor or pharmacist before alcohol, may cause damage to Severe interactions occur with drinking alcoholic beverages, as the liver. and the antibiotic Flagyl® this behavior may not be safe. , when taken with (metronidazole), MAOIs

Are there Benefits of Drinking Alcohol?

So far, we have seen risks asso- who consumed up to 60 grams/ five other studies. While the risk ciated with drinking alcohol, but day, or about 4 drinks, had a reduction was significant, keep are there any benefits of drinking reduced risk of heart disease in mind the other risks associ- alcohol? A 2010 meta-analysis compared to women who abstain ated with alcohol consumption. demonstrated that moderate from alcohol.5 The same study Consider risk of other health alcohol consumption reduced the found that men who consume up conditions and also dangers of While moderate alcohol consumption risk of heart disease in both men to 90 grams/day, or about 6 using alcohol regularly. While may reduce heart disease risk, there and women of all ages.5 But how drinks, had lower heart disease alcohol reduces the risk of heart are certainly dangers associated with drinking alcohol. much is moderate consumption? risk. disease, the benefit may not outweigh the risk of drinking This study found that women This study pooled results from alcohol. Page 2

Auburn University Healthy Tigers Program

Where can I Find Help?

There are a few places to find help with alco- Vivitrol® (naltrexone) is used for alcohol tion, like . Some of hol abuse and addiction. Talk to your doctor dependence.6 Exactly how this drug works is these meet right here in Auburn. Meeting or pharmacist, and ask if any of these medica- not known, but it is believed to decrease the times are available in various locations almost tions are good options for you. “reward” feeling associated with drinking every day. These meetings are for people who alcohol.4 want to stop drinking or just want to learn Antabuse® () is used for the man- more about alcoholism. agement of alcoholism.4 People who drink Topamax® (topiramate) is a drug that is used while taking this drug will experience symp- to reduced alcohol cravings.4 This may work toms including headache, nausea, vomiting, by stimulating the same area of the brain as sweating, blurred vision, and many other se- alcohol would, therefore the craving goes vere symptoms to discourage alcohol use. away.6 These reactions can even occur up to two Librium® (chlordiazepoxide) is another medi- weeks after stopping the drug.6 cation that helps relieve alcohol withdrawal.6 Campral® ( calcium) is used to This drug is a that help reduce help people abstain from alcohol use.4 It actu- anxiety and sleeplessness in patients suffering ally helps relieve anxiety and sleeplessness from alcohol withdrawal. Other medications that occurs with alcohol withdrawal. People may be used as well. Ask your doctor if any would normally try to drink in order to relieve of these are right for you. these symptoms, but with Campral, this is not Finally, there are support groups all over the necessary as symptoms are less severe. country to help with and addic-

Auburn University Pharmaceutical Care References: Center– Harrison School of Pharmacy 1. Alcohol Use and Abuse Statistics. [Internet]. [cited 2013 Mar 23]. Available from: http:// 2155 Walker Building www.healthyplace.com/addictions/alcoholism/alcohol-use-and-abuse-statistics/. Auburn University, AL 36849 2. What is Alcoholism? [Internet]. [cited 2013 Mar 21]. Available from: http:// www.healthyplace.com/addictions/alcoholism/what-is-alcoholism-definition-of- alcoholism/. 3. Impaired Driving: Get the Facts. [Internet]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [cited 2013 Mar 20]. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/ impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html. 4. Clinical Pharmacology. [AUHSOP Intranet]. Tampa, FL: Gold Standard/Elsevier [cited 2013 Mar 26]. Available from: http://www.clinicalpharmacology-ip.com/default.aspx. 5. Hvidtfeldt UA, Tolstrup JS, Jakobsen MU, et al. Alcohol intake and risk of coronary heart Visit our website disease in younger, middle-aged, and older adults. Circulation. 2010;121:1589-97. Pharmacy.auburn.edu 6. Micromedex 2.0 [AUHSOP Intranet]. Greenwood Village, CO: Thomson Healthcare. [cited 2013 Mar 27]. Available from: http://www.micromedexsolutions.com/home/dispatch.