Alcohol-Drug Interactions

After having a look at the number of hits to this site and also viewing the referral sites like Google etc, it is very obvious that folks always search for drug interactions and invariably land here or more commonly search for alcohol-drug interactions. To provide peeps with more info I am posting this.

The properties that promote drug interactions:
Chronic alcoholism results in enzyme induction. Acute alcoholic intoxication tends to inhibit drug metabolism (whether the person is an alcoholic or not). Severe alcohol-induced hepatic dysfunction may inhibit ability to metabolize drugs. Disulfiram (Antabuse) like reactions in the presence of certain drugs may occur. Additive CNS (central nervous system) depression with other central nervous depressants may occur.

Clinically documented alcohol-drug interactions:
Acetaminophen:
Increased formation of hepatotoxic acetaminophen metabolites (in chronic alcoholics)

Anticoagulants, oral:
Increased hypoprothrombinaemic effect with acute alcohol intoxication.

Central Nervous System depressants:
Additive or synergistic CNS depression.

Insulin:
Acute alcohol intake may increase hypoglycaemic effect of insulin (especially in fasting patients).

Drugs that produce a disulfiram-like reaction:

• Cephalosporins: Disulfiram-like reactions noted with cefamandole, cefaperazone, cefotetan and moxalactam.
• Chloral hydrate: Mechanism not established.
• Disulfiram: Inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase.
• Metronidazole: Mechanism not established.
• Sulfonylureas: Chlorpropamide is most likely to cause a disulfiram-like reaction; acute alcohol intake may increase hypoglycemic effect (especially in fasting patients)

Hope this helps!

The Super 15!

In the good-for-you category of foods, there exists an elite squad of real superstars — foods that go the distance in giving you vitamins, minerals and possible protection from health problems. Pick a few that you like and seek them out at salad bars or slip them into favorite recipes. They keep on giving.

1. Garlic.
One clove may contain more than 15 antioxidants, plus an antibiotic and a bronchial decongestant; may help lower blood pressure, boost immunity, reduce blood clotting, lower bad cholesterol, raise cholesterol and prevent some types of cancer.

2. Onions.
Certain compounds clear sinuses; may control high cholesterol and prevent heart attacks and some cancers, including stomach, rectal and colon.

3. Spinach.
Contains vitamin C, vitamin E, folic acid, protein, calcium and beta-carotene, which may help protect against cancer.

4. Strawberries.
Full of vitamin C, potassium and dietary fiber; also high in pectin, which reduces cholesterol levels and risk of hypertension.

5. Carrots.
Full of beta-carotene and fiber; may help prevent cancer and reduce risk of heart attack; may also lower cholesterol levels.

6. Skim milk.
Brimming with calcium, protein and riboflavin; can help prevent osteoporosis.

7. Beans.
Contain protein, folic acid and fiber; may lower cholesterol and risk of cance

8. Broccoli.
High in fiber, calcium, folic acid and vitamin C, with phytochemicals , that have anticancer properties. Hard for digestion if you have liver disease, makes the liver overwork.

9. Sweet potatoes.
Rich in vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, fiber, potassium and iron; may help prevent cancer.

10. Citrus fruits.
Boast high amounts of vitamin C; may help protect against cancer; the pectin found in white grapefruit may reduce risk of heart disease.

11. Soy.
Contains iron, calcium, magnesium and fiber; the only food to contain genistein, which may inhibit breast cancer by decreasing estrogen levels.

12. Tomatoes.
Contain lycopene, which may help fight cancer, plus fiber and vitamin C.

13. Cantaloupe.
One cup provides 125 percent of the Daily Value for vitamin C and more than 50 percent for vitamin A; melons may protect against cancers of the colon and rectum.

14. Oatmeal.
Full of fiber, which may help lower cholesterol, plus iron, copper, folic acid, vitamin E and zinc.

15. Brown rice.
One cup contains more than 20 percent of the Daily Value for magnesium and selenium, plus fiber and antioxidant power; its fiber may help prevent colon cancer and constipation.

A house visit, the auto-wallah and the rains

An area called Madipakkam next to Velachery (the area where I stay) in Chennai is a veritable ocean replete with waves whenever it rains for more than a day. One wonders how at all did people have the mind to buy/rent a house/flat in such a low lying area! Come monsoons and normal life is disrupted for more than a week even after it has stopped raining. Even the MTC (govt. bus transport) halts its services to Madipakkam! Imagine.

Ok today I had a phone call from a doctor friend asking me to visit his patient who lives in Madipakkam. I couldnt refuse as the patient was 88yrs old and she was being looked after by her niece and there wasnt any male member in the family to take her to the hospital.

Knowing that the area would be flooded I decided to hire a rick to visit the patient. Mercifully the auto-wallah agreed to ply me to Madipakkam and back(usually even autowallahs refuse to ply to Madipakkam during the rains, if at all they do, the charge would be astronomical, maybe the equivalent of buying an auto and fuelling it for life)

The Good Samaritan auto driver informed me the fare would be 150 bucks. Off I went and the main road to Madipakkam was cut off with water stagnating as far as the eye could see! There were even waves like the ones you see in Hawaii! I could have easily learnt to surf on those waters.

Ok after the auto waded through the waters and went through rickety-rackety roads, we finally reached the house I was to visit.

The poor old lady had high fever, elephantiasis of the legs, inflammatory edema in the legs because of a few furuncles on the legs and diabetic nephropathy.

I gave a shot of paracetamol to reduce the fever and asked for a few investigations. She was sleeping in a very odd position and was about to fall off the bed. Her attendants being ladies and not very strong could not move her into a proper position and so they had barricaded the bed with a few chairs. Along with the help of the auto driver, I managed to pull the patient into a more comfortable position. Ants were streaming along on her limp body. Poor thing, passing urine and motion on the bed and lying in the wetness should have been really uncomfortable and had moved herself to the cot's edge.

Finally while I was about to leave, the lady of the house wanted to know how much she would have to pay the auto driver. Without batting a lid, he charged 250 bucks. The lady was bewildered but eventually gave him the dough. Next she asked me how much my fee was. I said 200 bucks. She was kind of shocked in a pleasant way, and even offered me a 100 extra. Politely I refused and left asking her to take care. As I left she muttered under her breath: Doctor charges 200 and auto driver charges 250!

I don’t know whether it was right on the part of the auto wallah to charge 250, coz the water logging was so very bad, but that’s life. I don’t have a right to suggest to the autowallah to charge less. What if he were to suggest me to charge less? Each one should be responsible for the fee they collect.

You can have a look at the pics that I took from my mobile while traveling by the rick.