Alcohol

Question 1

What is disulfiram?

Answer 1

• Aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor
• makes consumption of alcohol unpleasant
• as causes build up acetaldehyde which causes hangover effects

Question 2

What is acamprosate?

Answer 2

• NMDA receptor antagonist

- reduce craving for alcohol in alcohol dependent patients

Question 3

What is naltrexone?

Answer 3

• opiate receptor antagonist

- reduce euphoria associated with alcohol use

Question 4

What is chlordiazepoxide?

Answer 4

• Benzodiazepine
• Potentiate GABAa receptors
• risk of dependence and should be avoided if likelihood of continued alcohol use

Question 5

How do you calculate units for alcohol?

Answer 5

Units = (volume x % abv)/1000

Question 6

How much does 1 unit taste blood alcohols levels by?

Answer 6

• 15mg/100ml

Question 7

At what rate is alcohol metabolised?

Answer 7

15mg/100ml per hour I.e. 1 unit per hour

NB. Irrespective of the amount consumed

:. Blood conc. does not reach a plateau but continued to accumulate if you keep drinking lots

Question 8

What is the volume distribution of alcohol?

Answer 8

0.7litres/kg

Question 9

What are the physiological effects of alcohol?

Answer 9

1. Vasodilation
2. Gastric secretion (hunger)
3. Urine production (inhibition of ADH)
4. Liver damage - long term
5. Male impotence
6. Stimulates the mesolimbic dopamine pathway

Question 10

How does alcohol cause liver damage?

Answer 10

1. Accumulation of fatty acids

2. Can lead to death of liver cells and formation of fibrous scar tissue which can lead to permanent damage (cirrhosis)

Question 11

What is ethanol oxidised by?

Answer 11

1. Alcohol dehydrogenase
2. Aldehyde dehydrogenase

Both enzymes require cofactors NAD (linear rate of of ethanol metabolism due to limiting supply of NAD)

Question 12

What are the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal?

Answer 12

1. Tremor
2. Sweating
3. Nausea
4. Confusion
5. Hallucinations

Craving persists for much longer than physical symptoms