Alcohol and toxicity

Question 1

How to calculate units of alcohol

Answer 1

ABV (%) x vol (ml)

Divide by 1000

Question 2

Max alcohol intake per week

Answer 2

14

Question 3

Where is alcohol absorbed?

Answer 3

Small intestine and stomach

Question 4

Distribution of alcohol

Answer 4

Portal venous blood

Question 5

Metabolism of alcohol

Answer 5

• Liver
• Alcohol dehydrogenase promotes oxidative metabolism via NAD+ → NADH, which breaks EtOH into acetaldehyde (hangover sx)
• Acetaldehyde broken down by aldehyde dehydrogenase to form acetate
• Acetate forms water and co2

Non-oxidative metabolism via FFA which forms esters

Question 6

Pharmacogenomics and alcohol toxicity

Answer 6

Different isoforms of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase exists

Question 7

Pharmacodynamics of alcohol

Answer 7

Unclear but depresses CNS functioning and disorders fluid in inner ear = dizziness

Question 8

Drink drive limit

Answer 8

80mg

Question 9

Effects of BAC 30

Answer 9

Euphoria, talkative, loss of self control

Question 10

Effects of BAC 80

Answer 10

Relaxation, loss of motor control

Question 11

Effects of BAC 100-200

Answer 11

Slurred speech, impaired motor coordination

Question 12

Effects of BAC >300

Answer 12

Loss of consciousness

Question 13

Effects of BAC >400

Answer 13

Depression of respiration and vasomotor centres

Question 14

Drug interactions

Answer 14

Affects CYP450 - warfarin and phenytoin

Question 15

Metronidazole and alcohol

Answer 15

Inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase - hangover effect after small amounts of alcohol