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Edition 2 - June 2003

Shaken or Stirred: Alcohol and Medications

"You tend to talk telephone numbers after a while if you've had a few drinks.
That's the effect it has on me anyway with medication"
Vietnam veteran

As this veteran found out, the combination of medications and alcohol can seriously stuff up your head as well as your telephone directory. Some other veterans have told us similar stories, making bad calls with alcohol and often using it instead of prescribed medications.

Wrong Numbers

Whatever numbers you use, alcohol just simply does not add up to good medication. It's no good as a pain killer and certainly not much good as an anti-depressant. What's really worrying, is the fact that there is a high level of alcohol consumption by veterans diagnosed with PTSD, since it is known to make the symptoms of PTSD worse.

Common Interactions with Alcohol

Type of medication	In combination with alcohol:
Antidepressants (Eg. Prozac, Zoloft, Tryptanol etc).	May cause a range of side-effects including increasing the sedating effect.
Benzodiazepines (Eg Valium, Serapax, Normison etc).	Increase drowsiness and sedation and decrease motor skills.
Cough medicines that contain antihistamines, codeine and alcohol.	May cause drowsiness, and increase the amount of alcohol consumed.
Drugs for high blood pressure or angina.	Can cause dizziness.
Medications to lessen the risk of blood clotting and stroke.	Can affect the control of blood clotting.
Arthritis medicines.	May cause stomach upsets.

Not all medications are covered above. If not mentioned here do not assume that it is OK to combine with alcohol. You need to check it out.

Over the Counter and Herbal Medications

Did you know that herbal products such as Chamomile, Echinacea and Valerian can cause increased drowsiness when combined with alcohol? Or that cough syrups and mouthwashes contain a relatively high percentage of alcohol? Listerine, for instance, contains over 20 per cent alcohol. Check the label and ask for alcohol-free preparations. To be safe, check the label with all medications - over the counter, (OTC), herbal and prescribed.

Good Calls

Here are a few simple rules to follow with all medications:

Read the labels and product information supplied with your medications (including herbal preparations)
Be prepared to reduce your drinking or stop drinking altogether when taking medication.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist about any aspect of your medication including possible interactions with alcohol.
If in doubt ring the DVA Pharmacy Adviser in your state on 133 254

So don't get your lines crossed or you could end up as part of that cocktail - shaken or stirred.

Latest News

Drug Action Week 2003
23-28 June 2003

Drug Action Week is a national week of activities to raise awareness about alcohol and other drug issues and to promote the achievements of those who work to reduce drug related harm. It also aims to promote public debate about good practice strategies for reducing drug related harm in Australia.

Click on the link below for more information on how to get involved and useful links.

http://www.therightmix.gov.au/news.asp

Drug Action Week is an initiative of the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA).