Alcohol
Alcohol Information

About Alcohol

Alcohol is a CNS depressant. Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug in the world. Ethyl it has occuppied an important place in the history of humankind for at least 8000 years. In western society beer and wine were a main staple of daily life until the 19th century. Today Alcohol is widely consumed. Alcohol is one of the least potent drugs consumed by the human, yet Alcohol is the cause of more preventable morbidity and mortality than all other drugs combined with the exception of tobacco. Like other sedative hyponotic drugs, it in low to moderate amounts relieves the anxiety and fosters a feeling of well being and causes a reduction of the symptoms and hormonal changes associated with stress.

Indications

Alcohol is primarily indicated in conditions like Kidney ablation, Nerve block, Poisoning of ethylene glycol and methanol, Premature labour.

Contraindication

Alcohol is contraindicated in conditions like Hepatic disease,Postpartum haemorrhage,Seizures,Renal impairment.

Side Effects

The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Alcohol, which give rise to further complications include Coma, Cardiomyopathy.The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Alcohol include Hypothermia, Metabolic acidosis, Hypoglycemia, CNS depression, Acute gastritis.The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Alcohol are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Drowsiness, Ataxia, Lethargy, Slurred speech, Hypothermia, Dysarthria, Amnesia, Disinhibtion.

Warnings

Ethyl alcohol should be used with caution in patients with diabetes mellitus because ethanol can cause hypoglycemia, resulting in poor diabetic control. In untreated diabetics, the rate of ethanol metabolism is reduced. It should not be administered to patients in diabetic coma. Regular use should be avoided in patients with gout. Ethyl alcohol should be administered cautiously in patients with CNS depression. It should be avoided in patients who once suffered from alcoholism unless it is used in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Ethyl alcohol should not be used during pregnancy or lactation.

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to Paediatrics, Pregnant Mothers, Geriatrics, and Neonates.If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.