Alcohol: Gastrointestinal and other Toxicities

Abstract

This article will focus on the two areas of alcohol injury: first, the gastrointestinal system, primarily liver toxicity and cirrhosis, and second, the human toll in injury, examining injury epidemiology information that estimates alcohol's involvement in trauma. Any pharmacist consulting in any capacity, especially related to gastrointestinal disorders, will need to understand the significant sociological, pathological, pharmacological, and psychological impact of alcohol. Pharmacists providing care, including dispensing many different drugs to patients, should be cognizant of the interacting effects of alcohol and the need to warn patients. Finally, the reader will learn of a case in which a pharmacist was sued for not warning about the use of alcohol with a central nervous system depressant, and the resultant litigation after that lawsuit.