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Medication and alcohol in nursing homes

Cossham Hospital, Lodge Road, Kingswood, Bristol BSI5 ILF

EDITED BY MATTHEW HOTOPF

Furniss et al (2000) report the findings from a promising trial which addresses the inappropriate use of medication in nursing homes. They conclude that a pharmacist's review followed by a reduction in medication does not necessarily increase rates of morbidity or mortality. However, one commonly used drug that was not included in their review was alcohol.

Significant rates of alcohol misuse have been recorded in nursing home settings (Johnson, 2000), and interactions between prescribed (as well as over-the-counter) medication and alcohol pose significant risks for older people drinking unregulated amounts of alcohol. Alcohol interacts with many of the commonly prescribed medications cited in the study, especially anti-depressants and sedatives. Therefore, residents in the study who drink alcohol will have benefited from the intervention of stopping medication by removing the risk of a potentially dangerous drug reaction.

As part of a survey in Bristol, I approached the managers of several residential homes to find out whether they held a policy regarding alcohol use in the home. None of the seven homes surveyed had such a policy in place, despite some residents having alcohol problems, and it was not unusual for homes to sell alcohol on the premises, either across a bar or in a shop.

Pharmacists have a key role in advising patients of potential interactions with alcohol (Ward, 1997). The provision of clear and up-to-date information about these interactions could form part of an alcohol policy in nursing and residential homes.

REFERENCES

Furniss, L., Burns, A., Craig, S. K. L., et al (2000) Effects of a pharmacist's medication review in nursing homes. Randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Psychiatry, 176, 563-567.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

Johnson, I. (2000) Alcohol problems in old age: A review of recent epidemiological research. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, in press.

Ward, M. (1997) Older People and Alcohol — A Neglected Area?, p. 63. London: Health Education Authority.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Johnson, I. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Johnson, I.