• What are the possible mechanisms involved in the occurrence of tolerance to chronic alcohol intake?

The consumption of alcohol in high doses over a long period results in tolerance and in physical and psychological dependence. it cross tolerance other sedative- hypnotics. it changes some of the process in the CNS and increases metabolic tempo

 

• What are the toxic effects of chronic alcohol consumption on the liver and hepatic metabolism?

Progressive ↓ liver function, hepatitis & cirrhosis 

• Worse in women than in men

 • Gluconeogenesis ↓, hypoglycemia and fat accumulation, nutrient deficiencies contributes to this 

• ↑ activity of liver microsomal enzymes

• What is Wernicke-Korsakoff-syndrome and how is it treated?

Wernicke- korsakoff syndrome is thiamine deficiency  characterised by ataxia, confusion, paralysis of facial muscles.

administer parenteral thiamine to prevent brain damage.

• Fully explain the foetal alcohol syndrome.

Teratogenic effects 

Children exposed to alcohol abuse during the 1st trimester in utero may exhibit a wide range of developmental disabilities and cognitive and behavioral deficits that reflect damage to the developing neurons. These effects may include: mental retardation, attention deficit disorders, perceptual problems, memory and learning disabilities, and psychomotor dysfunction. FAS, which is characterized by CNS impairments, growth retardation and characteristic facial dysmorphology is the most severe manifestation of alcohol neurogenesis.

 

• How do the pharmacokinetic interactions of acute alcohol consumption differ from that of chronic alcohol consumption?

Chronic ethanol ↑ metabolic transformation of other drugs and Acute alcohol: ↓ metabolism of drugs

• Name 4 drug interactions with alcohol where the pharmacological effects of the other drugs are potentiated by alcohol.

paracetamol

phenobarbitone 

TCAs

sedative- hypnotics e.g. diazepam