-What are the possible mechanisms involved in the occurrence of tolerance to chronic alcohol intake:

There can be changes or adjustments in the central nervous system due to the constant exposure on the receptors or secondary messengers.

There can be an increase in the MEOS system when alcohol in chronically used.

There can be an increase in the metabolism of ethanol and also clearance of other drugs in the body that are eliminated by cytochrome P450 enzymes.

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

Liver diseases like hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver failure may happen since the tissues of the liver will be damaged when alcohol is chronically consumed. The damage to the tissue is because of the effects of ethanol and acetaldehyde.

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

It is a syndrome that is because of neuropathy. The characteristics of this syndrome is the paralysis of the external eye muscles, ataxia, confusion and coma that can lead to death. It is associated with a thiamine deficiency and parenteral thiamine is given to patients with chronic alcohol effects. Even though the syndrome can’t always be reversed, the thiamine is given to prevent permanent damage to the brain.

-What is foetal alcohol syndrome? Explain. :

Foetal alcohol syndrome is caused by alcohol consumption when the mother is pregnant. The alcohol that is consumed then causes teratogenic effects. If someone is exposed to alcohol in the uterus, it may cause developmental disabilities and cognitive/behavioural defects because it causes damage to the developing neurons. Foetal alcohol syndrome is presented as mental retardation, growth deficiency, microcephaly and underdevelopment of the middle facial area.

-How do the pharmacokinetic interactions of acute alcohol consumption differ from chronic alcohol consumption:

Acute alcohol consumption decreases the metabolism of drugs, which causes the drugs to accumulate and cause central nervous system suppression. Drugs include: tricyclic anti-depressants, phenothiazines and other sedative-hypnotics.

Chronic consumption of alcohol increases the metabolism of drugs so that means the drug has a shortened duration of action.

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

Phenothiazines, tricyclic anti-depressants and other sedative hypnotic’s metabolism will be decreased with acute alcohol consumption due to a decrease in enzyme activity and liver blood flow. Vasodilators and hypoglycaemic drugs also react with acute alcohol consumption which causes a vasodilatory effect in the body (lower blood pressure, decreased heart rate). Alcohol also increases the anti-platelet effect of aspirin.