Alcohol absorption

The relationship between alcohol levels and impairment is further complicated by drinkers expectancies about the level of impairment produced by alcohol. One study found that, as well as the rate of alcohol absorption, drinkers who expected more impairment from alcohol were worse on a psychomotor task than those who expected relatively less impairment, but had the same weight and history of drinking... 

Describe the many factors which can affect alcohol absorption. 

Electronic absorption spectra of alcohols in strong proton acids (H2SO4) were obtained by Rosenbaum and Symons (1059, 1960). They observed for a number of simple aliphatic alcohols absorption maxima... 

Yoshikawa M, Murakami T, Ueno T, Kadoya M, Matsuda H, Yamahara J, Murakami N. (1995) Bioactive saponins and glycosides, i. senegae radix. (1) E-senegasaponins a and b and z-senegasaponins a and b, their inhibitory effect on alcohol absorption and hypoglycemic activity. Chem Pharm Bull 43 2115-2122. 

Alcohol, or more precisely ethanol, is readily absorbed from the stomach and the intestine. Elapsed time from the last drink of alcohol to the highest blood level is about 30 minutes. As direct experience bears out, alcohol absorption is slowed by the presence of food in the stomach however, once it reaches the small intestine, however, alcohol absorption is rapid. Alcohol can also be absorbed by the lungs and can be a significant industrial hazard. 

The spectra of alcohols and phenols determined in the liquid state, show a broad absorption band in the 769-650 cm-1 region because of out-of-plane bending of the bonded O—H group. Some spectra showing typical alcoholic absorptions are shown in Appendix B ethyl alcohol (No. 16) and methanol (No. 15). 

This is usually accompanied by considerable evolution of heat and the reaction is very difficult to reverse. For instance, when cold platinum sponge is held in the vapors of alcohol absorption proceeds with enormous evolution of heat — the sponge becomes red hot and ignites the alcohol. This propetty has been used in some lighters 1... 

Gentian (Genf/ana lutea) Uses T Appetite, treat digestive disorders such as colitis, IBS, flatulence Actions Chemical components stimulate digestive juices Available forms Liq extract 2-4g PO OD, tine 1-3 g PO OD, dried root 2-A g PO OD Contra Do not use PRG, lactation, HTN Notes/SE N/V, HA Interactions T CNS sedation W/ barbiturates, benzodiazepines, EtOH if extract/tinc contains alcohol absorption OF Fe salts EMS many preps contain up to 60% EtOH... 

The infrared spectrum of the starting alcohol shows a broad absorption at 3400-3640 cm 1 due to an O-H stretch. The alkene product exhibits medium intensity absorbances at 1645-1670 cm-1 and at 3000-3100 cm-1. Monitoring the disappearance of the alcohol absorption makes it possible to decide when reaction is complete. It is also possible to monitor the appearance of the alkene absorptions. 

Fraser AG, Prewett EJ, Hndson M, Sawyerr AM, Rosalki SB, Pounder RE. The effect of ranitidine, cimetidine or famotidine on low-dose post-prandial alcohol absorption. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1991 5(3) 263-72. 

The GABA receptors are one locus that likely is a specific neural site of alcohol s action in the body. Identifying a specific receptor mechanism is difficult, however, because alcohol s effects on the body are so diffuse. Alcohol is a food primarily absorbed from the small intestine. The rate of alcohol absorption can vary widely according to an individual s physiological and situational factors. 

During the period of active alcohol absorption (30 to 120 minutes before peak venous blood alcohol concentration), the alcohol concentration in arterial blood may be higher than that in peripheral venous blood. Consequently, breath alcohol concentration may also be higher than that in venous blood during this absorption phase, because end-expiratory air equilibrates with pulmonary arterial blood. The potential consequences of performing breath alcohol analysis during the absorption phase have been the subject of considerable debate. ... 

Holt, S. (1981) Observations on the relation between alcohol absorption and the rate of gastric emptying. 

The molar absorptivity of the thiocyanate complex in isoamyl alcohol (absorption spectrum shown in Fig. 31.1) is EbTO" (specific absorptivity 0.17) at 470 nm. 

Yeah, -those are the Carboxylic brothers, and you knovt vrhat their alcohol absorption rate is. ... 

Orange-colored prisms from toluene, mp 213. [alias -75 (c = 0.28 in alcohol). Absorption max (chloroform) 458,428 nm. Practically insol in water. Sol in dil NaOH or NajCOj solns, in chloroform, ale, acetic add and benzene sparingly sol in ether. 

Off-white needles front methylene chloride/hexane, mp 119. Practically insol in water. Sol in alcohol. Absorption spectrum Wessely, Kottan, Monatsh. 86, 430 (1955). 

Some, but not all, studies have found that cimetidine and ranitidine can increase serum alcohol levels by 10-300% (perhaps via inhibition of alcohol dehydrogenase in the gastric mucosa, leading to enhanced alcohol absorption). 

Yoshikawa, M. et al "Bioactive Saponins and Glycosides...from Seeds of Camellia japonica L. Structures and Inhibitory Activity on Alcohol Absorption," Chem Pharm Bulletin, 1996, vol. 4-1, (10), pp. 1899-1907,... 

Edelbroek MAL, Horowitz M, Wishart JM, Akkermans LMA. Effects of erythromycin on gastric emptying, alcohol absorption and small intestinal transit in normal subjects. J Nucl Med (1993) 34, 582-8. 

A study in subjects given 0.75 g/kg of alcohol found that single doses of cimetidine 800 mg, nizatidine 300 mg, or ranitidine 300 mg raised blood alcohol levels at 45 minutes by 26% (from 75.5 to 95.2 mg%), 17.5% (from 75.5 to 88.7 mg%) and 3.3% (75.5 to 78 mg%), respectively, and the AUCs at 120 minutes were increased by 25%, 20% and 9.8%, respectively. Each of the subjects said they felt more inebriated after taking cimetidine or nizatidine. Another report briefly mentions that both nizatidine and ranitidine have similar effects on alcohol absorption to cime-tidine. ... 

The hypoglycaemic effect is not considered to be due to effects on alcohol absorption but may be an effect of H2-receptor antagonists on glucose metabolism. ... 

A study in 7 subjects found that 20 mg of intravenous metoclopramide increased the rate of alcohol absorption, and the peak blood levels were raised from 55 to 86 mg%. Similar results were seen in 2 healthy subjects given metoclopramide orally. Another study in 7 healthy subjects found that 10 mg of intravenous metoclopramide accelerated the rate of absorption of alcohol 70 mg/kg given orally, and increased its peak levels, but not to a statistically significant extent. Blood alcohol levels remained below 12 mg%. More importantly the sedative effects of the alcohol were increased. The reasons for this effect are not fully understood, but it appears to be related to an increase in gastric emptying. These two studies were done to find out more about intestinal absorption mechanisms rather than to identify daily practicalities, so the importance of the findings is uncertain. However, it seems possible that the effects of alcohol will be increased. Metoclopramide alone can sometimes cause drowsiness, and if affected, patients should not drive or operate machinery. 

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