Alcohol chronic toxicity

Subacute and chronic toxicity of alcohol and alcohol ether sulfates has been extensively tested in several animals and sometimes humans. The duration of the tests was in some cases as long as 2 years. When administered below the toxic amount no specific damages were observed in any of the species tested [333]. No severe side effects were observed in the study by Swisher, carried out with volunteers who ingested considerable amounts of anionic and nonionic surfactants over long periods [348]. Similarly, the effects produced by the intake of daily doses of 1 g of alcohol sulfate per person over 8 weeks [349],... 

Acetaminophen is usually well tolerated, but potentially fatal hepatotoxicity with overdose is well documented. It should be used with caution in patients with liver disease and those who chronically abuse alcohol. Chronic alcohol users (three or more drinks daily) should be warned about an increased risk of liver damage or GI bleeding with acetaminophen. Other individuals do not appear to be at increased risk for GI bleeding. Renal toxicity occurs less frequently than with NSAIDs. 

Alcohol abuse and dependence, widely known as alcoholism, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Its acute and chronic toxicity spreads across multiple systems and organs, from child abuse to domestic or public violence to traffic accidents and from cirrhosis to hypertension. Mean life expectancy of alcohol abusers is around 55 years. Alcohol seems involved in several hundred thousand deaths each year in Europe, with considerable added social and health care costs. This is in clear contrast with the little attention paid to the treatment of alcohol dependence and abuse. On the other hand, much is made of the French Paradox , the J curve and the demonstrated cardiovascular benefits of regular moderate wine intake. 

SAFETY PROFILE Moderately toxic by intraperitoneal route. Human systemic effects by inhalation conjunctiva irritation, headache, and somnolence. A human eye irritant. Apparently more toxic than butyl acetate. Chronic toxicity is of a low order. Dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame can react with oxidizing materials. Moderately explosive in the form of vapor when exposed to flame. To fight fire, use alcohol foam, dry chemical. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. See also ESTERS, AMYL ALCOHOL, and ACETIC ACID. 

Chronic heavy use of alcohol may have numerous physiological and psychological effects. All the effects involve increased dysfunction, and some may be fatal. Some chronic alcohol effects are caused directly by alcohol s toxicity to the body, such as damage to the liver. Other effects are indirectly related to long-term abusive drinking. For example, Wernicke s disease, which involves impaired cognitive functioning, is caused by nutritional deficiencies that tend to occur in people who are dependent on alcohol (Brands et al., 1998). 

Many of these reactions are related to the quantity of excipient found in a dosage form in relation to acute toxicity and repeated cumulative exposure in relation to chronic toxicity. Benzyl alcohol benzalkonium chloride, propylene glycol, lactose, and polysorbates are aU associated with dose-related toxic reactions (44,45,47). Large-volume parenterals containing 1.5% benzyl alcohol as a preservative have caused... 

Aliphatic hydrocarbons exhibit mild toxicity but primarily an anesthetic effect. Higher fatty alcohols are nontoxic. Aromatic hydrocarbons are narcotics. Benzene exhibits both acute and chronic toxicity. The chronic effects — anemia, abnormal increase... 

B. Chronic toxicity has been reported after daily consumption of suprathera-peutic doses (more than 4-6 g/day) by alcoholic patients. Children have developed toxicity after receiving as little as 60-150 mg/kg/day for 2-8 days. 

Acetaminophen may alter blood glucose test results, causing falsely lower blood glucose values. Use with the barbiturates, hydantoins, isoniazid, and rifampin may increase the toxic effects and possibly decrease the therapeutic effects of acetaminophen. The effects of the loop diuretics may be decreased when administered with acetaminophen. Hepatotoxicity has occurred in chronic alcoholics who are taking moderate doses of acetaminophen. 

Several studies conducted in experimental animals have demonstrated that diets deficient in protein exacerbate the oral toxicity of endosulfan (Boyd 1972 Boyd et al. 1970 Das and Garg 1981). These results suggest that people who consume low-protein diets, such as chronic alcoholics, dieters, food faddists, various cults, some ethnic groups, the elderly, and some people living in depressed areas or underdeveloped countries, may be more susceptible to the toxic effects of endosulfan. 

The myopathy associated with chronic alcohol abuse has also been associated with increased free-radical activity (Martin and Peters, 1985) as have various other toxicity syndromes affecting muscle, such as cocaine toxity (Kloss et al., 1983). Little work appears to have been undertaken on the possible role of free radicals in the inflammatory myopathies, although, by analogy with other inflammatory disorders, this is likely to be an area worthy of further study. 

---