[Improper use of medications with alcohol at a rural office]

To determine the prevalence of the joint use of alcohol and medication with the risk of interaction with alcohol, the social and personal features of patients most likely to use the two combined, and the extent of anti-alcohol medical counselling of these patients.

Prevalence study.

Primary care. Rural local clinic at Trigueros (Huelva).

581 histories of patients over 14, started between October 1993 and December 1996.

From the clinical histories we obtained the social and personal features, toxic habits, type and number of medicines prescribed, and whether or not there was medical counselling on alcohol consumption. Potential interactions were looked for through the list provided by Mengual Sandra and Gila Azañedo. 10.15% (95% CI, 7.8-12.9) of the subjects consumed at the same time medication with risk of interaction and alcohol. Males (OR = 7.1), over-65s (OR = 4.9), married people (OR = 3.1) and smokers (OR = 2.3) were more likely to combine alcohol and at-risk medication. 6.8% of the patients with potential risk of interaction were counselled against alcohol.

The simultaneous use of alcohol (as drinks or a component of medicine) and at-risk drugs is a common reality in primary care. Men, the over-65s, smokers and married people are at greater risk. Medical counselling of patients at potential risk of interaction is quite rare, although it is greater than of drinkers who do not take at-risk medicines.