COVER

HEALTHY AGING

MEDICATIONS AND ALCOHOL

Sponsored by 
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Center for Community Health
Division of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Bureau of Substance Abuse Services

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Family, work, hobbies, travel...all this can lead to a pleasant and productive life!
Don’t let problems with medications or alcohol slow you down. Take a few simple steps to promote health in your life!

Step 1: Know your medications

Medications can help you feel better and be healthy. But it’s important that you use your medications safely and correctly. Taking medications correctly will help you to:
•	Avoid side effects caused from medication “interactions” (when medications react with each other) 
•	Prevent dangerous interactions between medications and alcohol.  Interactions can make some medications too strong, and others not powerful enough.

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Did you know that combining Western medications with Chinese medicine, herbs, and dietary supplements can cause serious side effects? 

Did you know that prescription medications can interact with “over-the-counter” medications and supplements? Over-the-counter means any medicine you can buy without a prescription. For example, these include:
•	Aspirin and pain relievers
•	Cold or allergy medicine
•	Antacids
•	Laxatives
•	Vitamins and minerals
•	Herbal and dietary supplements
•	Home remedies

Tips for taking your medications more safely:
•	Inform your medical personnel (family doctor, nurse, pharmacist, herbalist, etc.) about all of the prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications, herbs, dietary supplements, and home remedies you may be taking.
•	Make a list of what they are for, how much to take, and when to take them. Your pharmacist, nurse, family doctor, or herbalist can help you make this list. 
•	Use a medication chart. Order a free copy of “Prescription Medicines and You: A Consumer Guide” (1-800-358-9295, English only), which includes a fill-in chart. Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist may also have medication charts.
•	Bring your list, chart, or medications to all your medical visits.

And remember!
•	Take medications as prescribed. If you have any questions about your prescriptions, contact your family doctor.
•	Don’t share prescription medications with others.
•	Ask medical personnel to go over all your medications at each visit. Be sure you understand when and how much of your medications and supplements you need to take. 
•	If you have questions about anything you are taking, it is important to ask the person who gave it to you.  

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Step 2: Find out the facts about alcohol and its effects

Did you know that:
•	One form of traditional Chinese medicine, drug/wine, is alcohol and it can have the same effects as other regular alcohol.
•	Older adults are more sensitive to alcohol and drug/wine than younger adults.
•	Alcohol and drug/wine can interact with some prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, herbs, and supplements.
•	Alcohol and drug/wine can be especially risky for people with high blood pressure, diabetes, liver disease, and dementia.
•	Alcohol and drug/wine can contribute to falls, trouble sleeping, and heart and other health problems.

You can help prevent problems with alcohol. Even if you have only a small amount on a special occasion, it’s important to know how alcohol may affect you. Talk with medical personnel to find out:
•	If alcohol is safe for you
•	How much is safe for you to drink
•	If alcohol will interact with your medications (your pharmacist can also help)

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Maximum recommended drinking limits for adults age 65 and older are:
•	Men - One drink per day 
•	Women - Less than one drink per day 
Drinking more than the recommended limit of alcohol can be unhealthy.

Remember, one drink is:
•	One can (12 oz.) of beer
•	A single shot (1.5 oz.) of hard liquor (such as whiskey and mao tai)
•	A glass (5 oz.) of wine
•	A small glass (4 oz.) of sherry, liqueur, or aperitif
Source: Consensus Panel, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 
US Department of Health and Human Services

Tips for preventing interactions with medications:
•	If you take sleeping pills, pain pills, or pills for anxiety (nerves), alcohol can be especially dangerous. Talk with your medical personnel before you drink alcohol.
•	Let your family doctor, and herbalist know if you drink, even if it’s just once in a while, so you can be as safe as possible.
•	Look for warning labels on medications. Read the information that comes with each medication or talk with your pharmacist.
•	Choose a non-alcoholic beverage instead of alcohol.

Shaded Box:

Can alcohol be good for my health?
While some reports say a little alcohol might benefit some people, it can be very unhealthy for others. Here are some important tips:
•	Talk with your family doctor about alcohol.
•	Don’t drink more than the recommended limit of alcohol (see box above).
•	If you don’t drink alcohol now, don’t start.

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Step 3:
Watch out for signs of health problems
The tips in this brochure can help you prevent medication mistakes and problems with alcohol. Sometimes, retirement or poor health can lead to a problem that requires help.

You can watch for signs of a medication or alcohol problem, such as:
•	Poor memory
•	Accidents or getting hurt
•	Sleeping problems
•	Feeling depressed

If you think you might have a problem, talk with someone who can help. You can talk with a family member, doctor, nurse, or staff at a senior center. You can also get help any time by calling the Massachusetts Substance Abuse Information and Education Helpline at 1-800-327-5050 (translation services in 140 languages available).

If you think someone you know is having a problem with medications or alcohol:
•	Let the person know you are concerned. Explain why, such as, “The last time I saw you, you seemed to have trouble keeping your balance.”
•	Encourage him or her to talk with someone who can help.
•	Let the person know that treatment for medication or alcohol problems can help.

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Step 4:
Get the help and support you need

Getting support—and giving support to others—can be good ways to help prevent problems and stay healthy. Here are some suggestions:
•	Use the resources listed on the back of this brochure. Help can be just a phone call away.
•	Get involved in free or low-cost activities at a recreational or senior center, social club, place of worship, or other organization.
•	Help others, volunteer.
•	Pursue hobbies: work in a garden, cook, read, dance, walk, exercise, tai chi, or listen to books on tape.
•	Make new friends. Saying “hello” is often enough to start a friendship.

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Resources and Services
Medication Information and Assistance
•	Massachusetts Prescription Advantage Program
1-800-AGE INFO (1-800-243-4636) (toll-free, English only)
Information on the state’s prescription medication program for
elders and other elder services and programs, including local
senior centers.
•	MassMedLine
1-866-633-1617 (toll-free, English only)
Information about free or low-cost prescription programs, and answers to health and medication questions. Interpreter services available.
•	“Prescription Medicines and You: A Consumer Guide”
1-800-358-9295 (toll-free, English only)
Includes a medication chart that can help you keep track of your 
medications, herbs, and supplements.
(US Department of Health and Human Services/AHRQ publication)

Substance Abuse Information and Treatment
•	Massachusetts Substance Abuse Information and Education Helpline (24 hours, 7 days a week) • 1-800-327-5050 
(toll-free, translation services available in 140 languages)  
TTY: 617-536-5872    www.helpline-online.com 
Information and referrals on alcohol and drug abuse services, 
programs, and related concerns.

Health
•	Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse
1-800-952-6637 (toll-free) • TTY: 617-536-5872 (English only)
www.maclearinghouse.com • Free health brochures.
•	Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Healthy Aging 617-624-5070 (English only)
Provides information on opportunities for older people to learn about and take responsibility for their own health. http://www.mass.gov/dph/fch/elderhealth
•	Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center
1-800-410-5288  • www.gbcgac.org
Provides a wide-range of health and social services for Chinese-speaking  Asian elders and their families in Eastern Massachusetts including Boston, Quincy, Brighton, Brookline, Cambridge, and Malden.  

Funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Produced by Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse, 
The Medical Foundation
www.maclearinghouse.com

6/06
SA1027