Evidence mapPaperPMID 41936047Full record

ReviewAlcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire)2026

Alcohol-medication interactions among older people: a narrative review on age-specific evidence.

Francesco Salis, Maristella Belfiori, Roberta Agabio, Antonella Mandas

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Francesco SalisDepartment of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu Km 0,700, Monserrato, Cagliari, 09042, Italy.
Maristella BelfioriDepartment of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu Km 0,700, Monserrato, Cagliari, 09042, Italy.ORCID 0009-0009-7713-7543
Roberta AgabioDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu Km 0,700, Monserrato, Cagliari, 09042, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-7395-6845
Antonella MandasDepartment of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu Km 0,700, Monserrato, Cagliari, 09042, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimsAlcohol use is relatively common in older adults, representing a challenge for geriatricians. Older people are also prone to chronically taking multiple medications. Concerns are raised about potential alcohol-medication interactions (AMIs). This review aims to summarize current evidence on AMIs in older adults.

methodsWe conducted a literature search using MEDLINE up to 18 June 2025. Of 481 identified studies, 37 were considered pertinent and discussed in this review.

resultsEpidemiological data reveal that slightly over 25% (from ~20% to 80%) of older adults concurrently take alcohol and potentially interact with medications. Negative effects related to potential AMIs range from excessive sedation when old people take benzodiazepines, opioids, or antipsychotics, to hypoglycemia when they take sulfonylureas. Pharmacokinetic modifications can depend on physiological age-related changes in the human body. This evidence mostly derives from studies not focused on older adults.

conclusionsDespite their clinical importance, few studies focus on AMIs in older adults. The limited awareness among both healthcare providers and patients represents a significant public health issue. Routine alcohol use screening, universally shared lists of potential AMIs, and larger longitudinal studies are necessary to further explore the theme and mitigate risks.

Indexed as

Alcohol DrinkingEthanolAgedAge FactorsBenzodiazepinesDrug InteractionsHumansBenzodiazepinesEthanolalcohol useAMIgeriatricspharmacology

Identifiers

PMID41936047
PMCPMC13050505

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.