Gastro‐intestinal Side Effects and Psychotropic Drugs

Gastro-intestinal side effects commonly occur with psychotropic drugs, particularly when more than one agent is taken. Because of their widespread prescription and the continued social use of alcohol, it is necessary to test for interaction between these agents. Drug-induced atropine-like effects in humans (including dry mouth, constipation and paralytic ileus) are described and related to animal experiments. Radiological investigations in mice indicate that alcohol delays the passage of barium along the gut, and this effect is enhanced by psychotropic drugs. Related drug interactions may result in prolonged or delayed adverse reactions. Late (delayed) deaths, recently recorded in humans and animals, may be associated with the inhibition of gastro-intestinal motility by ethical psychotropic agents, particularly when taken together with alcohol. Patients given these drugs should in general be warned against the concurrent use of alcohol.