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Re: Fatigue, alcohol » Cynthia

Posted by ayuda on January 5, 2003, at 21:57:17

In reply to Fatigue, alcohol, posted by Cynthia on January 5, 2003, at 21:25:45

> Hi. This is my first experience with medication of any kind. I started on Neurontin and Carbamazepine about 3 months ago. The Neurontin didn't have any discernible effect on me, and the Carbamazepine appeared to be making me very fatigued. Then my nurse practitioner switched me out of those 2 and over to Lexapro (10mgs in the morning) about 6 weeks ago. Lexapro is my first anti-depressant of any kind. Given the regime so far, the anger and anxiety are gone, but there is still some irritability and frustration. However, overall I am much, much happier. There is almost a glow to my outlook. However, I still feel somewhat fatigued. I've decided to follow what someone else said earlier and cut my dosage to 5mgs and take it at night. Maybe the fatigue will go away. My question for the pharma rep is: I read in the Lexapro literature that the manufacturer warns to avoid alcohol. Why? What happens? What percentage of people does this affect? How important is abstinence from alcohol? Is total abstinence necessary? Perhaps this is what is causing my fatigue? Thanks.
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That's a typical warning for ADs, and they never tell you why. It's just because alcohol is a depressant, and using it while taking an AD defeats the purpose. It's similar to using an antacid while taking an antibiotic -- it cancels the action of the medication, or slows it.

I have a glass of wine or a beer every now and then, and I can tell the next day that the meds aren't working as well, but it won't kill you. It's a good idea to stay away from alcohol if you suffer from depression anyhow. But if you have some while on an AD, it isn't the end of the world. They just make you think that it is by the way they warn against it.


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URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021230/msgs/134679.html