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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by shadowplayers721 on January 30, 2007, at 10:40:25
In reply to Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by nolegirl23 on January 29, 2007, at 18:05:18
Alcohol and ssri's work on the central nervous system. They put that warning on there, because it is risky (potentially deadly).
I had a person give me a drink. I thought it was vodka. It wasn't. It was 180 proof. I nearly died from it and I wasn't taking meds then. Just think what would have happened if I was taking meds - ssri's or benzo's, etc.
There are so many scenarios that affect alcohol in your system- the potency, how much you ate, how slow you drink it, how much you drink, you weight, etc. Alcohol is considered another drug, so they don't advocate doing your own chemistry test on yourself by mixing the two. But, I have to say - showing up in the ER from drinking on meds with "No Alcohol" labels on them is really frowned on by the staff trying to save your life.
Posted by rina on January 30, 2007, at 13:55:05
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by shadowplayers721 on January 30, 2007, at 10:40:25
> Alcohol and ssri's work on the central nervous system. They put that warning on there, because it is risky (potentially deadly).
>
> I had a person give me a drink. I thought it was vodka. It wasn't. It was 180 proof. I nearly died from it and I wasn't taking meds then. Just think what would have happened if I was taking meds - ssri's or benzo's, etc.
>
> There are so many scenarios that affect alcohol in your system- the potency, how much you ate, how slow you drink it, how much you drink, you weight, etc. Alcohol is considered another drug, so they don't advocate doing your own chemistry test on yourself by mixing the two. But, I have to say - showing up in the ER from drinking on meds with "No Alcohol" labels on them is really frowned on by the staff trying to save your life.Just to piggyback on what was just said. Alcohol and Effexor almost cost me my life. I drank with the meds and ended up in the emergency room for 4 days, then had to be checked in the psych ward for three days because I tried to kill myself and I never had those thoughts before that experience.
Posted by linkadge on January 30, 2007, at 16:10:02
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by rina on January 30, 2007, at 13:55:05
I think that a lot of people probably combine alcohol with SSRIs without problem.
Sure you could say that alcohol is a depressant, but that makes no sense because benzo's are depressants, and benzos are prescribed in conjunction with SSRI's all the time.
Sure, if you get piss drunk all the time, you're probably going to compromise your recovery, but I think that "don't drink" while on meds is a bit of a blanket statement.
Linakdge
Posted by Quintal on January 30, 2007, at 16:26:30
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by linkadge on January 30, 2007, at 16:10:02
I drank while taking all my meds, including MAOIs, benzos and antipsychotics, with no serious problems. At times I think there are some who feel overindulgence and hangover necessitate a visit to the ER. I then imagine the doctors and nurses in ER over-react when they discover their patient is taking psych meds and exaggerate any potential danger the said person may have been in to act as a deterrent.
Alcohol has never really depressed me, in fact the release of tension can actually make me feel better, even the next day so long as I don't drink to excess.
Q
Posted by Quintal on January 30, 2007, at 16:39:25
In reply to Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by nolegirl23 on January 29, 2007, at 18:05:18
>Now I know that I cannot drink on Xanax (which I take, 4 mgs per day). So, if I go out, I do not take Xanax; after all, I no longer want to die :)
Is there any specific reason why you feel you can't drink on Xanax? I drank while taking 8mg Klonopin (and Cipralex - UK brand of Lexapro) with no probs, it didn't seem to intensify the effect of alcohol as you might imagine it would, perhaps because of my tolerance to it?
I find something faintly ridiculous about this 'DO NOT DRINK ON BENZOS' lark. It's almost certainly safe unless you're already taking such a high dose that you're verging on respiratory depression *and* planning to drink enough to sink a battleship *and* shoot up Heroin *and* down some barbs and GHB. If on the other hand you're having a glass or two of wine just to be sociable with friends then go ahead, there's really nothing to worry about.
Q
Posted by Phillipa on January 30, 2007, at 19:00:25
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by Quintal on January 30, 2007, at 16:26:30
Quintal that's how it affected me too. Love Phillipa
Posted by Nolegirl323 on January 30, 2007, at 19:54:01
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by becksA on January 29, 2007, at 21:35:12
> ok this is probably the worst post on here in years, but i can attest to drinking HEAVILY (also a college partier myself), on large doses (prescribed) of SSRI's, benzos, you name it. however, I must also say for some reason I've always been sort of a crazy case medically. My metabolism is completely wacko. I came off of 14mg xanax XR daily in about 1 month. I came off 14 mg klonopin daily in about 2 months. but yeah, I drank..and drank. the only noticeable thing i saw was definite loss of inhibition.
I'm sorry if I offended, but why do you think that my post is the worst one that has been posted in years?I am really being serious, and now I feel like a jerk for posting what you thought was the worst post in years...
Posted by Nolegirl323 on January 30, 2007, at 20:04:10
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by joslynn on January 30, 2007, at 9:58:35
> I actually have had a few mental health professionals tell me not to drink while taking any antidepressant, because alcohol is a depressant.
>
> One person...forget if it was a doc or therapist...said that if you are going to drink while taking an SSRI, "you may as well throw your pill out the window." That stuck with me. Of course they were exaggerating to make a point.
>
> My feeling is, I am so afraid of getting depressed again, I don't want to take anything that is classified as a depressant. I will ocassionally have a drink at a wedding, New Year's etc., but that's it. And even then, it makes me feel not so great.
>
> If things are going well for you on an antidepressant, then why would you want to take a depressant, i.e., alcohol? Is it that you feel funny not drinking with friends?
>
> Just so you know, I should add that my father is an alcoholic, active when I was growing up, so that has informed my view of alcohol.
>
> I think it can make you feel better for a few moments or hours short-term, but long term, alcohol is a depressant.
>
Yes, I do feel totally out of place, anxious and insecure until I have that cozy lil' wine buzz ..
Then the social butterfly in me comes out, and I feel like I am a 'normal' person..
I know, that is a sign of alcoholism (which runs in my family as well,)..
But the point of my post is to try and ascertain why I can't enjoy some wine or a few drinks while on Lexapro.. Am I going to die? Are the meds not going to work? Am I going to totally screw up my brain chemistry??By the way, thank you for all of your responses :)
Posted by Nolegirl323 on January 30, 2007, at 20:10:44
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by Quintal on January 30, 2007, at 16:26:30
> I drank while taking all my meds, including MAOIs, benzos and antipsychotics, with no serious problems. At times I think there are some who feel overindulgence and hangover necessitate a visit to the ER. I then imagine the doctors and nurses in ER over-react when they discover their patient is taking psych meds and exaggerate any potential danger the said person may have been in to act as a deterrent.
>
> Alcohol has never really depressed me, in fact the release of tension can actually make me feel better, even the next day so long as I don't drink to excess.
>
> QI am in total agreement. A glass of wine makes me feel calm, giggly and happy! I only get depressed when I get really drunk.. Then I cry at the drop of a hat; which is to be expected considering I have just consumed a large dose of a DEPRESSANT.
I don't really have hangovers, (except benzo withdrawl.. I DO NOT take my xanax when I drink...)
But the benzo withdrawl goes away when I take my morning dose of Xanax.Thanks for the response!
Posted by sunnydays on January 30, 2007, at 21:01:54
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by Nolegirl323 on January 30, 2007, at 20:04:10
> > I actually have had a few mental health professionals tell me not to drink while taking any antidepressant, because alcohol is a depressant.
> >
> > One person...forget if it was a doc or therapist...said that if you are going to drink while taking an SSRI, "you may as well throw your pill out the window." That stuck with me. Of course they were exaggerating to make a point.
> >
> > My feeling is, I am so afraid of getting depressed again, I don't want to take anything that is classified as a depressant. I will ocassionally have a drink at a wedding, New Year's etc., but that's it. And even then, it makes me feel not so great.
> >
> > If things are going well for you on an antidepressant, then why would you want to take a depressant, i.e., alcohol? Is it that you feel funny not drinking with friends?
> >
> > Just so you know, I should add that my father is an alcoholic, active when I was growing up, so that has informed my view of alcohol.
> >
> > I think it can make you feel better for a few moments or hours short-term, but long term, alcohol is a depressant.
> >
> Yes, I do feel totally out of place, anxious and insecure until I have that cozy lil' wine buzz ..
> Then the social butterfly in me comes out, and I feel like I am a 'normal' person..
> I know, that is a sign of alcoholism (which runs in my family as well,)..
> But the point of my post is to try and ascertain why I can't enjoy some wine or a few drinks while on Lexapro.. Am I going to die? Are the meds not going to work? Am I going to totally screw up my brain chemistry??
>
> By the way, thank you for all of your responses :)
>
**** I've been on Lexapro for two years, and I have had at most two drinks with it and been absolutely completely fine. I plan to drink more than two on my 21st birthday. I think as long as it's not a regular habit it's not a problem.sunnydays
Posted by Quintal on January 30, 2007, at 21:02:57
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by Nolegirl323 on January 30, 2007, at 20:10:44
There's really no need to put yourself through a withdrawal just to drink. Xanax is one of the least sedating benzos and should cause no problems with sane amounts of alcohol - really if anything it will just amplify the effect of alcohol and make your drink go further, saving you money. I didn't measure how much I was actually drinking, I just used common sense and stopped when I felt I'd had enough - no probs!
Q
Posted by Phillipa on January 30, 2007, at 21:20:43
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ? » Nolegirl323, posted by Quintal on January 30, 2007, at 21:02:57
I agree with Quintal although I would stick with wine or beer. Love Phillipa
Posted by rina on January 31, 2007, at 0:00:30
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by linkadge on January 30, 2007, at 16:10:02
> I think that a lot of people probably combine alcohol with SSRIs without problem.
>
> Sure you could say that alcohol is a depressant, but that makes no sense because benzo's are depressants, and benzos are prescribed in conjunction with SSRI's all the time.
>
> Sure, if you get piss drunk all the time, you're probably going to compromise your recovery, but I think that "don't drink" while on meds is a bit of a blanket statement.
>
>
> Linakdge
>
>
> To make a long story short. For me, drinking is not an option with any type of medicine for depression, anxiety, manic, bipolar or any other illness. I take the meds because I need them to help me stay better. Every drug has warning signs catered specifically for each medicine. I've yet to come across one that says,"take a risk,drink, it won't be your last, we just do studies for the heck of it and by the way, the choice is yours, life or death. Ladies and gentlemen, I choose life. The comment made about people that indulge in alcohol might end up in the hospital. That's just as fair as saying because a person that killed another while driving drunk, that's it's the deceased fault. Alcohol and Meds don't mix and by the way, it was the first drinking experience I'd ever had in life. I'm 36
Posted by shadowplayers721 on January 31, 2007, at 0:40:58
In reply to Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by nolegirl23 on January 29, 2007, at 18:05:18
I just thought of something. Ask you pdoc about med holiday? For example, if you know you are going to celebrate a wedding, birthday, etc, see what they say about a med holiday with ssri's. I am not knowledgeable. I think this was a good post. It's an important issue. Everyone has given good responses.
Personally, I had poor experiences with alcohol even without meds on board. This was a long time ago. People putting things in my drink at a party for the fun of it. So, I don't drink and haven't in years.
Posted by joslynn on January 31, 2007, at 10:17:55
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by Nolegirl323 on January 30, 2007, at 19:54:01
I can't speak for the poster, but from the way the sentence was written in the present tense ("this is") I think that he/she was not referring to your post, but about their own post as they were writing it. (Otherwise, I think they would have said "That was the worst post...")
Posted by joslynn on January 31, 2007, at 10:18:45
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by joslynn on January 31, 2007, at 10:17:55
Posted by Quintal on January 31, 2007, at 12:15:26
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by joslynn on January 31, 2007, at 10:17:55
>I can't speak for the poster, but from the way the sentence was written in the present tense ("this is") I think that he/she was not referring to your post, but about their own post as they were >writing it. (Otherwise, I think they would have said "That was the worst post...")
I thought that too. It seemed to me becksA was referring to his own post in that he might be accused of giving bad advice by some, for saying he drank heavily while taking medication.
Q
Posted by Simcha on January 31, 2007, at 13:51:47
In reply to Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by nolegirl23 on January 29, 2007, at 18:05:18
I'll weigh in on this...
When I was on Celexa (sister of Lexapro), I did have the occasional alcoholic drink. I am not a binge drinker. I very rarely get "drunk."
When my pdoc was taking away the Celexa and adding the Cymbalta he asked me if I drank and how much. I told him that I drink several times a week and it varies between 1-3 drinks per time. He said that so long as my use doesn't get higher than that, then I'll be OK.
I don't know about drinking on Lexapro specifically. I know that WellbutrinXL (one of the meds I'm on) says not to drink alcohol while on it. The psychiatrist told me that it was because of the way Wellbutrin lowers the seizure threashold and alcohol might complicate things in that regard.
Personally, I can take alcohol or leave it. The reason why I have a couple of drinks sometimes is because I like the flavor of certain beverages and have come to appreciate some of the finer alcoholic beverages. I usually drink with friends. Sometimes, before bed I'll have a dram of good Scotch.
I think that for each person the answer to "Should I drink on meds?" is a conversation that should happen between the prescribing physician and the patient. Beyond that, it's my body and I know it well and I want to keep it going. So, I'll seek advise and make my own decisions based on the advise and my own personal discernment process.
Simcha
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on January 31, 2007, at 14:30:33
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by Simcha on January 31, 2007, at 13:51:47
The thing is, I think alot of this confusion arises with the words.
'Depressed' means anything which is lower than normal, be it in spirits, pressure (weather systems), ground level, etc etc.
So when people say alcohol is a 'depressant' they mean it lowers the CNS - like Link said about benzos. Benzos are depressants like alcohol is. They lower the activity of the CNS.
Now, having a lowered CNS does not make you 'depressed' in the mental/psychiatric/pscyhological sense of the word, ie you have to have had at least two weeks of lowered mood etc.
Obviously if you're binge drinking or whatever and indulging in behavours that are likely to make you depressed mentally (like having fights/arguing with people/ringing up exs/whatever you do when you lose inhibitions).
And again, obviously if you're drinking too much you may feel depressed as in you're crying your heart out (like some of my girlfriends do regularly) but argubly that isn't 'depression'.
Anyway the point I am trying to make is that when people say 'alcohol is a 'depressant' they often use it thinking that it makes you depressed pscyhologically, when in fact, science says that alcohol is a CNS depressant. Which is different from psychological depression.
Anything can be 'depressed' -- the CNS, ground level, your mood, low pressure weather systems, etc.
Am I making any sense?
Does anyone at all see what I'm trying to say?
Posted by Quintal on January 31, 2007, at 14:45:51
In reply to Depressed has many meanings..., posted by Meri-Tuuli on January 31, 2007, at 14:30:33
Yes, I wanted to make that point as well but I think I've said enough already on the issue! Well said, the CNS depressant effect of alcohol doesn't automatically translate into mental depression. For me, even if alcohol or benzos make me maudlin it's often 'theraputic' in a way - like a release of pent-up emotion and tension so I feel better after it. Obviously alcoholism leads to depression and other mental problems but that's a different issue to whether it's safe to drink while taking meds.
Q
Posted by nolegirl23 on January 31, 2007, at 18:37:31
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by shadowplayers721 on January 31, 2007, at 0:40:58
> I just thought of something. Ask you pdoc about med holiday? For example, if you know you are going to celebrate a wedding, birthday, etc, see what they say about a med holiday with ssri's. I am not knowledgeable. I think this was a good post. It's an important issue. Everyone has given good responses.
>
> Personally, I had poor experiences with alcohol even without meds on board. This was a long time ago. People putting things in my drink at a party for the fun of it. So, I don't drink and haven't in years.Thank you for your validation that my post was important :)
I will be asking my pdoc about this, and Phillipa, I don't drink liquor. I am a Wine girl. Sometimes a beer, but wine is my drink. I can't imagine what liquor + 4 mgs of Xanax would do to me.
Why I don't drink on benzo's: Complete and TOTAL memory loss. If I take my second 2 mg dose of xanax, even if I have no more than 3 glasses of wine, my mind is blank.
I mean the next day, when I wake up, I literally CANNOT REMEMBER A DAMN THING. And it's not because I drank so much that I can't remember, I know that it is the xanax. COMPLETE and TOTAL memory loss, NO FUN.
So, rather than suffer the amnestic effects of xanax + booze, I'll skip my night dose of xanax.
Plus, I don't want to be a complete waste product when I go out, and xanax tends to turn me into just that, a WASTE PRODUCT.Thank you so much to all that have responded :)
CHEERS!
Posted by laima on February 1, 2007, at 0:02:38
In reply to Depressed has many meanings..., posted by Meri-Tuuli on January 31, 2007, at 14:30:33
Well, but alcohol uses up a lot of antioxidents meant for the brain. That's not so good. There's some written about how that works in "The Better Brain Book".
> The thing is, I think alot of this confusion arises with the words.
>
> 'Depressed' means anything which is lower than normal, be it in spirits, pressure (weather systems), ground level, etc etc.
>
> So when people say alcohol is a 'depressant' they mean it lowers the CNS - like Link said about benzos. Benzos are depressants like alcohol is. They lower the activity of the CNS.
>
> Now, having a lowered CNS does not make you 'depressed' in the mental/psychiatric/pscyhological sense of the word, ie you have to have had at least two weeks of lowered mood etc.
>
> Obviously if you're binge drinking or whatever and indulging in behavours that are likely to make you depressed mentally (like having fights/arguing with people/ringing up exs/whatever you do when you lose inhibitions).
>
> And again, obviously if you're drinking too much you may feel depressed as in you're crying your heart out (like some of my girlfriends do regularly) but argubly that isn't 'depression'.
>
> Anyway the point I am trying to make is that when people say 'alcohol is a 'depressant' they often use it thinking that it makes you depressed pscyhologically, when in fact, science says that alcohol is a CNS depressant. Which is different from psychological depression.
>
> Anything can be 'depressed' -- the CNS, ground level, your mood, low pressure weather systems, etc.
>
> Am I making any sense?
>
> Does anyone at all see what I'm trying to say?
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on February 1, 2007, at 1:30:31
In reply to Re: Depressed has many meanings..., posted by laima on February 1, 2007, at 0:02:38
Hello!
I'm sure it does, and it isn't that great for the body either, although argubly if you're drinking chilean red wine which is packed full of anti-oxidants it isn't that bad anyway! You know, the French/Mediterranean diet thing.
I just wanted to clarify the point when people say that 'alcohol is a depressant'.
Posted by Larry Hoover on February 3, 2007, at 9:30:10
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by Nolegirl323 on January 30, 2007, at 20:04:10
> Yes, I do feel totally out of place, anxious and insecure until I have that cozy lil' wine buzz ..
> Then the social butterfly in me comes out, and I feel like I am a 'normal' person..
> I know, that is a sign of alcoholism (which runs in my family as well,)..Rather than a sign of alcoholism, I would label it a risk factor. Clearly, you derive a social benefit from the drug alcohol. The issue one faces is to use the drug in moderation.
> But the point of my post is to try and ascertain why I can't enjoy some wine or a few drinks while on Lexapro.. Am I going to die? Are the meds not going to work? Am I going to totally screw up my brain chemistry??
No. (My opinion.)
I consider the warning to be a generic warning. Substance abuse is a common comorbidity with depression, due to the natural human tendency to self-medicate. Alcohol *abuse* complicates the treatment of depression, and can indeed negate the benefit of any antidepressant.
In my perhaps not so humble opinion, the spiritual benefit of enjoying a convivial social event, even if mediated by the taking of a drug (alcohol), is of benefit to a depressed person. Each individual must assess that experience in the context of their own life. Having fun, experiencing laughter, social bonding.....sounds like anti-depressant to me.
Be mindful, maintain moderation, and I think you'll be fine.Lar
Posted by lcat10 on February 3, 2007, at 10:24:26
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ? » Nolegirl323, posted by Larry Hoover on February 3, 2007, at 9:30:10
Can't understand why anyone would drink alcohol with their meds on a fairly regular basis. But then I don't drink much; last drink Sept 2nd, my anniversary.
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