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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 17 to 41 of 41. Go back in thread:
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.
Posted by Phillipa on February 3, 2007, at 19:16:12
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by lcat10 on February 3, 2007, at 10:24:26
The only relief I got in my day was coming home from working 3-ll and drinking my beer as I was so wound up. Love Phillipa
Posted by nolegirl23 on February 3, 2007, at 22:40:34
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ? » lcat10, posted by Phillipa on February 3, 2007, at 19:16:12
> The only relief I got in my day was coming home from working 3-ll and drinking my beer as I was so wound up. Love Phillipa
My thoughts exactly. After working at my job all day (I work in Law Enforcement) I really enjoy a glass (or two) of Merlot..
Posted by lcat10 on February 3, 2007, at 22:56:39
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ? » lcat10, posted by Phillipa on February 3, 2007, at 19:16:12
> The only relief I got in my day was coming home from working 3-ll and drinking my beer as I was so wound up. Love Phillipa
No one ever suggested relaxation exercises or yoga or something of that ilk??
Posted by Phillipa on February 4, 2007, at 17:27:06
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by lcat10 on February 3, 2007, at 22:56:39
Oh I always did my stretching excercises. Love Phillipa
Posted by nolegirl23 on February 4, 2007, at 20:07:37
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ? » lcat10, posted by Phillipa on February 4, 2007, at 17:27:06
> Oh I always did my stretching excercises. Love Phillipa
As do I, I stretch when I wake up, and my pdoc suggested that I take part in yoga. I tried Yoga for a while, decided that it was not for me. I am more of a high-impact, high intensity type of girl.
I do stretch, breath, all of that, but I do look enjoy a glass of wine to take that 'edge' off.
4mgs of Xanax is not doing the trick any more ...
Posted by lcat10 on February 4, 2007, at 20:53:14
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by nolegirl23 on February 4, 2007, at 20:07:37
Deep breathing and relaxation techniques are things I did as an athlete. Not just for softies but also for high impact people. When I competed in track at the national level, it helped me to focus.
Posted by nicky847 on February 5, 2007, at 13:15:44
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ? » Nolegirl323, posted by Larry Hoover on February 3, 2007, at 9:30:10
i think its ok to drink..as long as you dont drink enough to be hung over the next day..hangovers are not good for treating your depression...you need all the physical and mental strength you can get
Posted by lcat10 on February 5, 2007, at 20:39:27
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by nicky847 on February 5, 2007, at 13:15:44
Well I think a drink now and then is okay even though I rarely drink. But alcohol is a depressant, and so it makes no sense to me for someone to drink if that person is depressed.
Posted by nicky847 on February 7, 2007, at 11:38:44
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by nicky847 on February 5, 2007, at 13:15:44
i think i should clarify that if by "drinking" you mean going out with friends for A drink...yes that is fine...being around other people and socializing is one of the best things you can do to help get your mind to focus outward instead of inward....however...if "drinking" means binge drinking and getting wasted or drinking alone..then no..not a good idea
Posted by Pharmacist on February 16, 2007, at 19:13:32
In reply to Re: Drinking Alcohol on Lexapro - WHY NOT ?, posted by nicky847 on February 7, 2007, at 11:38:44
> > 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.
> >
> >
> > LinakdgeActually, Linakdge has had the most accurate post in this thread. There are absolutely no pharmacologic studies that demonstrate danger in mixing alcohol with SSRIs. This group is desperately in need of some pharmacology facts:
1. Some SSRIs (especially Paxil and Luvox) can be sedating, due to antagonistic action on histamine receptors. It is the same way Benadryl makes people drowsy. Alcohol works on GABA receptors and can also make you tired...so combining them can cause an additive sedating effect.
2. Benzos are in fact not good to mix with alcohol because they use the same GABA receptors (BZD subunit) and can lead to a synergistic sedation instead of just additive in the case of some SSRIs.
2. Red wine is the one exception for danger, but only with MAOI antidepressants because red wine contains tyramine, a precursor to monoamines. Therefore you can get too much of an increase in norepinephrine, epinephrine and serotonin that may lead to a hypertensive crisis.
3. There is comorbidity with substance abuse and depression, which is why it is generally a good idea to avoid mixing them. However, if social drinking would elevate your mood and give you enjoyment without any bad feelings the next day...by all means have some alcohol.*Sidenote: The reason people used to be told mixing antibiotics and alcohol was dangerous was because when GIs were being treated for STDs in the 60s doctors told them not to drink. They did not tell them the real reason, which was so they would not get drunk and engage in promiscuous sex to infect more people during the course of their antibiotic treatment. *Flagyl is one antibiotic that should not be mixed with alcohol though.
***Bottom Line: Please question your local pharmacist or other health professionals because you need to be actively involved in your own treatment.
This is the end of the thread.
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