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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Prefect on September 26, 2012, at 21:04:54
This is only an academic question, really. This forum has surprized the heck out of me with the amount of technical knowledge floating around with respect to neuropharmachology, so I thoght it would be the perfect place to table a question like this.
I wonder how daily alcohol intake affects the efficacy of an SSRI...I already know the combination knocks you out, so I'm not talking about that one. I have enough tolerance towards my controlled level of intake of both that I don't get that effect. And let's exclude the part about alcohol being a depressant, we all know that.
What I do wonder though is whether it interferes with the workings of an SSRI at a neurochemical level?
I enjoy a couple of glasses of wine or a beer with dinner. And most nights I may have a shot or two of Jack Daniels after my wife goes to bed (I'm a night person). I rarely drink enough to get drunk.
And before everyone suspects me of being a problem drinker, I just have a drink or 2 a night because I enjoy it, whether I'm in remission from anxiety or not. I actually don't drink when I'm facing anxious situations because my coping skills are down when I drink and I get more anxious during heavy duty exposure sessions.
I just enjoy my whiskey and wonder how it may be effecting the mileage I'm getting out of my Luvox?...Not that it would change my attitude toward Jack D. ;)
Posted by Zyprexa on September 26, 2012, at 22:27:16
In reply to Does alcohol interfere with SSRI efficacy?, posted by Prefect on September 26, 2012, at 21:04:54
I have not noticed that it does. I drink a few every night and take zoloft. When I go off the zoloft I get depressed. I have not even noticed that when drinking or not drinking that it still works just as well. In fact I find alcohol lifts my mood.
Posted by jane d on September 26, 2012, at 22:40:55
In reply to Does alcohol interfere with SSRI efficacy?, posted by Prefect on September 26, 2012, at 21:04:54
Do we yet know what it is that SSRI's do at a neurochemical level that make them work as antidepressants? Last I checked (and I admit it's been quite awhile) we knew an awful lot about what they did but were still guessing about which of those things made them work as antidepressants. If that's still true there's not going to be any way to answer your question.
Now on a practical level I can give a more definite answer. I think probably, maybe, I might notice some negative effect some of the time, sort of.* :)
*based on consumption of approx 2-6 beers or equivalent on very intermittent basis.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 27, 2012, at 0:09:49
In reply to Re: Does alcohol interfere with SSRI efficacy?, posted by jane d on September 26, 2012, at 22:40:55
There might be some effect, but i wouldnt think its likely to be clinicaly significant for the majority of people.
Many psychotropic drugs can enchnce the effects of a cohol, so that one glass of wine or can of beer has the effect of 2, but I have never noticed my mental state go down hill after a couple of gin and tonics
Posted by bleauberry on September 27, 2012, at 8:30:39
In reply to Does alcohol interfere with SSRI efficacy?, posted by Prefect on September 26, 2012, at 21:04:54
I think the answer to the question is found in the user. In other words, there is no universal yes or no answer.
If a person feels some sort of worsening or interference of their symptoms that seems correlated to alcohol, then the answer is yes. If no, then the answer is no. It will probably not be the same for each individual.
Posted by phillipa on September 27, 2012, at 10:41:53
In reply to Re: Does alcohol interfere with SSRI efficacy?, posted by bleauberry on September 27, 2012, at 8:30:39
Blue that is so true. I worked evenings as RN and when got home wound up used to drink 4-6 beers and take .25mg of xanax. Slept like a baby and woke full of energy and felt great. When I stopped 15 years ago that is when I went downhill and had to stop working. Why did I stop? Was given chloral hydrate. But during that time lost taste and smell due to lymes virus I guess and since I loved corona and lime. I couldn't face the real pain of not being able to taste what had been a favorite. Now 15 years later still no taste and smell and eat only to stay alive. So I never found even when taking paxil that alchohol interferred with the workings of the SSRI. And I do imagine it varies from individual to individual. Phillipa
Posted by phidippus on September 27, 2012, at 17:52:23
In reply to Does alcohol interfere with SSRI efficacy?, posted by Prefect on September 26, 2012, at 21:04:54
1. Potentiates the specific g-2L subunit of the GABA receptor, which activates the protein kinase C and causes sedation.
2. Inhibits the release of neurotransmitters - glutamate, and acetylcholine(ACH)
Also
1. Inhibits voltage gated Ca+ ion flux, which results in decreased endorphin release.
2. D2 Dopamine receptors are stimulated and endorphins are released, resulting in Euphoria. The exact mechanism of endorphin release is unknown.
3. Alcohol can temporarily raise mood enhancing chemical levels like those of serotonin, this is how it can improve mood, but in excess alcohol makes these serotonin levels fall and lowers mood, increasing depression. Taking alcohol with SSRIs can potentiate serotonin syndrome.
Eric
Posted by phillipa on September 27, 2012, at 20:19:03
In reply to Re: Does alcohol interfere with SSRI efficacy? » Prefect, posted by phidippus on September 27, 2012, at 17:52:23
Must depend on the doseage of SSRI's. For me with benzos only felt wonderful!!! Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 28, 2012, at 0:59:54
In reply to Re: Does alcohol interfere with SSRI efficacy? » phidippus, posted by phillipa on September 27, 2012, at 20:19:03
Some people seem to beleive that anything enjoyable must be bad for you - its part of our puritan heritage
Posted by ChicagoKat on October 4, 2012, at 10:34:50
In reply to Re: Does alcohol interfere with SSRI efficacy?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 27, 2012, at 0:09:49
> There might be some effect, but i wouldnt think its likely to be clinicaly significant for the majority of people.
>
> Many psychotropic drugs can enchnce the effects of a cohol, so that one glass of wine or can of beer has the effect of 2, but I have never noticed my mental state go down hill after a couple of gin and tonicsDitto.
And I can add there is no interaction between the two.
Kat
Posted by ChicagoKat on October 4, 2012, at 10:36:04
In reply to Re: Does alcohol interfere with SSRI efficacy?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 28, 2012, at 0:59:54
> Some people seem to beleive that anything enjoyable must be bad for you - its part of our puritan heritage
Well said, Jono.
Kat
This is the end of the thread.
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