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westielover
New Member

Date Joined Sep 2007
Total Posts : 5

Posted 9/27/2007 6:10 PM (GMT -7)

Hi guys I'm new and really enjoying reading all your posts. I do have a question about the drinking and lexapro. I usually only have a few glasses of wine a week....weekends only. I've been on Wellbutrin for years and never had an issue.

Well I'm going to a Cocktail party on Sat nite and just starting taking Lexapro. I have trouble with side effects (usually gastro problems) so my Dr. has me only taking 1/4 of a 10 mg dosage. So I'm only taking about 2.5 mg. I was planning on having just a few drinks on saturday and space them out but should I skip the dose that day? I'm wondering if it's a huge deal since I just started a week ago and the dosage is so small. I should also mention I take 75 mg of Wellbutrin that I will stop taking once I get up to the full 10 mg of Lexapro.

I know the right answer is not to drink at all, but I wanted to get your opinion.

Thanks

Howlyncat
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 22769

Posted 9/27/2007 6:20 PM (GMT -7)

Just my opinion
But you are going from one med to another and I think adding alcholol in there would not be a good idea not skipping a dose of your meds either BUT you could talk to your doc and see what he or she says about this all ........

I said my lil didy on the alcohol and meds in an earlier post so I dont want you to think I am nagging or being pushy

.......I am sure others will post their input

Take care

LYN

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Post Edited (Howlyncat) : 10/4/2007 4:16:50 AM (GMT-6)

stkitt
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Apr 2007
Total Posts : 18028

Posted 9/27/2007 11:21 PM (GMT -7)

Hello and Welcome Westielover,

I stay away from alcohol as I want my meds to work which in my life is more important. You may want to ask your physician but I would be surprised if your Pdoc said skip the med and drink the alcohol.

GLad you asked for advice as it indicates that you are thinking about what is best. I also posted above. :)

Respectfully
Kitt

Moderator Anxiety ~ Panic Disorders

*~* Not a mental health professional at all *~*
Dx: Anxiety/Panic, Depression

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_____________________________________________________
"If you doubt you can accomplish something, then you can’t accomplish it. You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.”
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Howlyncat
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Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 22769

Posted 9/29/2007 12:28 PM (GMT -7)

I totally agree with you Lil sis

Luvs
Big sis

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bailey40
New Member

Date Joined Oct 2007
Total Posts : 14

Posted 10/2/2007 9:43 PM (GMT -7)

I have taken Lexapro for 3 years. I drink when I want to as much as I want to, although that is not very often now that I am a little older. I do have to go out and about to social functions on a regular basis, occasionaly I will "tie one on". My experience is that it will do nothing other than increase your anxiety for a day or two after. I used to be bad about not taking my meds if I wanted to go to a party or something. I have taken pharmacology, went to 1 year of med school ( not that I am qualified to make a determination based on my schooling), have close friends who are docs (psych and internal med), and no one has told me otherwise. I have several friends who are on Lexapro and have had no problems drinking. I even called pharmacists I knew, docs, etc., all said no problem in reality.

Post Edited (bailey40) : 10/2/2007 9:46:47 PM (GMT-6)

stkitt
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Apr 2007
Total Posts : 18028

Posted 10/2/2007 10:26 PM (GMT -7)

You must always remember when you consume alcohol when undergoing treatment with Lexapro, or any other antidepressant belonging to the family of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), to do so cautiously. Mixing alcohol and Lexapro may result in adverse reactions which can include increased drowsiness and dizziness. ^{Reference: PDR Pocket Guide, 7th Edition}

I disagree with drinking as much as you want to whenever you want to when you are on any of the Antidepressants. Most people also take a benzo if they have panic and anxiety and now we have a deadly combination.

Please remember that all the post are personal opinions and each person reacts differently. I would listen to your physician and read the label on your medications.

Respectfully
Kitt

Moderator Anxiety ~ Panic Disorders

*~* Not a mental health professional at all *~*
Dx: Anxiety/Panic, Depression

bailey40
New Member

Date Joined Oct 2007
Total Posts : 14

Posted 10/3/2007 9:55 PM (GMT -7)

I agree, I don't reccomend it, taken with Benzos or Beta Blockers and such. Typically (key word) SSRIs reaction to alcohol is to increase drowsiness or possibly effeciency of the drug. I take Klonopin personally, and would never drink within 72 hours of taking one.
Actually, drinking is not good when you have anxiety. It increases the symptoms in the days following consumption. Bad!

stkitt
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Apr 2007
Total Posts : 18028

Posted 10/3/2007 10:14 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Bailey

You are so right about the drinking increasing the effects of drugs. Another one many people are not aware of is some antibiotics will increase the efficacy of another drug. Cipro may increase the potential maximum therapeutic response of your dose of Cymbalta.

Alcohol is also a depressant therefore if your already depressed you may just be crying in your beer by drinking a six pack. :)

Good info. Thank you.

Respectfully
Kitt

Moderator Anxiety ~ Panic Disorders

*~* Not a mental health professional at all *~*
Dx: Anxiety/Panic, Depression

Howlyncat
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 22769

Posted 10/4/2007 4:18 AM (GMT -7)

THANKS........Bailey ........N lil sis ......Luvs ya .....BIG sis

** me thinks if this topic is going to carry on it needs a part 2 as this thread is getting long

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Be Thankful for the Difficult times..During those times we GROW

EMPATHY is Always Better than APATHY

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Kp7318
New Member

Date Joined Oct 2007
Total Posts : 1

Posted 10/25/2007 9:01 PM (GMT -7)

Hi there! I am definitely one of those people that went online to search the topic of "consuming alcohol while taking lexapro". I suffer from panic attacks and some types of anxiety nothing severe therefore I am on 10mg of lexapro. I don't think anyone needs to seek out a new doctor just because they told you what they feel would be a good limit if you do choose to drink. A doctor is there to help you and they are not telling you to drink 3 beers, they are telling you if you were to "choose" to drink 3 should be your limit and to take it slow. I have questioned doctors, pharmicists and other people that have been on lexapro for years. The truth is it effects everyone differently. I am 23 years old and i enjoy going out and drinking once or twice on the weekends and in fact sometimes I go hard with out even realizing it because I am enjoying myself and having a good time with friends. I was also smart about it too, I realized the whole reason I needed to be put on lexapro is because my anxiety was taking such a toll on me that it effected my daily routines and behavior. Therefore, you put off the partying for awhile, and get control of your life again with the medicine. Once you have accomplished control and you are feeling better and more confident that is when you can try a drink or two. The key is to test yourself on it, but if your someone who suffers from anxiety I wouldn't think about it too much because it may result in some sort of panic attack. Instead, relax, have one or two see how you feel if you aren't noticing any changes have another but the first few times you drink I would really recommend taking it easy to allow your body to adjust to the medicine with the alcohol. The only true side effects of mixing the alcohol with lexapro is you fighting the medicine which results in maybe an increase in anxiety the next day or in some people's cases depression. Then there is the case of if you have one too many, you aren't paying attention to how much you drink and of COURSE you are going to get sick...trust me you will have a hangover like no other before this is why you need to be smart about it and pace yourself. Believe it or not like some of the others said you end up saving more money because have 2 to 3 is more like 5-6 beers. Needless to say, I have been on lexapro since April! I feel great! I don't have any bad side effects and I drink atleast once or twice every weekend with friends and in fact the only time I suffer is when I go overboard which means for me 9 beers tho it is spread out over several hours it still stays with you due to the medicine. Good luck, I definitely recommend researching and asking doctors, pharmacists etc.

**PLEASE do not suggesst ppl mix the 2 .......Depending on your metabolism you could have very serious effects even death from mixing the 2 **

I lost a very very close friend from this ............LYN

Post Edited By Moderator (Howlyncat) : 11/3/2007 3:14:16 PM (GMT-6)

stkitt
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Apr 2007
Total Posts : 18028

Posted 10/25/2007 10:32 PM (GMT -7)

Dear Kp

Hello and welcome to HW. This topic has been discussed in depth as you have found this thread Posted 2/14/2006.

You are entitled to your opinion so I won't go into all the reasons already posted in this thread regarding Lexapro and alcohol.

I just want to go on record as saying I believe you are misguided in your thinking. Please be very careful mixing drugs and alcohol. This is my own personal opinion. :)

As a reminder to our members, please remember that all posts in the forums are personal opinion.

Respectfully
Kitt

Moderator Anxiety ~ Panic Disorders

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me68
New Member

Date Joined Sep 2007
Total Posts : 2

Posted 10/26/2007 12:32 PM (GMT -7)

Hey there,

I talked to my doctor about this subject the other day and just thought I would share... She said Lex does not add any effects to alcohol as many people have been claiming. Meaning if you are taking Lex and you drink the effects of the alcohol are not intensified or anything of that nature. Surly you may get sick more easily but this is simply becuase Lex makes you more prone to this anyways. I did go overboard with the drinking one night (a fifth of vodka and some beers), but other than a killer hangover the next day and pictures of the previous night's embarasments I saw no out-of-the ordinary effects.

stkitt
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Apr 2007
Total Posts : 18028

Posted 10/26/2007 7:03 PM (GMT -7)

I know we have talked about this topic in great detail and I am wondering what the real issue may be here, are we talking about acohol being so important in your life that you would risk your life and drink a fifth of vodka and some beers. If that is the issue than the Lexapro is a moot point.

Your danger is the alcohol ingestion............alcohol poisoning.

Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing and the gag reflex (which prevents choking). A fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop these functions.

Now I will get off my soap box, Me68, and turn this topic over to my mentor, Lyn, as she has the expertise on dealing with members with problems with alcohol.

I will continue to stand by my belief that drugs and alcohol do not mix, but that is my belief based on personal experience.

Take care of you.

Respectfully
Kitt

Moderator Anxiety ~ Panic Disorders

*~* Not a mental health professional at all *~*
Dx: Anxiety/Panic, Depression, GERD, Osteoarthritis

*Wife of a Crohnie*

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_____________________________________________________
It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.~Mahatma Gandhi~

Michael7967
New Member

Date Joined Nov 2007
Total Posts : 9

Posted 11/3/2007 11:35 AM (GMT -7)

Interesting discussion. I stated on 10mg/day of Lexapro just 12 days ago for severe depression/anxiety. Last night I went out with friends and had only two small glasses of wine. I had noticed my mood shift heavily (downwards) during that first glass of wine, and should have stopped there and not ordered the second glass. Pretty much ruined my night out (moodwise). It also left me twisting and turning all night in bed with anxiety, to my surprise -- as I generally have no trouble sleeping. (And, before starting the medication, I had no trouble drinking). Terrible night of sleep and I feel anxious today -- much more than usual. Maybe the answer (for me at least) is not to drink anything for a few months until I feel stronger on the medicine.

Howlyncat
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 22769

Posted 11/3/2007 3:18 PM (GMT -7)

Michael..........PLEASE I ask you not to mix the 2 I have lost a very near a dear friend to mixing the lexapro and alcohol

I think you may have been being told something last night ...............

Take care and so great you are posting and becoming more confident within the " family"

LYN

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We Have Anxiety.....Anxiety Does NOT have Us

Post Edited (Howlyncat) : 11/4/2007 7:27:11 AM (GMT-7)

stkitt
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Apr 2007
Total Posts : 18028

Posted 11/3/2007 5:33 PM (GMT -7)

Michael,

I agree with Lyn 100%. Please do not mix the drugs with alcohol. This is the best advice you can receive from anyone.

Kitt

Moderator Anxiety ~ Panic Disorders

*~* Not a mental health professional at all *~*
Dx: Anxiety/Panic, Depression, GERD, Osteoarthritis

*Wife of a Crohnie*

******www.healingwell.com/donate***
It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.~Mahatma Gandhi~

Howlyncat
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 22769

Posted 11/4/2007 8:34 AM (GMT -7)

This thread does tend to scare me .........in instances .......all labels on AD's ........valium and other benzo's here in Ontario ........Have the "Do NOT mix alcohol " .........and another saying 'Alcohol and this Medication will Intensify Effects "

This is my opinion and ONLY mine ....

Others have theirs BUT a few do know what the real deal is and how they do feel after a night of drinking and mixing .........

Again.....Your choice..........Your Life

I lost a friend a very dear friend to mixing Effexor and alcohol........she died from alcohol poisoning and mixing them

Mike
Please do be careful..........LYN

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We Have Anxiety.....Anxiety Does NOT have Us

Michael7967
New Member

Date Joined Nov 2007
Total Posts : 9

Posted 11/4/2007 9:44 AM (GMT -7)

Lyn and Kitt,
Thanks for the kind words and welcome, and for the great advice. You're right. I felt so awful after just 2 glasses of wine that I don't think I'm inclined to even have a sip of alcohol again while I'm battling this depression/anxiety with the Lexapro. I'm in my mid-40s. Many years ago, when I suffered the second clinical depression of my life, I found Zoloft very helpful and also found that I could tolerate a little drinking with it. (But if I overdid the drinking, I would sometimes have a memory blackout, which scared me). Maybe my tolerance or metabolism has changed, or the Lexapro/depression is different this time around. But I don't think I can tolerate even a sip of alcohol now. Again, thanks.

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