Hi abw4t,
Lexapro, Celexa, Luvox, Paxil, Zoloft and Prozac belong to a class of
antidepressants known as selective serotonin receptor inhibitors
(SSRI). SSRIs have overtaken the older tricyclic antidepressants due
to their decreased side effects, and a much lowered chance of
overdosing. It appears that of all antidepressants, SSRIs have fewer
adverse effects when taken with *moderate* amounts of alcohol. Most
sites still recommend *not* consuming alcohol, or consuming it in very
limited quantities. Alcohol itself is, contrary to what many believe,
a central nervous system depressant, and combined with SSRIs, makes
one very drowsy.
It appears consuming moderate amounts of alcohol while taking SSRIs is
relatively safe, physiologically. The danger is in the ?drowsiness
factor?. Trying to drive, operate machinery, or performing any kind of
critical detail-specific or potentially dangerous work can be risky
and possibly fatal. For this reason, most medical personnel advise
against drinking while taking SSRIs.
For the above reasons, there is very little written about adverse
reactions between alcohol and SSRIs. I have provided you with a list
of 22 reliable health related sites and what they have to say about
alcohol and SSRIs, particularly Lexapro. I could continue adding to
the list, but it would be repetitive information.with no additional
value.
This page has a good explanation of alcohol pharmacology, but fails to
mention any effects with SSRIs.
http://www.alcoholmedicalscholars.org/pharm-out.htm
Patients with known liver problems, however, should take a lower than
normal dose of Lexapro:
http://www.healthyplace.com/medications/lexapro.htm#adverse
1)?Can I drink alcohol while taking an SSRI antidepressant??
?In general, themanufacturers of most SSRIs recommend avoiding alcohol
with these medicines. The combination of an SSRI and alcohol may
increase the chance or severity of side effects such as drowsiness,
slow reflexes, or clouded judgment. This can be dangerous when driving
a car or operating other machinery.
Also, alcohol may make you feel depressed. In this way, alcohol can
interfere with the actions of your SSRI to treat depression. Try to
avoid or limit your use of alcohol while taking an SSRI.?
http://www.drugstore.com/qxa1131_333181_sespider-can_i_drink_alcohol_while_taking_an_ssri_antidepressant.htm
2) This site has numerous SSRI drug interactions listed, and states
that consuming alcohol with SSRIs can cause drowsiness.
http://holisticonline.com/Remedies/Depression/dep_interactions_SSRI.htm
http://holisticonline.com/Remedies/Depression/dep_antidepressant-SSRI.htm
3)? SSRI drugs, including fluvoxamine, may cause dizziness or
drowsiness.6 Alcohol may intensify the drowsiness and increase the
risk of accidental injury. People should avoid alcohol-containing
products during fluvoxamine treatment.?
http://yalenewhavenhealth.org/library/healthguide/en-us/cam/topic.asp?hwid=hn-1388004
4) ?Interaction with Alcohol:
Enhanced sedation, agitation, sleep disturbance. Ability to drive or
operate machinery may be grossly impaired. Patients being treated with
tricyclic antidepressants who take alcohol may show both unusual and
unexpected behavioural disorders. These are usually most noticeable
during the first few days of tricyclic antidepressant therapy.
Original MAOIs may have caused hypertension (due to the tyramine content of some
alcoholic drinks, notably beers and wines) the new MAOIs do not have this effect. ?
http://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/alac/info/Drug%20and%20Alcohol%20Interactio.pdf
5) ?SSRIs (i.e., fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline),
which are currently the most widely used antidepressants, are much
less sedating than are TCAs. In addition, no serious
interactions appear to occur when these agents are consumed with
moderate alcohol doses (Matilla 1990). In fact, SSRIs have the best
safety profile of all antidepressants, even when combined
in large quantities with alcohol (e.g., in suicide and overdose situations).?
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh23-1/40-54.pdf
6) This site discusses the clinical pharmacology of SSRIs, and has a
chart illustrating the tolerability of SSRIs and alcohol.
http://www.preskorn.com/books/ssri_s4.html
7) ?The extent to which SSRI-TCA interactions may pose clinical
problems will depend on the degree of inhibition and the
pharmacokinetics of the SSRI involved. Nevertheless, caution is
indicated in the co- administration of T.A. with any of the SSRIs and
also in switching from one class to the other.?
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/doxepin_ad.htm
8) This site cautions against using alcohol with SSRIs
http://www.patientcenters.com/bipolar/news/ssri.html
9) Singer Glen Campbell blamed his arrest on Lexapro and alcohol
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/11/25/entertainment/main585436.shtml
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3305943.stm
10) The manufacturers of Lexapro, Forest Laboratories, say:Alcohol
consumption is not advised while taking Lexapro. (Pages 6, 7)
http://www.lexapro.com/pdfs/lexapro_pi.pdf
http://www.lexapro.com/home/default.asp
11) ?This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaging in
activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.
Limit alcoholic beverages.?
http://www.doctordeluca.com/Library/PsychoPharm/SSRI-Overview.htm
12) ?The SSRIs make people want things less; less food, less alcohol??
http://lexapro.sajt.org/
13) ?Avoid alcoholic drinks?
http://www.healthyplace.com/medications/lexapro.htm
14) ?Studies examining whether SSRIs such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and
sertraline (Zoloft) might be helpful in treating alcoholism
co?occurring with depression have produced mixed results (31?33). What
these studies suggest is that individuals vary not only in terms of
their risk of alcohol problems, but in how they respond to both
pharmacologic and behavioral treatment.?
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa61.htm
15) This site has numerous scientific articles on SSRIs but makes no
mention on the effects of alcohol consumed concurrently with SSRIs.
http://www.biopsychiatry.com/ssris.htm
16) ?Fluoxetine (Prozac) inhibits the metabolism of clozapine and is
reported to produce a mean 76% increase in clozapine plasma
concentrations (Centorrino et al 1994). Fluoxetine inhibits hepatic
oxidative enzyme such that haloperidol plasma levels increase by
approximately 20% (Goff et al 1991a). Objective evidence suggests that
the SSRIs do not potentiate the effects of alcohol (Grimsley et al
1992, Sommi et al 1987, Roerig 1992).?
http://www.vh.org/adult/provider/psychiatry/CPS/13.html
17) ?Do not drink alcohol or take other drugs that can cause drowsiness.?
http://www.rense.com/general24/zol.htm
18) One woman experienced these symptoms after taking Paxil:
·paraesthesiae in hands and feet spreading up arms and legs intermittently
·stiffness in calf muscles
·unsteadiness on her feet with wide gait
·clumsy fingers
·loose bowels
·disinhibited mood
?These symptoms appeared worst at the end of the day, following heavy
physical work, and with even small amounts of alcohol. By December,
four months after discontinuing the paroxetine most of the symptoms
had reduced in severity to near normal.?
http://www.priory.com/psych/panes.htm
19) ?Alcohol can also cause adverse reactions: Consuming alcohol with
some medicines can also cause unwanted and sometimes dangerous side
effects. These effects include drowsiness with antihistamines or
antidepressant medicines. This can be particularly important for
drivers.?
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Medicines_can_cause_unwanted_side_effects?open
20) ?As with any new medicines you should take care when driving,
operating machinery or drinking alcohol until you know how LEXAPRO
affects you.?
http://www.inhousepharmacy-europe.com/anti-depressants/lexapro-information-patients.html
21) ?Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and
dizziness while taking Lexapro or affect your condition.?
http://www.lexapro.explainingmedicine.com/
22) This RxList site has a very thorough and complete article on the
adverse effects of Lexapro: ?Alcohol - Although LEXAPRO did not
potentiate the cognitive and motor effects of alcohol in a clinical
trial, as with other psychotropic medications, the use of alcohol by
patients taking LEXAPRO is not recommended.?
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/lexapro_ad.htm
If this question pertains to you or a friend or family member, please
consult with a qualified physician before consuming alcohol. There may
be other medications or health history to be considered, aside from
SSRIs.
If any part of my answer is unclear, or if I have duplicated
information you already had, please request an Answer Clarification,
before rating. This will allow me to assist you further, if possible.
Regards,
crabcakes
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