I've just started taking Citalopram for Anxiety - and reading through the packet information, it says it isn't 'recommended' to drink alcohol while taking it. Yeah, like that isn't at all ambiguous.
So, I asked my doctor. He thought this was hilarious, and told me I could still go and drink bottles of cider down the park with my mates. In moderation. If they were only small bottles.
This didn't help much either. And, being brutally honest, I don't trust him.
The thing is, it's my 18th birthday in a few weeks - I'm having a party, and I'd like a few drinks. But I've heard that meds react badly with alcohol, and I'm really scared of that - what have people's experiences been?
Does 'not recommended' mean 'don't do it' or, 'we're just trying to cover ourselves'?
I don't have any experience yet but I have read up on this because I was wondering the same thing.
From what I've heard/read it is recommended you avoid alcohol while on medication but it is unlikely to cause you any problems if you don't. From what I've heard you shouldn't be taking your medication at the same time you have a drink, as in you want to have a few hours between the time you take your medication and the time you consume the alcohol. I'd say the longer the time between those things the better. You also only want to be having a couple drinks at most.
A few reasons its recommended you avoid it, is because sometimes in order do it you may have to miss a dose of medication (for instance if you are dirnking at night and thats when you take your meds). It can also interfere with how your medication is working for you. I've read a lot of people saying they felt depressed/anxious for the next few days after drinking when on meds. And just beaware that your medication will likely make alcohol affect you very strongly so take it slowly.
Alcohol is a depressant and therefore would counteract the anti depressants if you were to drink regularly.
Drinking on occasions and in moderation is usually ok and does not usually cause major effects. But be aware that you might be affected byt the alcohol more than you normally would so drink slower so as not to suddenly find yourself too drunk.
I agree that it's okay to drink occasionally on citalopram. Drinking anymore than occasionally on or off meds isn't advisable anyway.
They are trying to cover themselves but take it easy with alcohol until you're used to how it effects you while you're on this med.
In my experience, drinking alcohol has more of an effect when on medication (i.e. you get drunk/tipsy faster). Also, as said above as alcohol is a depressant, it can affect your moods. I have found that the next day my mood can be worse if have had a drink.
However, like most things with medicine and alcohol, everyone reacts differently. My advice would be that if you are going to drink, do not have too much and have at least one person around who can be your voice of reason.
If the Human brain were so simple that we could understand it, we would be so simple that we wouldn't.
I'm 24 next month and when I was 17 I had a bad reaction to my meds whilst drinking wine, this weekend I had an even worse reaction. The link is I was taken off the meds then, well the venlafaxine and I have only recently started to take it again, been on many others ones inbetween.
I urge you to be careful. After this weekend, I'm never drinking again.
Something has changed within me, something is not the same, I'm through with playing by the rules of someone elses game. Too late for second guessing, too late to go back to sleep, its time to trust my instincts, close my eyes and leap....
Somethings I cannot change, but till I try I'll never know...
***
Big hugs to all my friends on here, thanks for your constant support - love you guys
I've known people on citalopram who have only been able to handle a glass or 2 of wine before being totally wasted, throwing up and waking up with a horrendous hangover. I think it lowered my alcohol tolerance slightly, but the difference wasn't massive. Just be careful if you do chose to drink because it might not be pretty.
Wake me up before I change again
Remind me the story that I won't get insane
Tell me why it's always the same
Explain me the reason why I'm so much in pain.
i don't drink anymore cos of the way it affected me whilst i've been on my meds. makes me worse, a hell of a lot worse. alcohol is a depressant, stay off the booze if ya can.
Mike
Cause I need to watch things die from a distance
Vicariously, I live while the whole world dies
You all need it too - don't lie.
Not sure what to do.
My dosage has just been moved up, and I feel like crap. I feel sick and keep twitching... It's not for a few weeks. A month. I'll try and play it by ear, maybe.
To be honest, the main reason I want to be able to have a drink on my birthday (apart from, it's my 18th, I can nip down the pub legally!) is because when I've had a drink, I don't worry as much.
And me throwing the party?
The girl who feels slightly dizzy at the thought of walking to college most days?
As much as I love parties, I really do, I love them after a few drinks, when I can actually enjoy myself - and not just survive.
I know it's not good to say that, and I know that kind of thinking leads to a seriously bad place, but it's true.
Still, it's early days on these meds.
We'll see.
I think it depends on your individual body. just like without medication, some people can drink bucketfulls and not even really be drunk, and others can have a glass of wine and be really rather drunk.
you just need to see what will happen with you. take it slowly and see how it goes, and youll find out where your threshold is.
but yes, drinking to make everything ok isnt a good thing.
I was told in regards to Citalopram to avoid booze not cos it would interact but just generally as its a depressive so usually makes me feel worse.
Trazadone on the other hand...had half a pint of cider and felt like i was dying. Pretty much passed out, threw up and thought i'd end up in hospital.
If you do drink, drink in moderation. :)
And i realise how much a of a fricking hypocrite i am right now :( i'm telling you not to drink to make everything ok yet thats exactly what i'm doing right now
Life Is Like A Beautiful Melody Only The Lyrics Are Messed Up
