Fluoxetine question

To The Lighthouse · 15-02-2012, 01:26 PM

I was just wondering what people's experiences with the drug are, I'm just about to start it and I wanted to know if it's okay to drink alcohol while taking it and also how likely the side affects are. I have been given information about it but I was just wondering if anyone could give personal experience.

Bellatrix · 15-02-2012, 02:01 PM

I M back on it now. Last time I took it I ended up manic so I take it with an AP/mood stabiliser. Is a very good medication. I remember being able to drink with it, but as with all meds it carries a risk so talk to your doctor about safe limits.

To The Lighthouse · 15-02-2012, 02:37 PM

Thank you very much guys, I have an appointment tomorrow so I'll ask then.
The doctor is worried about it causing me to go manic as well, it's good to know there's other drugs that would help if it did happen.

Buttons. · 15-02-2012, 04:36 PM

I find it works really well for me however make sure you take it after eating and drinking otherwise you can get really bad heartburn.

To The Lighthouse · 15-02-2012, 05:46 PM

I have another question as well. Is it addictive? My psychiatrist didn't mention i
that it was but now someone I know has said their husband used to take it and got addicted. Also my GP is not keen on me taking it and my mum has said she doesn't want me to either. I really want to try it because I've tried a lot of non-medicinal alternatives and I have nothing to loose but it seems now like some people are trying to dissuade me. My anxiety has been awful today because of all these conflicting opinions and that's the opposite of what I want. Can someone help me out?

DannieGirl · 15-02-2012, 06:06 PM

my view on meds are: if the leaflet says to avoid alcohol...then i'm sure it's ok to have a drink or two now and then.... if it says DO NOT drink alcohol then don't... everyone is different... i think i drank on fluoxetine and it didn't make a difference.. but everyone is different..
thats how i decided whether to drink or not lol...

sherlock holmes · 15-02-2012, 07:13 PM

Well, you aren't actually supposed to drink alcohol when taking psychiatric medication. Alcohol is a depressant and it kind of defeats the purpose of taking anti depressants. If you do drink, you'll probably feel tipsy/drunk a lot quicker than you usually would and your meds might not work as well on the days you drink.

Common side effects are things like feeling dizzy, headaches, nausea. I don't remember having any when I took it, but if you do they go away after a couple of weeks.

MissAnonymous · 16-02-2012, 01:33 AM

I am on 60mg per day right now. Its a very good medication for me. I went off it after 5 years on and I declined a lot, I am now back on it and things are better. I have had side effects of hyper sweating which have been quite bad at times, but the benefits outweigh these side effects.

It will make you feel nauseas if you take it on an empty stomach and I know I used to get horrendous heartburn when I took it on an empty tummy. These side effects are most prominent at the beginning of treatment, but lessen over time.

Don't drink on it, yes, you 'can' drink but it defies the point of taking an anti-depressant, and it will affect its efficacy.

MedicAsh · 16-02-2012, 02:18 AM

I am on fluoxetine. It has helped me out but recently stopped working. I got nauseated while I was getting used to it but I don't have any problems now. I get heartburn but I take something to help with that. I also have to take it during the day because it wakes me up. It makes my already bad insomnia worse.

I am not a big drinker to begin with but when I would have a drink it made me feel woozy with just one drink. I agree with everyone else that it kind of is a bad idea to rink on psych meds anyway. As with anything you should talk to your doctor. Everyone is different.

Dr_boo · 16-02-2012, 01:26 PM

I think you need to take it for a couple of weeks before drinking on it, just so you can asses how you feel. It can cause some anxiety and fast heart rate so that might make you worse when you drink.

Fluoxetine is not addictive. But some people fine it such a helpful medication that they are reluctant to come off when they are feeling better able to cope.
My mum and dad take it and they like how it makes them less angry so they don't want to come off it. They don't want to deal with their anger issues in therapy so they use the meds instead. Does that help answer your question?

To The Lighthouse · 16-02-2012, 10:49 PM

Thank you so much for all of your replies, I've had a lot of anxiety around wether or not to use my prescription and then actually going out to the pharmacy and no one's been around to support me so you don't realise how helpful you've been. I've decided to start taking it on Monday because it's worth a try. I will avoid alcohol at first but maybe experiment some time with small amounts (because I cannot do social situations without it). Thank you all!