Depression Forums

General => Medication => Topic started by: lola_p on October 20, 2011, 05:57:08 PM

Title: Alcohol & medication
Post by: lola_p on October 20, 2011, 05:57:08 PM
I have recently been prescribed antidepressants by the doctor.  I take 10mg amitripyline at night & 20mg citalopram in the morning.  I know i am on low dosage of both pills & that both advise you not to drink alcohol.  Does anyone have any first experience of drinking with these pills? I don't want to get stupid drunk but i would like the odd glass of wine. 

 $%$
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: Munchroom on October 20, 2011, 06:18:33 PM
Lola - in my experience, a glass or two of wine has never done me any harm. They are low doses and I have enjoyed a tipple on doses higher than that so I don't think you need to worry too much  ;)

It is all down to individual people though - sometimes I find if I am very low, one glass of wine is enough so send me further down, if I am 'hyper' then it will have me bouncing off the walls!  ::) Usually though.... I think in general it just has a slightly more sedating effect, which for me... is good!!  $%$
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: Zaf on October 20, 2011, 06:34:14 PM
I used to drink alcohol while taking citralopram and didnt notice any side effects or problems so I'm sure the occasional gass of wine wouldnt hurt
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: Depina on October 20, 2011, 06:52:14 PM
I agree
I have had the odd glass or 2 of wine, I don't drink much anyway, I didn't notice any side effects at all, $%$ while taking citalopram. I wouldn't worry about the odd glass.
XX

 !"!
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: cornish on October 20, 2011, 08:18:22 PM
i would say the opposite, just over a year ago now i completely stopped drinking as i had a very bad experience with alcohol and what ever i was taking at the time, not too sure what it was but im pretty sure it was a very high dosage and after just over 1 pint of cider i felt horrific, then again it was real cider. i wont go into the details but i would never drink on any meds from now on.
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: Munchroom on October 20, 2011, 08:34:34 PM
As a girl living in Somerset... I can sympathise that one pint of 'real' cider can leave you feeling truly horrific, meds or no meds!  ::)
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: cornish on October 20, 2011, 08:47:08 PM
PAH somerset cider,  REAL cider is CORNISH and would literally make you bloody northerners poop your self as soon as you tried to stand up,  ive seen it happen before.

with the amount i used to drink 1 pint was nothing to me really
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: Munchroom on October 20, 2011, 10:18:54 PM
I'm not a northerner... *frowns*  :P
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: lola_p on October 20, 2011, 10:19:39 PM
Thanks everyone for your replies. I think I will take it slowly & see how I get on. I'll be quite pleased if wine makes me sleepy. Since I started taking the citalopram during the day the amitripyline doesn't seem to help me sleep as well as it did.
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: cornish on October 20, 2011, 10:23:56 PM
I'm not a northerner... *frowns*  :P

you might as well be, you married one and left the homeland  :P
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: Munchroom on October 21, 2011, 08:27:19 AM
1. We aren't married yet - and if he continues to dispute that ANY Devonshire clotted cream is better than Roddas... we won't be for a while!!
And
2. I'll come back one day, when I can afford to! So  :P

xx
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: cornish on October 21, 2011, 10:16:47 AM
Married or not married, your still A traitor :p. And that is the best reason I've ever heard not to marry someone

When you do I will welcome you with open arms

Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: Munchroom on October 21, 2011, 10:27:05 PM
 :)

You'll have to un-ban me first though  :P
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: cornish on October 21, 2011, 10:31:30 PM
of course but you have to make it worth my while  :P
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: Depina on October 22, 2011, 12:54:35 PM
Hi Munch, how are you today, hope things are better for you Love Di XXXXX &*(

Hi Iola, Hows things? Love Di XXXXX   ^&^
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: lola_p on October 22, 2011, 04:22:48 PM
I'm doing okay the amitripyline which is suppose to help me sleep isn't working so i'm back to the doctor on thursday so will ask to increse dosage or different tablets.  I've had some wine & have to say there was no effect at all, i was hoping it would act as sedative but it didn't.  How are you doing?
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: Zaf on October 22, 2011, 04:24:09 PM
I think alcohol actually has the opposite effect after an hour or so,  it makes you sleepy to begin with then keeps you awake,  not sure where I heard that though  ::)
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: Munchroom on October 22, 2011, 05:31:55 PM
I'm ok thankyou Depina - having a very very lazy day today!!

Getting a bit nervous about the Halloween party I'm hosting next week  $%$ But trying to make myself remain calm and think positively about it!!

How are you??

xxx
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: Depina on October 22, 2011, 08:31:33 PM
Good thank you --- think the extra 10 of Citalopram is working - Hope so anyway !!
Love Di XXXXX
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: Bexwa on October 27, 2011, 03:10:23 PM
I've drank on Citalopram. I've never noticed any difference really :)
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: em89 on November 29, 2011, 11:53:37 PM
It's quite difficult for me to try not to drink whilst on 20mg fluoxetine.
being a student, i feel like im not enjoying myself as much as i could if i dont drink. when i first went on fluoxetine, i hardly drank at all when i went out-maybe just one or two disaronno and cokes, or a glass of wine. then id drink coke. my housemates were perfectly understanding, but i gradually increased the amount of alcohol i was drinking.
now, i probably have say about half a bottle of wine before i go out, then maybe 2 mixers and coke when im out. the next day i can get really, really depressed and down and dont want to do anything. my mums suggested that i cut back down on the drinking again and i know shes right.

i had a bit of a bad episode before the summer break when i drank a whole bottle of wine to myself and had maybe a drink or two when out. i was sick when i got back-which i normally wouldnt be after that much- felt sick for days afterwards and was passing blood when i went to the toilet. it mightve been a coincidence but ive never drank that much with being on fluoxetine again.
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: Glen53 on November 30, 2011, 09:00:53 PM
There are different reasons for not drinking when taking meds, so advice varies really.

Most medications can carry the risk of liver damage and drinking alcohol can also cause liver damage. The realism is that the odd drink every now and then is fine, but they have to cover themselves and advise against it.

I think the bottom line is that if you are tempted to drink, do it in moderation, make sure you have regular blood tests if they are recommended and if you notice any negative effects then cut the alcohol out straight away.
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: Got on December 22, 2011, 12:17:32 AM

I drank ten pints last week whilst on 45 mg mirtazipine and quetiapine. This was clearly childish and dangerous behaviour, respiratory supression and heavy sedation was a real risk.

Sometimes I do these things. I am not sure why I do it, but I am a serial binge drinker of over ten years. I cannot stop, this sounds like a bad attitude, but I have no idea how to stop. It doesn't matter how hard I try, I will do it again and again. I cannot do things in moderation, I am very much a man of extreams.

I have woken up on benches at the side of the road, slept in parks, on beaches, ended up in random hotels, even been taken to hospital a time or two.

I have considered  making a post on here asking for advice on how to stop, but I know I wont follow it.

I am not an alcoholic...just an escape artist.

Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: chilliconcarnage on January 09, 2012, 11:00:34 PM
Prior to Christmas I asked the Psychiatric Nurse that I see now and then at the local mental health unit, about drinking alcohol whilst taking Anti depressants. She said that it would take less for me to feel drunk and that was about it, but not to go OTT. So a few days before christmas I had a trial run and had a glass of red wine (Im one 30mg Mirtazapine at night with 5mg Buspirone and 15mg Mirtazapine in the morning with 5mg Buspirone), well I didnt feel any different than I would if I wasnt on any meds. New years eve the folks came over and I had a few drinks, again no problems.

But thats me...other people may react differently. And if it helps im around 15 stone 6'5", so perhaps I can tolerate it more? Either that or ive been lucky??
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: Glen53 on January 11, 2012, 10:13:30 AM
Alcohol can enhance the drowsy side effects of some drugs but for the most part it simply puts more work on your liver. The majority of medications can cause liver damage if taken in large doses or for long periods of time, so they advise against drink to be sure. Its good advice but its not realistic.

At the end of the day if people want to drink then they most likely will. The truth is that most healthy livers can deal with a lot of abuse (not that you should try it!!!) so having a few drinks every now and then on top of meds should be fine. I personally would be careful and limit your intake if you want to drink. My advice to anyone on medication and wanting to drink is have a blood test before you do and make sure they are satisfactory (ask the doc about liver function results) If they are, then be sensible, enjoy in moderation and ask for regular blood tests to keep an eye on things if you cant stay away from a regular social drinking session.  
Title: Re: Alcohol & medication
Post by: winter on January 19, 2012, 04:34:23 PM
They did say not so long ago that taking medicone and booze isnt the best plan but really wouldnt make much differance. I think its just a guide line not to over do it.
i mean i had a ton of tequilla shots over yule and all i got was a hangover