lexapro and alcohol

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

I totally agree with you Lil sis
Luvs
Big sis

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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

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.