alcohol + antidepressants

[dragonfog019]

i was wondering if anyone knew what the effects are of drinking on SSRIs? prozac and paxil in particular. i know that people really aren't supposed to drink on antidepressants, and when my friend asked his doctor about it, he said it was because the effects of the alcohol are doubled. if anyone knows anything about this, or has any links to information about it, i'd appreciate it.

 

[HYDRO_CHRONIC]

i drank on zoloft ALOT and i didnt see where alcahol affects were doubled..my mom drinks and shes on paxil and she has no adverse affects she can knock back a 12 pack with no prob.

 

[themagicbean]

Drinking on antidepressants has two major effects:
1) Longer term: The alcohol by itself plays with your neurochemistry (that's why its fun) and thus makes it more difficult for the a-d to do its job. (Your friend won't get instantly depressed, just the medication won't work as well overall. The more and more often he drinks, the less effective the medication will be.)
2) Short term: The effects of the alcohol are magnified by the a-d. I don't know about "doubled" but they're certainly increased.

 

[fairnymph]

You will probably be more sensitive to alcohol but you can still drink safely, just don't go overboard. I drank on SSRIs myself without any problems...

 

[~edemon]

When I was on Paxil, any alcohol I consumed easily hit me twice as hard, if not more. Paxil is the devil.

 

[dragonfog019]

thanks for all of the replies. if anyone has any links to anything about the interactions, i would really appreciate that as well.

 

[CrankItUp077420]

When I use to drink when i wsn't on prozac My tolorance was pretty high it took me awhile to feel a buzz but since I have been on the meds everytime I drink its takes me no time whatsoever to feel a bit unbalenced and impaired! But i like it its soo much fun.<(no offense to anyone who is agianst it)