Can Nalmefene block my antidepressants

Hi Liz, I'm drinking 1 bottle of wine everyday. When I told my doctor SCM

She looked at me like I was mad. She had to get a book out to look up drug and gave me Nalmefene. I feel so alone even GP hasn't a clue.

How Carola, I'm still drinking the same a bottle everyday I'm not getting the enjoyment from it but still got the habit. I'm not seeing doctor until 16 APRIL. I know my depression is back as I don't want to do anything, I'm doing my best to gide it from my children. Is there any point staying on Nalmafene 😑

Cisorium, do call your doctor about this as they may want to make an adjustment to your medication. What kind of antidepressant are you taking and what was your drinking like before you started that antidepressant? I ask this because some antidepressants can make some people crave alcohol more and if that's the case for you, it's something your doctor should hear about. 

It could also be that you were self-medicating your depression with the alcohol, as drinking does release endorphins and raises dopamine levels in the brain. Even though you haven't been drinking less (did you drink less when starting the Nalmefene, then your drinking popped back up again?), the endorphins could well still be blocked by the Nalmafene. 

There's also the chance that you might get along with Naltrexone better, if it's offered in your NHS area. The side effects from Naltrexone are generally easier to get along with. 

Hi ADEfree, I'm on Fluxetine 6 months I've never needed meds before. I'm a triathlete and normally train 6 days a week until I spiralled out of control. I've been drinking a bottle and a bit last year I knew I needed help when I was moving to the seconded bottle, id get cross if my husband tried to stop me drinking more. Yes to start meds stopped me drinking but now I'm back to a bottle. I'll be asking for Naltrexton but I don't think I can get in as I'm in Northern Ireland.

Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of information about Northern Ireland. You might have to find a private psychiatrist to prescribe it off label. There's also a clinic in Ireland that will prescribe it, but they also offer Naltrexone implants (which can't be used for The Sinclair Method). 

Did you try the fluoxetine to help with the drinking? Did it seem to make any difference in your drinking when you started it? It's kind of a curious thing, as SSRI medication can make some crave more, some less and others see no difference in their drinking at all. 

Something that might help is to go to a pharmacist and see if they have any information on the guidelines for prescribing Naltrexone in the Northern Ireland Formulary. They might also be able to tell you what kind of doctor can prescribe it (GP or specialist) and give you a referral to a private physician if public healthcare doesn't cover it. 

Cisorium, one other thing - opioid antagonists like Nalmefene and Naltrexone block endorphins and shouldn't interfere with SSRI medications (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). What blocking the endorphins mainly does is to stop a neurochemical cascade that ends up as elevated dopamine levels in the brain's Reward System. That's what I know about the subject as a layperson. 

That said, some have reported that they feel depressed after starting Nalmefene or Naltrexone (and some have felt their depression lifting, so go figure). It might take a bit more time for you to get past this rough spot, or your doctor may need to change out your medication. But do call your doctor and let her know what's going on, don't wait until the 16th. 

My first few months on antidepressants I was back to my old self I didn't even realise I had depression thought it was chronic fatigue from training so much. My body was sore I'd no engery and I just wanted to sleep. I was shocked, tearful when Gp suggested.... at that stage she didn't know about my drinking. I've sense had test done as I keep braking bones most think over training but I'm osteopinic doc said I'm not absorbing calcium because of my drinking. I've got away with racing and drinking for the last 5 years my body has had enough. My tolerance was so high I never got hung over training no problem. I'm back to no engery wanting to do nothing, still drinking a bottle of wine while children are sleeping trying to feel better. I know I'll still drink later if anything just to sleep. My drinking only eased up for two weeks with Namalfene. No change drinking from antidepressants. Hiding this dark cloud isn't easy. I'm glad I have you, who understand. I thank you.

I am also a triathle for about 15 years. Pretty pathetic at it though, but I love sport. I have been drinking a bottle of wine right throughout plus smoking, but I never broke any bones. I am on Naltexone for 10 weeks and it is an up and down journey. I do believe that training helps a lot. I want to be able to control my drinking and then tackle the smoking. Want to do a half Ironman in December of this year. Having kids and training is tough by itself. Been there done that. I did the full Ironman 11 years ago and that was too much for me, so only half for me for now. If you concentrate on becoming a super fit healthy person, maybe the less drinking will come by its own. Well, this is how approach it. Good luck. Hugs xX

You're quite welcome, Cisorium!

You probably (almost certainly) just ran across the "Honeymoon". Initially there's a drop in drinking with TSM, but that always rebounds to one degree or the other. That rebound typically falls off more slowly to a new low, which is followed by a rebound, which is followed by a new low, etc, etc. I'll send you a link to an article with a graph that will show you what I mean.

This seems to happen because the addicted part of the brain initially gives up some ground, then fights back, then gives up, fights back and so on. It's just the normal rhythm of TSM. This is one of the reasons tracking one's drinking is recommended, as it can be seen in a graph that while there are these hills and valleys, the trendline month over month is down. I've never seen a TSM graph that is a straight line down, it just doesn't happen that way. 

So hopefully the depression is a temporary thing, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to see if you can line up some Naltrexone just in case things would be easier for you with that instead of the Nalmefene. Nalmefene is generally approved for drinking reduction, but only within a certain range of drinking. If you wish to use TSM to become indifferent to alcohol, you may need to switch to Naltrexone anyway (depending on what the guidelines are in Northern Ireland). 

Glad to hear you didn't see any negative changes in your drinking/craving with the antidepressant!  

Hey Sportyfiftysix, the scary thing is I did race hard even race on the Ireland team and nobody has a clue about my drinking. I'm normally placed top 3 always top 5. I too race half Ironman last few years coming 1st 2nd 3rd.

I've always said sport keeps me happy so very shocked when depression sneaked up on me. I'm determined to stay on Nalmefene hoping to brake the addiction to booze. I'm meant to be racing half Ironman end of May but I'm struggling to function pretending to my coach I've got it another bug. As I type is time to open the wine, all very very sad.

I hope my doc will let me try Naltrexton, I'll let you know. I won't give up I'll stay on this rollercoaster until it stops. Thanks, ADEfree. X

How much you have achieved Cisorium. Ironman and often winning which is totally amazing, obviously. You have so much to be proud of. 😁

Thanks Robin, it's crazy to think I've became addicted to booze. I'm still trying to train my normal early morning session aren't happening, I'm finding it so hard to get out of bed. It's amazing how we look on the outside when most haven't a clue I'm a mess. Glad to have found you all. X

Could you plz send me the link as well. My honeymoon is over and I am batteling. Now I know how good it feels to drink less and I want to be there again. My willpower is so weak. Drinking too much makes me depressed and when I am depressed I drink more. A vicious circle. Hugs CK

Wow, can you imagine how you would perform without the drink? Your coach probably suspects that something is not right. Maybe you should confide in him for extra support. I told my boss and it made me feel much better as I now feel less guilty.

Hugs CK

I'm sure he knows fine well I'm not ready to tell him though.