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Citalopram and alcohol?

Posted , 6 users are following.

funkdakarma
funkdakarma

I know advice varies from one medical advisor to another (and tolerance level from one user to another), but what's the typical rule of thumb with antidepressants and alcohol? 

I went back on Citalopram recently, the first 2 days felt good......on Day 3 had about 3 pints of beer, 2 gin and tonics and then another bottle of beer to round off the night, and I remember my mood being in a funk after that (because of things that happened in the club that night), but also recalling that I reacted slightly more calmly to the situation because I was on antidepressant's. The next morning I woke up still feeling drunk, and the rest of the day I had slight anxiety.

Morning of Day 5 I feel slightly better (maybe because the alcohol is leaving the system?), but I've decided that for the near future at least to avoid drinking more than 2 units of alcohol.

Is it fine to cut down? Or are we generally told to abstain altogether until we start feeling completely better? I'm told alcohol and antidepressants actually send mixed messages to the brain?

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • gillian20097
    gillian20097 funkdakarma

    Posted

    I was on Citalopram for many years and once I felt better mood wise I did start to socialise and drink. I think it maybe was about six months after starting the Cit.

    My mood the day after wouldn't be so great,I'd feel down,a little panicky and slightly out of it.

    I really wouldn't advise drinking alcohol while on any medication of this sort but I know many who do.

    I think it's up to the individual and how they feel while drinking on antidepressants but I personally wouldn't xx

    • funkdakarma
      funkdakarma gillian20097

      Posted

      Thanks. Felt exactly that way the day after a heavy drinking session. It basically undoes the work of the anti d's. Will be controlling my consumption 
    • gillian20097
      gillian20097 funkdakarma

      Posted

      I know it's hard when you start feeling better, you want to throw yourself right back into the mix of things at a hundred miles per hour. That's great but you do have to mindful of where just came from and gather positive things around you in order yo stay well.

      Its just a case of prioritising and make sure your mental health and emotions come first.

      Is a few drinks worth going back to square one?

      Or is it more important to make sure you are mentally healthy?

      Im not for one minute saying that a couple down the boozer is going to take you right back to where you was because you are obviously stronger now. However,I was last ill 13 years ago and felt nothing would ever rock my boat again. So I obviously wasn't very mindful of mental health,I didn't want to be. It was gone,it was something unfortunate that happened in my past.

      Yet here I am again feeling horrendous because I've bitten off more than I can chew,overloaded my life and my mind and fell right back into that Pitt.

      I wish you so much lunch and happiness. Please go out there and enjoy yourself but make positive decisions and surround yourself with positive people xxx

  • elizabeth20203
    elizabeth20203 funkdakarma

    Posted

    Antidepressants and alcohol don't really mix. I am on Citalopram thou i have had the odd glass of wine to help me relax. I would think the quantity you drank may be interacting with your meds. What dosage are you on, i am on a small dose of 10mg, if your on a high dose i would say stay clear of alcohol.
    • funkdakarma
      funkdakarma elizabeth20203

      Posted

      Thanks Elizabeth. I'm on 20mg and have been advised to up the dose to 30mg in a week. Have decided to drink no more than 2 beers per any drinking session, maybe a glass or two of wine, but will be giving the spirits (gin, whiskey) a miss until I get better
    • elizabeth20203
      elizabeth20203 funkdakarma

      Posted

      Hi That would be wise and if you find alcohol is interacting at all then stay clear for a while. Best to get better with your mental health. Good luck.
  • matthew_23451
    matthew_23451 funkdakarma

    Posted

    I have been on Cit for 2 years now. I stopped drinking the day I started taking Cit. Been t-total for two years now. Best thing I have ever done. Alcohol is a depressive. It will just undo the work Cit does for you. 

    I was worried that I'd be a recluse and wouldn't be able to handle social occasions, but its fine. I am really confident when I'm out with friends who are drinking. 

    • funkdakarma
      funkdakarma matthew_23451

      Posted

      Well done. That's some will power. I quit smoking 3 years ago (haven't smoked since) and have abstained from alcohol for Lent, so I need to tap into that resolve now!
  • holly_t
    holly_t funkdakarma

    Posted

    Hi there

    I was on cit for 4 years and my tolerance of alcohol decreased hugely (I told myself it was age related - always told tolerance decreases as you get older!). Anyway I would do things out of character (get argumentitive, upset easily etc) and generally black out and not remember about 2 3rds of the night. 

    When I came off it my tolerance got back to normal so I was then aware it was definitely the citalopram. I'm now back on cit, and watch what I drink. I like nights out but I now keep telling myself 'how many have you had now, drink some water, don't drink much more' etc.

    That's my honest review on the subject! I enjoy having a drink so won't stop myself, but don't like the anxiety and fear getting too drunk brings with it so I just watch myself now.

    • funkdakarma
      funkdakarma holly_t

      Posted

      Thanks Holly. I've had blackouts a few times myself, especially when I add Clonazepam to the equation.

      Day 6 back on the cit and feeling better, but perhaps two consecutive days of swimming in the ocean must be adding to the effect

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