MIRZATAPINE AND ALCOHOL

Unlike other antidepressants, mirtazapine is one of the ones you ready should refrain from drinking with. If you're wanting to feel better...you should deffo stop drinking until you're stable at least. I had some wine a few weeks ago and had a anxiety ridden 4days to follow. I have read that wine especially is a problem. I did have a couple of Bacardi and cokes a few days ago and it wasn't nearly as bad as the wine though still felt a bit iffy. I'm now pretty sure that I'm just not going to drink as I'd rather have my mental health than a few drinks. I'm on 45mg and have been for 2weeks now. But was on 30mg for 10weeks.

Sorry Patricia, no drinking .

I agree with you Rachael about not drinking. I was just interested to hear other people's experiences. Did you find much difference between the 30 mg and 45. I think I may have to go on 45 mg. Did you still feel bad on the 30 mg?

David you say no drinking. Did you have bad experiences?

30mg helped but not enough. I upped to 45mg at 11weeks and didn't notice much difference initially however I've been having more and more 'normal' days on the 45mg so I think I'm pleased I did increase. I think its all a gradual thing. You have to learn to trust yourself again and I'm slowly doing this xx

Hi Patricia, yes. The drugs have already to be processed by liver, and now to add alcohol will not be wise for liver health, particularly if you also costume fruit juices etc unused fructose is also a liver burden. The real clanger for me though was the rebound anxiety attacks I got when I used to self medicate with it. Also try to reduce caffeine and no nicotine as they just set you up for anxiety. Getting there is not easy, but slowly reducing these stimulants helped me. For driving etc, there are limits for alcohol consumption. These drugs do not improve our motor coordination etc, eg Mirt has a welcome side effect of making us drowsy. Since the interaction of the 2 chemicals has not been studied, there is no known safe limit. So like pilots we should not drink at all and drive. Having said all that, if you want half a glass of red wine with dinner I won't tell.

D.

Agree with pretty much all of what David has said. I think the IDD drink here and there can do no harm but only when you're well unto treatment and starting to feel the benefit. I drink decaff tea now but that's because I had sleep problems before but still drink the odd Pepsi in the day. I haven't found its made me more anxious however if a huge caffeine junkie...I can see how it may affect anxiety x

Hi Patricia,

Just thought I should mention that over christmas and new year I was taking citalopram (only started taking mirtazapine in Jan when doctor decided to try me with something else), anyway on citalopram I found that it didn't cause me any problems to have a few drinks, so same as you I thought well I'll be fine having a glass of wine whilst taking mirtazapine, but oh nooo it made me feel awful!! Anyway I know I've said before how I'm not drinking alcohol now, but just thought I would mention as you were asking about other antidepressants and alcohol.

Best wishes.

Many many thanks to you all for your comments. Rachael you have made me feel much better about increasing the dose. I go home tomorrow so it will be much easier to give up the demon drink!! I am going to see how I am then before I ask the doctor for an increase. Funny enough I have felt quite good for most of today. But then that often happens and then bad days follow. Still this is first good day for about a week. Interesting what you said about the wine and Mirt. Sunset. No problem when taking Venlafaxine but awfu with Mirtazapine.

Thanks again Pat

No problem Pat, I was a bit worried about an increase initially but have been pleasantly surprised with it. I too was having a series of good and then bad...almost as though the good days set off my anxiety but I think feeling better as a whole is gradual

Many thanks Rachael. I certainly won't be worried now if the doctor suggests increasing so many thanks.