I'm currently taking a fairly low dosage of prozac (One 20mg prozac, once per day), for depression. I'm told that a small amount of alcohol is ok when taking it, but to avoid having too much. I don't want to waste my doctor's time in asking a fairly minor question, but I'd like to know how much I can actually have, and what the risks are.
Any answers are appreciated
2006-09-06 12:26:22 · 8 answers · asked by Jim 5 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Prozac and alcohol, while usually not recommended, is alright in low doses. When taking 20mg of Prozac, you would likely be alright to have 2 to 3 drinks over the course of the night. The deciding factor is how you feel at the time of ingestion. If you don't feel faint or any symptoms such as this than you are likely ok. I would not recommend exceeding more than 3 drinks, at most 4, while taking Prozac until you experiment with these amounts. And please, consult your doctor. He will have much more information about your specific medical condition than do I.
2006-09-06 13:08:58 · answer #1 · answered by Police 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Prozac and the other ssri's are different for everyone. What you want to do is be careful until you know how the combination affects you. Alcohol can make some people feel more depressed, for example. Or a smaller amount of alcohol might might you more intoxicated, or your driving could be seriously impaired, or any number of things. Or possibly it might not be a problem at all. If you asked your doctor, the doc would say beware of making your depression worse, and occasional drinking can be okay if you have no bad effects.
Sorry, there is no set answer... it depends on your individual chemistry.
2006-09-06 13:56:07 · answer #2 · answered by MailorderMaven 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been on Prozac for years and never had a problem with drinking alcohol. However, I recently felt like my alchohol consumption was increasing and went to talk to my dr about it. He said that the alcohol and the Prozac were counteracting each other. I never realized that the alcohol would basically stop the Prozac from working. I increased my Prozac and no longer have the strong urge to drink. As far as talking to your dr. I would say definately talk to him/her. If I had known why they say don't drink while taking Prozac I would have been more careful.
2006-09-06 14:00:46 · answer #3 · answered by Melisa W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be honest, if your taking Prozac for depression, any amount of alcohol is counter productive, alcohol is a depressant, and besides any other side effects for Prozac, being depressed and drinking are dangerous, and should be avoided.
Bluntly, don't drink when you are depressed if you feel you have to drink to be in a social situation opt for being the designated driver.
2006-09-06 12:37:32 · answer #4 · answered by ldp88 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't be afraid to ask your doctor, it's not a frivolous question at all. I take 10 mg of prozac on top of a few other meds and have never had any bad reactions with alcohol.
2006-09-06 12:33:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, never hesitate to ask your doctor aNY question. If you ever feel like you are being a bother then you need to find someone else to take care of you. Alcohol is not recommended with any presription medicine especially antidepressants and pain killers. Im not saying you will die with a small amount of alcohol BUT you never know what can happen since everyone reacts differently to different medicines. I hope this answers your question
2006-09-06 12:33:42 · answer #6 · answered by sarah t 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am no doctor, so this is just my opinion, but i also take an antidepressant and find that One occasional drink every couple weeks have never harmed me. I've never done more than that though since i've been taking it
2006-09-06 12:32:57 · answer #7 · answered by L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ask a pharmacist.... they know more than doctors do about meds anyway
2006-09-06 12:32:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋