What happens when you mix Antidepressents and alcohol?

Question

Any doctors out there? If you are on anti depressants what happens if you drink alcohol. Do the anti depressants stop working?

Answer 1

Its not advisable. Different types of anti-d react differently to alcohol, depending on what active ingredients they have (i.e. the type of drug). I wouldnt quite say that alcohol would STOP them working, but it will certainly hinder them since alcohol itself is a depressant. If you can drink in moderation then fine - but as with many depressive people, alcohol can be used as a crutch and ultimately alcohol dependancy... you think you are bad with depression - try depression and alcoholism! Its your call friend... best of luck.

Answer 2

Well, I was told I could have an occasional couple. If you drink too much then the antidepressants don't work. Also you need to remember that alcohol is a depressant even though it can make you feel good at the time the reaction it has in the brain is to depress it.

I am on 300mg venlafaxine and I always had a couple of drinks now and then.

Answer 3

most antidepressants are not known to cause problems when taken with alcohol, although manufacturers generally advise drinking alcohol with caution; you should avoid drinking alcohol if you are taking a medication called mirtazapine because this can make you feel very sleepy
You should never stop taking any antidepressant medication just so you can drink alcohol, as stopping antidepressants suddenly can cause withdrawal effects such as flu-like symptoms, sensations in the body that feel like electric shocks and seizures (fits).
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Answer 4

It depends on what antidepressants you have in mind and how much alcohol.

Generally, mixing alcohol with antidepressants is a bad idea. The alcohol can induce feelings of depression and exacerbate the sedative effects of antidepressants, making you feel drowsy and unco-ordinated. It can also increase the risk of seizures and organ failure if taken in large amounts over a long period of time.

The worst combination is mono-amine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI's) and alcohol containing tyramine, like wine and beer. This produces an increase in blood pressure that can lead to a stroke in high-risk patients.

For information on a specific antidepressant, see NHS direct or consult the leaflet that should have come with the medication.

Answer 5

It probably depends on what anti depressant you are on. I've heard that it can increase the effect of the alcohol - not good.
Read the instructions on the packet, if it tells you not to take them and drink then don't. Your body is too precious to mess it up by mixing things you shouldn't.

Answer 6

Lots of things happen. Anti-depressants mixed with alcohol can be fatal especially if it is elavil, also called amitriptyline...
Alcohol is a depressant, you are defeating the purpose of the anti-depressants when you drink alcohol.

Answer 7

When I have mixed the two, I feel like the antidepressents don't work as well and the alcohol is intensified. I know a lot of people that mix the two on a daily basis - but I'm sure it's not something you should do.

Answer 8

Look on the side of the perscription it will say. The reason that you don't want to mix medications with alcohol is that it increases their strength and can complicate things even more if the drug is an antidepresent because alcohol is a depresent. In combination they can reek havok on you heart, so read the package and talk to a doc.

Answer 9

Can you say, gastric lavage?

Alcohol in and of itself is a central nervous system depressant. You're multiplying that effect.

Answer 10

Depends on which antidepressant you take - anyway, it tells you on the leaflet.
I did that a few years ago and felt seriously unwell.