Why shouldn't someone on antidepressants drink alcohol? I was just wondering what the interaction would cause...
2007-03-31 14:53:18 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
To exert its desired effect, a drug generally must travel through the bloodstream to its site of action, where it produces some change in an organ or tissue. The drug's effects then diminish as it is processed (metabolized) by enzymes and eliminated from the body. Alcohol behaves similarly, traveling through the bloodstream, acting upon the brain to cause intoxication, and finally being metabolized and eliminated, principally by the liver. The extent to which an administered dose of a drug reaches its site of action may be termed its availability. Alcohol can influence the effectiveness of a drug by altering its availability. Typical alcohol-drug interactions include the following (7): First, an acute dose of alcohol (a single drink or several drinks over several hours) may inhibit a drug's metabolism by competing with the drug for the same set of metabolizing enzymes. This interaction prolongs and enhances the drug's availability, potentially increasing the patient's risk of experiencing harmful side effects from the drug. Second, in contrast, chronic (long-term) alcohol ingestion may activate drug-metabolizing enzymes, thus decreasing the drug's availability and diminishing its effects. After these enzymes have been activated, they remain so even in the absence of alcohol, affecting the metabolism of certain drugs for several weeks after cessation of drinking (8). Thus, a recently abstinent chronic drinker may need higher doses of medications than those required by nondrinkers to achieve therapeutic levels of certain drugs. Third, enzymes activated by chronic alcohol consumption transform some drugs into toxic chemicals that can damage the liver or other organs. Fourth, alcohol can magnify the inhibitory effects of sedative and narcotic drugs at their sites of action in the brain. To add to the complexity of these interactions, some drugs affect the metabolism of alcohol, thus altering its potential for intoxication and the adverse effects associated with alcohol consumption (7).
Antidepressants. Alcoholism and depression are frequently associated (14), leading to a high potential for alcohol-antidepressant interactions. Alcohol increases the sedative effect of tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil and others), impairing mental skills required for driving (15). Acute alcohol consumption increases the availability of some tricyclics, potentially increasing their sedative effects (16); chronic alcohol consumption appears to increase the availability of some tricyclics and to decrease the availability of others (17,18). The significance of these interactions is unclear. These chronic effects persist in recovering alcoholics (17).
A chemical called tyramine, found in some beers and wine, interacts with some anti-depressants, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, to produce a dangerous rise in blood pressure (7). As little as one standard drink may create a risk that this interaction will occur.
2007-03-31 14:57:18 · answer #1 · answered by El Diablo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alcohol is incompatible with many of the drugs used to treat depression. It can intensify the sedative effects of some antidepressants. Chronic alcohol consumption can increase the availability of some antidepressants while decreasing the availability of others. Tyramine, a substance found in beer and wine, can interact with MAOIs potentially causing a dangerous rise in blood pressure. Consult your physician or pharmacist for specific precautions regarding your own medications.
2007-03-31 14:58:51 · answer #2 · answered by lilmissmiss 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First of all, drinking alcohol will reduce the effectiveness of your meds, and secondly, alcohol is a depressant and would "clash" with your antidepressants. Whenever I would drink (while taking numerous antidepressants) the next day was hell for me. Not a good combination.
2007-04-01 02:13:43 · answer #3 · answered by meggus31 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, most medications in general should not be taken with alcohol, but if you take antidepressants and alcohol at the same time it may increase central nervous system depression. Don't ask me why, we haven't gotten that far in my pharmacology class!
2007-03-31 14:59:52 · answer #4 · answered by ..angela.. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mixture of drugs can make a person even more depressed. If you are depressed and not taking medication you still shouldnt drink too much alcohol.
2007-03-31 14:57:01 · answer #5 · answered by f_jayce 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because alcohol is a depressant and can cause a reaction with your medication. If it says not to don't. It can also reduce the effects of some antibiotics.
2007-03-31 14:57:14 · answer #6 · answered by Laura Marie B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wondered that myself so I tried it, I got drunk EXTREMELY fast and on very little alcohol. If it is not something you do on a regular basis, than drinking some alcohol won't hurt. Just be prepared for extreme drunkenness and maybe a little crazier than usual behaviour!!
2007-03-31 15:31:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because alcohol is a depressant.
2007-03-31 14:56:31 · answer #8 · answered by margarita 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because alcohol is a depressant and
obviously anti deppressants are stimulants
2007-03-31 15:00:50 · answer #9 · answered by TEX 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It interferes with the potency and the drug action,it would not work as it should and you take longer to get over those depressed feelings
2007-03-31 14:59:06 · answer #10 · answered by alist 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋