is it ok to drink beer and take medication?

Question

the medication is Lamictal for bi-polar and ADHD.

how about a 12pack of beer every other day?

its my b-friend he just wont give it up. please no judgments. thanx

Answer 1

You boyfriend can only have Bipolar not ADHD and Bipolar

Alcohol will only increase his depressive episodes

People with Bipolar disorder should not drink alcohol

Answer 2

my intuition says definately not, although i'm a culprit of hipocrisy as everyone else is... i've had my share of "hydros" with a few beers with no adverse effects. the same with otc stuff like tylenol and stuff. you generally wanna stay away from it, but everythings okay in moderation. i say up to 3 drinks while the meds are in you are okay, anything more is too risky. think about it... your liver/kidneys filter your blood and stuff. with just the medicine (some are worse than others, i'd call a pharm. or research on-line), your liver is working hard to get rid of wastes and stuff. add alcohol, and it works that much harder... add the synergetic properties of both... and its even THAT Much harder on the liver. keep doing it and it gets progressively worse. its generally a stupid/bad idea, although i've done it too. i wouldn't exactly disagree, however, with your bf if it were just a few beers over the course of a full day... everyday.... but a 12 pack is definately pushing it. if you think you need to help him... try a comprimise with him. tell him you understand he wont give it up, but maybe he can cut it down to a six pack every other day? (spread out the two days... like three beers a day) or even ask him to limit it to 4 beers a day... and tell him you'll be totally okay with it. if all else fails.... try to get him to put down just one beer out of that 12-pack... anything will help.... good luck

Answer 3

I am NOT a doctor. I believe one of the components defining the parameters of bi-polar... disease?... syndrome? is the tendency toward addictive behavior. If your friend is washing down his meds with 6 beers a day he may be demonstrating that the diagnosis is correct - but the dosage of meds is too low. I wish you both the best -but it's gonna take some butt-breaking work.

Answer 4

That depends on the medicine and it's directions. Some medicines -whether over the counter or prescription- instruct users not ot take them with alcohol. So check the label before you drink beer or any alcoholic beverage with any medication.

Answer 5

it's definately fine. in fact, i find that most prescription drugs work a lot better (or are at least more fun) with the addition of a few beers.
seriously though, the warnings on the lable are for liability reasons. alcohol intensifies some drugs and can have adverse effects on the liver, kidneys and stomach, but generally don't have too harmful of an internal affect on nuero-drugs.

Answer 6

What does the doctor say? Its not good to drink with any meds, especially that much.

You need to ask your doctor about this.

Also, cut back on the beer for other reasons. It can really put the weight on and could potentially be a gateway to alcoholism.

Answer 7

More than likely not. If he won't quit give him alcohol free beer. Or get him to go to the Local Mental Health clinic and ask for help there.

Answer 8

It's not good to drink all that beer medication or not.

Look up the medication name online and look at the precautions or drug interactions.

But like I said, that's more beer then any doctor or pharmacist would recommend and you know that.

Answer 9

Not sure about those particular drugs, but in general NO. In fact, a 12-pack every other day would be a reason to be concerned without the drugs.

Answer 10

Medication for the treatment of mental disorders, generally, does not mix with alcohol. There should be a warning on his pill bottle.