Fluoxetine Question
rumpleteazer
Posts: 5,746 Forum Member
✭
I went to the doctors today and got given a prescription for fluoxetine (an anti-depressant for anyone who doesn't know) which I'll start taking tomorrow, this is the first time I've been on any medication and I have a question, just popped into my head and I'm annoyed I didn't think of it when I was at the doctors.
As a rule I don't drink alcohol. The last time I had any alcohol was last December but I've got something coming up in the next couple of weeks where I could be drinking. Obviously as I'm not a big drinker it's no big deal if I stick to my diet coke but it would be nice to have a drink. I'm getting conflicting information online about if you can drink when taking fluoxetine. Does anyone know the answer?
As a rule I don't drink alcohol. The last time I had any alcohol was last December but I've got something coming up in the next couple of weeks where I could be drinking. Obviously as I'm not a big drinker it's no big deal if I stick to my diet coke but it would be nice to have a drink. I'm getting conflicting information online about if you can drink when taking fluoxetine. Does anyone know the answer?
0
Comments
Good plan, didn't think of that. Sorry I've not been to the doctors for years so I'm at a bit of a loose end
Thanks, I wouldn't be getting plastered or anything but I thought I should ask the question
Fluoxetine takes 2 weeks to reach a steady concentration in your body, I would definately not drink in this 2 week period (can be a little 'tough')
I never drink when I'm down, I've never understood people who do that (I'm feeling down and miserable, I know I'll take an excessive amount of depressants!). It's someone's birthday and I'll have to get the train home so it would literally be one or two drinks.
As I said I'm not a big drinker so I probably won't anyway, I just wanted to check have a couple of birthday drinks wasn't going to be the biggest disaster if I did.
Also, if fluoxetine isn't working for you after a couple of months and you're having bad side effects, ask your doc to switch you to citalopram instead.
Because every leaflet will just warn you not to drink whilst taking them, as a way of stopping the manufacturer being sued.
The NHS website tells you whether you can drink or not on most drugs, a search for "fluoxetine and drinking" or inserting your own drug of choice gives a good answer. The NHS website also says you can drink whilst taking Paracetamol, but not if you're taking anything with codeine in - morphine and alcohol is a rather dangerous mix.
I know it was because I was on the fluoxetine as i've gotten that drunk in the past when I wasn't on medication and felt fairly ok the next day.
I've made a decision since that day that I won't have more than one or two drinks maximum if I have any at all. Thats what I can personally cope with. I have been on fluoxetine for a year and a half though.
But if you are not "down" why is your Dr giving you ADs?
I always had a drink while taking all types of ADs but to be honest it makes you feel worse.
If you can go without then its better for you.
So drink as much as you like as it wont make the slightest bit of difference. And after a few months get your prescription changed to Mirtazapine.
Remind me to consult you next time I need an expert opinion on my ADs. :rolleyes: <--- and yes I hate that smiley usually but it's sooooo appropriate here.
Everybody is different. Personally speaking, Fluoxetine has changed my life for the better for the last 6 years, and I certainly notice if I forget to take my morning tablet. I'm on the minimum dose of 20mg and a few months ago that was increased to 40mg because I was going through a particularly difficult phase, however it completely knocked me out, so it was put back to 20mg. My friend, however, takes 40mg daily and it has no detrimental effect on her, but it has certainly levelled out our moods for both of us - so to say it's rubbish is, well, rubbish.
OP, I hardly ever drink but when I do have a rare glass of wine it doesn't have any effect, but like others say, check with your own GP for their opinion.
before i was dx`d bipolar i was scripted it without a stabilizer, i only took it for three weeks and it triggered a seven month high.
not everyone has the same experience with any particular antidepressant and it can take a while to find the one that`s right for you.
What an utterly stupid thing to say. I actually agree with the opinion that Fluoxetine doesn't work, well for ME anyway. I went on Fluoxetine with mild depression and came off it with horrific side effects including severe depression and suicidal thoughts.
However, it has changed thousands of peoples lives and I know people who cannot speak higher of it. I'm now on citalopram which has done wonders, but plenty of people say it is awful and has more negatives than positives.
They also do still prescribe it. It is supposed to be one of the safest.
OP, you must ask your doctor about the drinking but I found that the general consensus is that a couple of drinks is fine, but it is not recommended purely because, as you know, alcohol is a depressant.
i took fluxotene on and off for 4 years and i drunk alcohol and ive never had a hangover in my life! although it does effect everyone differently, if its a one off my GP just said drink in moeration.
In my opinion this is very good advice. Fluoxetine didn't work for me but when I switched to citalopram I got much better.
Also, I found that when taking AD's I couldn't face alcohol so you might find that you don't even want a drink. However, if you did, one or two would be fine.
This. Fluoxetine has quite literally saved my life.:sleep:
Fluoxetine works for thousands and is still prescribed so your doctor is talking nonsense.
I moved off citalopram and onto fluoxetine for my depression when I was diagnosed with bipolar so I could also be prescribed lithium.
OP, a couple of drinks while taking fluoxetine will be fine. If in doubt, check with your pharmacist as they will have more up to date advice.
Here's the formal US Government advice in the form of MedlinePlus's online guidance note:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a689006.html
That guidance would seem to imply that only very moderate amounts of alcohol should be drunk if at all and I would suggest checking with the advice on the label and in the instructions that come with your medicine.