Beer Beer & Beer!

[Carlise]

Man I'm glad I found this place. It seem's a bit more "relaxed" so to speak then some of the other boards I've tried. Before when I broached the subject of alcohol and SSRI's people stroked out on me. They said if I had beer while taking SSRI's I would wake up dead lol. Truth is, I haven't really found the answers on the subject that I've been seeking. There's seems to be a lot of confusion and mis-information out there. It also really pisses me off that once you tell people you like to drink they automatically assume your a raging alcoholic! I LOVE beer. Okay, I said it. I brew my own, I go to beer fests, tastings, and micro brewery's, and so on. I love that taste and yes I'll admit I do enjoy a nice beer buzz from time to time. I don't ever get "drunk" anymore cause I can't handle the hangover the next day. But yes, there are several time's a week when I do consume a 6'er or maybe even more.

Okay, now that I got that all out here's my questions. Is drinking beer while taking SSRI's an absolute no no?? My pcp kinda shrugs his shoulders and say's I should be fine. my Pharmacy was like, no you can not drink on these meds. My heart doc say's it all depends on the person. Some can, some can't.

Right now I treat my anxiety w/ an occasional Xanax but not very often. I've avoided the SSRI's to this point. But I feel like I'm gonna die of a heart attack or stroke or something everyday. And everyday I don't. So anxiety is the only rational explanation I can think of for my symptoms. I have an unfilled RX for Effexor and I so want to try it, but then again I don't.

So anyway's, here's my concerns.

1. Will consuming alcohol while taking effexor kill me?

2. I was told the real danger is that it can make the drug ineffective making the person more depressed then ever. Well, I'm not depressed so I'm not to worried about that.

3. I was told that it will increases the effects of the alcohol. I was like YIPPY!!! lol

4. I was told I could go into a coma???? Have not read anything like that on-line.

5. I was told it will destroy my liver. My doc said he had never heard this???

6. I was told that it would make me more likely to become an alcoholic. Eh, I ain't too much worried about that.

That's all I can think of right now. Very sorry for the long post. Advice appreciated very much!

[jt07]

I drink occasionally on an SSRI. I believe that the real danger is that the downsides of alcohol (depression, rebound anxiety) offset the upsides of the SSRI. Also, in my case, the SSRI makes it more difficult feel when I've had too much. I could become very drunk by the time I feel the alcohol. It happened once several years ago. I was fine one minute and couldn't stand the next. So the advice not to drink on an SSRI is sound advice.

By the way, Effexor is not technically an SSRI, but an SNRI. However, at low doses it functions like an SSRI.

[Carlise]

Ah, that's for the clarification on the class of the drug. So it appears that the danger of mixing the two is not really "physical" per se. In other words, you wont drop dead from the combination? I know mixing benzo's with alcohol can cause fatal respiratory response in some unlucky folks. That was my main concern. Sounds like is basically just counter productive to drink while on this med. Now, I know the answer to this question, but is there a anti-anxiety med that is LESS dangerous to drink on?

[jt07]

So it appears that the danger of mixing the two is not really "physical" per se. In other words, you wont drop dead from the combination?

I'm not saying that at all. I don't know how safe it is. I was just telling my case and my opinion, but you would have to ask a doctor for a definitive answer. Apparently, you've already asked your doctor and he said that it was ok. I would still be hesitant to make a habit of drinking on an SSRI for the reasons that I stated.

Now, I know the answer to this question, but is there a anti-anxiety med that is LESS dangerous to drink on?

This question calls for a medical opinion and is best directed to a doctor.

[Carlise]

I went ahead and called the Pharmaceutical Company directly. I got the answers I needed. Thanks for the reply.

[olga]

I would like to point out that many of the meds we take are processed through the liver. I have friends who have been taking psych drugs for 25-30 years, and some of them choose to avoid alcohol because they don't want the added strain on the liver.

I like beer also, and wine, and most days I have a glass of one or the other. What concerns me about your post is this: "But yes, there are several time's a week when I do consume a 6'er or maybe even more."

Going to a microbrewery and trying a sampler of beers is one thing: slugging down a 6-pack or MORE several times a week is some serious drinking. This is a drinking problem, in my opinion, and you need to address this. If I went to my PCP and told him I was drinking this much, he would be shocked and (I'm sure) would try to talk me into going into a treatment program.

The other factor here is using alcohol to deal with your anxiety. It sounds to me like you are self-medicating, which is not a very good idea.

I know what you say when you state that you love beer. I live in an area with dozens of small breweries and my husband and I love to have a pint of pale ale, or a really good dark beer from one of these places. But one beer is very different from 6-packs several times a week. You need to see a doctor about this. If you are going to be taking an anti-anxiety drug prescribed by a psychiatrist, you must be frank with him about the amount of alcohol you are drinking. Your PCP sounds like he has his head in the clouds.

olga

[Carlise]

Nah, I've already seen a counselor and he say's I have no drinking problem at all. Most people do not understand the definition of alcoholism. It's more complicated then I care to delve into right now. But I go months without a beer, and have zero liver troubles. I have an annual biopsy and heptic panel screens every 3 months. Also, my anxiety and beer do not coexist at all. One does not lead to the other. When I'm anxious I never touch a drink. And when I drink, I'm never anxious. I do thank you for you candid advice however. Anyways, I believe I have decided to forego the effexor for the time being anyways. After cruising this board a little I don't think I'll be back here also. NO OFFENSE intended at all. But this board seems to be geared towards folks with some profound mental issues. I was shocked at some of the post's I read. I'm just a once every month or so panic attacker and I hope it stays that way! And I'm just a hypochondriac lol. My heart truly goes out to you people however and I wish you all the very best. Thanks again and have a wonderful life!!

[melissaw72]

Any alcohol IMO with any medication is something I, personally, dont think is a good idea. But that is me. Almost everyone can tolerate some i guess.

[mcjimjam]

It won't kill you. It's common for one to get drunk quicker if he takes ADs. That's about it.

[Carlise]

It won't kill you. It's common for one to get drunk quicker if he takes ADs. That's about it.

Yep, that's exactly what the manufacturer told me. And they said the depression may worsen considerably over time with alcohol consumption. BUT, I'm not a bit depressed so most likely not an issue.

[melissaw72]

I would like to point out that many of the meds we take are processed through the liver. I have friends who have been taking psych drugs for 25-30 years, and some of them choose to avoid alcohol because they don't want the added strain on the liver.

Good point.

[Velvet Elvis]

I'm on pretty much the same page as you.

[Ems1981]

I went out drinking shortly after starting Pristiq (Effexor's cousin). I got drunk very quick and got super sick and was sick for about two days. I know everyone's body is different, but for me, I decided that I will refrain from alchohol. Maybe 1-2 drinks here or there, but no more than two...that's for sure.

[chimpmaster]

Its a sensitive issue because of the prospect of litigation and the like - they have to place warnings on these meds.

Most dr's will urr on the other side of caution - that is drink only in moderation.

From my experience:

1. Will consuming alcohol while taking effexor kill me? Probably not.

2. I was told the real danger is that it can make the drug ineffective making the person more depressed then ever. Well, I'm not depressed so I'm not to worried about that. possible but not likely. Some argue this but i think its uncommon.

3. I was told that it will increases the effects of the alcohol. I was like YIPPY!!! lol Yes this is true.

4. I was told I could go into a coma???? Have not read anything like that on-line. Unlikely.

5. I was told it will destroy my liver. My doc said he had never heard this??? Unlikely, though some meds are metabolised by the same liver enzymes as alcohol.

6. I was told that it would make me more likely to become an alcoholic. Eh, I ain't too much worried about that. I have no info regarding this.

[GonnaLaugh]

uh, a long time ago, I was taking an AD. It was my first time taking crazy meds. I do believe it was a tricyclic or whatever and I had been very good about not drinking. Then I went to a party of an old friend I hadn't seen in some time and had a few beers. Nothing really excessive. But it just wrecked me, and I ended up blacking out and throwing up on this person's bed. Needless to say, we have not been friends since then.

[melissaw72]

I think it just effects everyone differently, so it is best to run it by your pdoc or whomever prescribes meds for you.

[Alien Navel Cord]

I'm on two anti depressants (Wellbutrin and citalopram) and I drink. Not excessively, but in moderation. And I am fine. I don't notice it making me drunker than I normally would be, and it does not seem to increase the depressant effects of the alcohol. So far so good. I don't go out and get drunk, though, so I am not sure if thats a whole different story... it could be.

[vandeeje]

From Crazymeds.us: http://www.crazymeds.us/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Meds/Effexor

§5.2  Not So Common Side Effects of Effexor

Increased or lowered blood pressure, sweating, farting, anorexia, twitching, shock-like sensations.

Also alcohol intolerance and/or alcohol abuse. So Effexor XR (venlafaxine hydrochloride) is going to be just the thing to talk about at AA meetings.

I used to have these last two listed as rare side effects, but I’ve received way too many e-mails and have read far too many similar reports here and on various other sites after putting up this page about both of them. As is often the case here, the anecdotal evidence will often trump what is in the US PI Sheet. Best guess to date as to why both of these side effects can happen - Paul of Leeds (in the U.K.) posits that Effexor’s broad spectrum use of liver enzymes probably interferes with alcohol clearance and tolerance, thus leading to the type of alcoholism that affects people without the proper enzymes to effectively metabolize alcohol. Between that and the way Effexor XR works your liver, you’re probably better off giving up booze entirely if you’re taking this med.