Can I Consume Alcohol When Taking Antidepressants?

The incredible popularity of antidepressant pills has, according to some experts, changed the way Americans think about depression. With the introduction of these pills, depression began to be accepted as a neurochemical imbalance to be corrected with the medications, more like high blood pressure or diabetes. For many people, these compounds are lifesavers. They relieve depression, improve outlook and make life worth living. They can provide a sense of optimism and energy. In addition to restoring hope, some of these drugs have also been employed to battle bulimia (an eating disorder) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Since a lot of people are on antidepressants, a question about alcohol consume when taking antidepressants has become quite common today. Although it’s generally best to avoid combining antidepressants with alcohol, practically many people are not willing to completely give up alcohol when taking antidepressants. That’s why many health care providers take a moderate approach, recommending abstinence from alcohol as the best choice but also providing some guidance for the use of alcohol Medical advocacy and Outreach porn website antidepressants.

What is moderate drinking?

When health care providers recommend a moderate consume of alcohol, they mean just one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. Because the alcohol content in drinks varies, what counts as one drink also varies. When health care providers talk about one alcoholic drink, they are referring to one of the following examples:

12 ounces of beer

5 ounces of wine

1 ounce of 80-proof whiskey, or 1 ounce of 100-proof spirits.

Remember that having a little food and drinking your alcohol slowly can help minimize any problems caused by combining alcohol with antidepressants.

Still, there are some side effects which may happen when mix alcohol with antidepressants and you should be aware of them:

You may feel more depressed. Alcohol can worsen depression symptoms, so by drinking it, you could counteract effects of your medication and lessen its benefit.

You may become more intoxicated than usual. Some antidepressants may cause you to feel more intoxicated than normal when combined with alcohol, which can impair your judgment and ability to drive or do other tasks that require focus and attention.

The side effects from your medication may worsen. Some antidepressants cause drowsiness, dizziness, slow reaction time or even passing away, and so does alcohol. Mixing the two could make you sleepy, which is dangerous in situations where you need to be alert. So combining antidepressants with alcohol may affect twice your ability to perform certain functions as driving a car or operating machinery.

Deadly reactions can occur with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Examples of MAOIs include isocarboxazid (Marplan) phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate). When combined with certain types of beverages and foods, these antidepressants can cause a dangerous spike in blood pressure, leading to a stroke. If you take an MAOI, be sure you know what’s safe to eat and drink, and which alcoholic beverages can cause a reaction.

The first time you combine alcohol with an antidepressant, be sure to do so in a safe situation, in the company of someone you trust. And of course, while it’s generally better not to drink at all if you are depressed, ask your doctor. It may be OK to have an occasional drink depending on your particular situation, but it’s better to tell your doctor in advance about any other health conditions you might have and any other medications you take. Each, even insignificant detail can be very important and create side effects you would never expect.

Emma Parker European Licensed Pharmacy For Antidepressants, Contraceptives, Weight Loss Drugs, Antibiotics Online.

Reply...