Hi everyone!
So I have recently started taking Citalopram about 4 days ago. So far the side effects have been the occasional nausea, a bit of heightened anxiety, and mostly extreme exshaustion but they have all been manageable. I read on the information leaflet that you should not drink while on Citalopram? Is it really dangerous to do so? Is there a certain amount of time while being on the drug that it is then safe to start drinking moderately?
It's fine to drink, it's not dangerous. I have 2-3 but more may be fine. They only say it because alcohol is a depressant.
It is ok to drink in moderation thou i would wait until the Citalopram as stabilised in your body which can take about 6 weeks. Drinking in the early stages will increase your anxiety because the side effects of the drugs are heightened at the start.
You are right I never thought of that.
The label says something along the lines of 'it is advised not to drink alcohol while taking this medication,' which confused me because neither doctor or pharmacist mentioned this when going through the details and it doesn't make a big deal of it or explain why it says that! As far as I can gather, there are no real dangers in drinking while taking citalopram in terms of actual drug interactions. I think it is just at a case of alcohol effects everybody differently, and citalopram also effects everybody differently, so probably best to take it easy until you know how a combination of the two will effect you, especially in the early days. I only drink once in a while now on special occasions and I've not had any problems with it so far. As someone else said I think it's just to do with alcohol being a depressant so probably not a good idea to drink in excess when suffering from depression or anxiety anyway. I'd give it a break til the citalopram settles down then slowly introduce it and see how you feel. But I think it's fine for most people to have a drink once in a while 😊
Hi anon
I've taken Citalopram for 15 years and continued to have my wine with dinner, beer at the pub, etc etc and have been absolutely fine. Everyone is different though. Yes it does say on the Patient Info Leaflet not to drink, but it says that on most leaflets.
If I was you I'd refrain from drinking for a little while, or if you do be very careful especially as you've only just started taking the meds. Have a small amount and just gauge how you are.
K x
I only started Cip two weeks ago and have been too bombed and nauseous to even drink a glass of wine. I am sure after the initial start up I will be grabbing for a Friday night drink, but most who have been on this med for a while seem to say moderation and a little time after starting new meds and you should be fine.
Hi Anon,
Refrain, let the meds stabilize and then take it very carefully! That is what most of us have done. Any doubts don't! After all you want to get better don't you.
Cheers (Oops!),
David
Hi
I used to drink every day and have done for over 25 years, two or three pints in the pub, wine at home as well as parties and drinking in trips
One of the unexpected effects of the drug for me was that I no longer wanted to
Do you mind me asking what are you want to drink ?
For me it was a big habit and part of my social and homelife and made me feel better
I did try to drink anyway once when I was out and I did drink quite a lot, double vodka red bulls probably three or four of those and two of 3 pints of strong lager , it did not do me any harm apart from a slight hangover which I would never normally get but importantly I did not become inebriated nor enjoy the taste or the drinking itself I was sort of forcing it down because I was out and it is what I would normally do
Don't bother if you don't want to, find something else to do, since then I have been to a 50th party and didn't have anything to drink all evening and it was fine and I have not been drinking at home or out with meals maybe a little sip but I am saying that you may think you miss it but once you do start if you don't feel like it don't do it, it's not a great habit and not wanting to is good for me anyway - though it does leave you with a time hole to fill
I dont think you should drink at all on CIT i had a complete blackout after about two months. I am happy to take it because it saved my life so its an acceptable tradeoff
Check the "frequent" side effects: AMNESIA!!
I think i already checked those then forgot I had...
Hi Anon, The alcohol effects the neavous system so too the citalopram however smaller dosage the common one is the drowiness and tiredness so if your driving or requiring to be alert mentally thats not a good plan? other than that because citalopram is serontonin uptake alcohol can do the opposite being a depressant so asmall volume shouldnt be an issue however binge drinking could counter the citalopram and make one very anxious or ? be careful.
... checked what?!