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SSRI Interactions
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I am currently on citalopram, is it okay to take poppers while on this? And what about codeine? (for migraines) and also, why is it that it isn't recommended to drink alcohol while on citalopram?
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Alcohol and SSRI's
Drinking alcohol when taking an SSRI is not a good idea for several reasons. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, and since the SSRI's can cause sedation, the combination can be dangerous if driving or operating heavy equipment. Many people report that when taking an SSRI, even if they do not feel sedated, alcohol effects them more strongly than usual, and one drink may feel like two to four. In addition, alcohol can depress mood. I would argue that it makes little sense to be taking both a depressant and an antidepressant, particularly if you are having problems being depressed.
Given all this, alcohol is not absolutely contraindicated when taking an SSRI, and some people are able to continue social use of alcohol cautiously and responsibly without ill effect. Moderation, meaning no more than one or two drinks once or twice a week, is certainly recommended.
http://www.psymed.com/ssri.html
In my personal experience, I've found that when I am moody during the day, drinking effects it more. So say I'm in a bad mood, I'll drink and I'll spend the rest of the night crying and yelling at the poor innocent boyfriend. If I'm in a good mood, I'll spend all night talking and annoying anybody who will listen. I would say it definatly effects you more, like how they said one drink feels like 2 or something, but I've never drank while not on them, so I wouldn't really have anything to compare it to, but I am a lightweight
My personal experience is citalopram and booze is fine. They say don't drink because alcohol is a depressant so makes sense not to if you're depressed. But fun nights can lift spirits which counters depressive effects (as long as its not every night) so I think its just the docs covering themselves.
With some of the older SSRIs people were getting blackouts on only medium levels of booze plus I've seen friends fly into massive rages on seroxat (I think thats the name). I'm on citalopram now and have had no problems. On sertraline (Zoloft or Lustral) I occassionally went manic and made bad choices but I was then drinking alot.
Re codeine I've never had any problems.
Re poppers don't do them simply because brain rotting muck that''ll give a depressed person the worst come down ever (if you're sniffing all night at a club say).
But I'm not doc so above is just my own experience.
Cheers
what's the medicinal use for the proper amyl poppers that you actually pop under your nose? something to do with strokes or something innit? anybody know im quite interested? I know it was used as a vasodialator but for what purpose.
But you dont need to be clever to work out that you just drink less, and slowly until you can see how its affecting you.
As for poppers, i use them occaisionally, just when im piss bored and ive never had anything bad happen other than a headache.
However, this may be a very personal thing for a number of reasons. There is documented evidence of some people receiving a more pronounced effect from alcohol than would normally be the case, whilst taking SSRI medication.
Also, mood while intoxicated is also recorded to vary in some people, particularly when quite intoxicated and often with unfavourable results.
The best thing in terms of both your medication and whatever concern caused you to be scripted this, would be to refrain from drinking to excess, which means not exceeeding your four units a day (2 pints of Carling-type lager or 2 25ml shots of 40% spirit). These guidelines also prescribe 2 alcohol free days during the week.
As long as you dont drink to get drunk you shouldnt encounter much of a problem, but ALWAYS consult your GP to make sure this is the right course of action for your particular health issue.
Alcohol is not called a depressant because it has any change on your mood, it is called that because of its effect on the CNS.