Citalopram and alcohol

[willowman]

Just started (another) course of Citalopram. Been on them for 4 weeks now.
I notice it says to avoid alcohol whilst taking the medication, but I'm sure last time I had the odd tipple with no effects (I think).
I may be on them for about 12 months, now I'm not an alcoholic but I do like the occasional pint or glass of wine.
Has anybody any knowledge of what the effect is of taking alcohol with Citalopram, either from personal experience or professional expertise.
Thanks in advance.

[ChuckFickens]

http://www.nhs.uk/chq...=73&SubCategoryID=103

[NoMercy]

My mother took that for a short while while she was housebound and she still had her daily quota of wine and vodka. Mind you, my mother still had a drink when she was taking Metranidazole...

[rowanwitch]

I found I could manage about half a pint of lager or a glass of wine occasionally with a meal without ill effects anything more than that I felt really heady and had a hangover effect the next day. Probably better to avoid it altogether if you can

[Eve]

I was on them for a long time and can't remember being advised against alcohol so never abstained, not that I drink a lot anyway though.

Didn't have any problems from what I can remember but everyone is different though.

I guess why alcohol shouldn't be drunk at the same time could be a factor to work out what it might affect eg whether it is because it might knock your mental state or a more chemical reason like if it stops them working properly?

[Sqad]

I would not advice drinking alcohol whilst taking Citalopram..............any side effects of the drug will be accentuated.

[LoftyLottie]

I am a long term taker of Citalopram and drink moderately. Same as Jenna (yet again!) I have never had any ill effects. In fact I never have had any side effects from the drug at all. But I don't take Citalopram at the same time as having a drink. However, we are all different so I can't speak for others.

[willowman]

Thanks everybody for your advice.
Chuck - have looked on that site and it says that there is no problem with alcohol and Citalopram.
Sqad - I don't seem to have any side effects from the drug, other than feeling a bit dopey and sleepy (TOH says no change there), and I don't remember having any the last times I took Citalopram.
I went to the pub the other night and just had a couple of shandies, no problem other than yawning for the rest of the evening and a slight hangover feeling the next morning.
I'm sure as the body gets accustomed to the drug things will get better.
Now been taking them for 4 weeks and they have kicked in. I am starting to think logically again instead of being in a constant state of anxiety and terror, it's wonderful.

[LoftyLottie]

So pleased for you willowman. Citalopram have been live savers for me after suffering from acute anxiety for most of my life. The doc says I can stay on them forever!! I am glad you are enjoying life again.

[willowman]

Thanks for your comment Lottie.
Was having a brilliant day yesterday, not thinking at all about the anxiety, but it all went to c**k at 5.30 when one of the causes of my problems (a neighbour) appeared.
I definitely had a relapse for about an hour, which really upset my partner.
Sadly it is my partner who suffers from my ups and downs, especially as she really doesn't understand mental problems (but she is trying to, bless her).
At present we can only take one day at a time, but "we'll get there" - that was our motto when we bought our business at the busiest time of the season and everything was chaos. We did eventually "get there" and create a successful business, and with Citalaprams help I'm sure we'll get through this.
There - at long last I'm starting to look on the positive side. Yippee

[Mamyalynne]

Willowman, I am on thid tablet too albeit a low dose. You will cope as you say because you are maintaining your positive attitude. Don`t let others like the neighbour bring you down, it is they who have the problem not you. Your partner sounds very supportive, good luck.

M ♥

[LoftyLottie]

willowman - I know exactly what it's like. Things knock me back and, believe it or not, we too have an ungoing neighbour problem. We also had death and serious illness in our family too last year as well as other significant problems. I am a confident person but anxiety can reduce me to a wreck, but fortunately I can bounce back and keep fairly level. Mr LL has put up with this for nearly 40 years.

Keep up the good work.
Best wishes xx

[willowman]

Thanks for your encouragement.
I understand that he iis the one with the problem (alcohol and/or other substsnces) but unfortunately his problem affects our lives.
We run a business from home and his mobile home is very close to our pathway, so we live with the dread that customers will be subjected to his loud discussions with his mates (effing this and effing that type conversations), his violent arguments with his girlfriend or his loud techno music. To be fair he will turn his music down if we go round and ask him.
We dare not complain to the authorities because of fear of repercussions from him or his mates which could destroy our business. He has already driven out the neighbours in the next mobile home.
So we have constant anxiety and I just want him out of our lives. The doctor says I have obsessive anxiety neurosis, hence the Citalopram.
I am now seeing things a bit more logically and not having a panic attack every time I think about him, so we're getting there.
Hopefully we can cope until he moves or commits a crime serious enough to be put away
( oh please).

[dizmouk2009]

Just be careful, I was drinking whilst on Citalopram and unfortuanatly I suffered the rare side effect of "suicidal thoughts" and ended up embedding a 5" kitchen knife into my abdomen. Any depressant with an anti depressant is risky. I don't take any anti depressants anymore, I just have a drink until the screaming in my head stops lol.

[willowman]

Very sorry to hear it didn't work for you Dismouk.
I have had occasional suicidal thoughts for ages now but never actually done anything, although the meds are controlling those thoughts now.
Went out for a couple of beers last night with no ill effects. Slept well, no hangover feeling this morning, so maybe I'll be OK.

[Verytee]

I have been taking it since September and I'm a regular weekend drinker. I hit a low point last week and harmed myself after drinking. I've had my dosage increased and avoiding drinking now. I also found awful memory blanks after even a few glasses of wine so drinking on Citalopram can't be good for you.