Posted by luckday on February 27, 2006, at 13:11:56
In reply to Re: effexor XR interactions with alcohol, posted by bangersgirl on February 23, 2006, at 17:54:34
> > One more question, I have read lots of information on effexor and everything seems to state: Avoid Alcohol, with no further explanation.
> >
> > Does anyone have experiences to share about this?
> >
> > I going out occassionally and will have a few drinks with friends, or going out to dinner, etc.
> > I wanted some insight on what AVOID alcohol actually MEANS....
> >
> > Is it that the drug increases the effects of the alcohol, you could get very sick, what?
> >
> > Any help/thoughts would be appreciated. I am going out this weekend with some friends to a local bar/restaurant and would like to know what to expect...
>
> The way I understand it from my doctor is, you are taking Effexor due to depression...alcohol is a depressant..if you are already depressed, why would you take depressants to bring you further down when the effexor is trying to help you to stay up? Therefore AVOID alcohol(depressant) so your Effexor (ANTI-depressant) can do it's job!!!
> Make any sense??
>Makes sense to me. Alcohol is definitely a depressant. Fortunately, Effexor seemed to take away the effects of alcohol and I just felt numb and then tired so stopped after one drink. I can take a glass of wine but no more. I definitely do not want to depress my system ever again and experience the terrible side effects of not wanting to get out of bed. I am taking 75 mg. per day and having a good, normal life with no depression. I have my bad days and spoke to my doctor who said I have a low dose so I can funtion and not be a zombie. I started on a higher dose but 75 mg. is maintenance and I am happy. Effexor gives me time to think before I do something impulsive and I know alcohol is a depressant so have left it alone. Wish I could say the same for cigarettes. I do have a problem however. When something happens that upsets me instead of reacting I get very tired. Is this Effexor's way of calming me down so I don't do anything rash? After a sleep I see things differently.
poster:luckday
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060227/msgs/613773.html