If I take Prozac does it mean that i cannot drink at all or just not too much?
147231
I still drank on prozac, zoloft, paxil, and wellbutrin (different times) Women smoke on birth control pills. same thing. are you willing to take the risk? Alcohol isn't good for you anyway, probably best not to drink at all.
895778
Yep - I've got it too.\n\nI used to take Effexor, but it killed my libido and the withdrawal effects are super-awful (I now kind of understand drug addiction - vomiting, dizziness, the whole she-bang) I took a lot, though, 150mg so that didn't help.  The med helped the anxiety a ton, though. So much that I thought I was better and decided to wean myself (bad idea - don't do it - you will be sorry 3 months later and have to spend another 3 months getting something new into your system)\n\nI am now starting Prozac.  So far the only bad side effect is I can't take it before bed or I don't sleep well.  It is too soon to tell if it is working - so it isn't helping much yet.  Hopefully soon.  \n\nGood luck.  Go to a psychiatrist - they can prescribe meds and have much more background than a family physician so they will have experience with lots of meds.
993606
Although every doctor and medication label in the world of mental illness screams DON'T DO IT.. here's my experience..\nI am bipolar.. take seroquel and lamictal.. have finally been stable for a couple years after many trials with different medications.. \nI very rarely drink.. but have had 3 or 4 beers in the evening a few times.. maybe sitting out on the back deck to relax a little on the weekend or whatever.. nothing like before my diagnosis and drinking myself into a relative coma as an ill-mannered attempt at self-medicating this affliction.. \nI had no problems with it at all.. I never drank more than 4 beers.. and waited a couple extra hours before taking my meds at night.. long enough for the body to process the alcohol.. \nbe smart about it.. plan the dinner/drink early in the evening and take the meds as prescribed.\nOr postpone the meds until after the alcohol has been metabolized. \nIt is definitely not advisible to combine them. \nIf you have any doubts about how this would affect you .. use common sense and don't even try it. I am sure the warnings are there for a reason..
1175463
I think you better get yourself to the Mental Health ER, if your area has one, of just the regular ER if it doesn't.  That isn't a side effect that I have heard of from Prozac.  Either way, you should NOT stop those kinds of meds cold turkey EVER as that can cause you worse problems.  \n\nSo, get offline--Call 911 right now and tell them you think you might be having a med reaction to the Prozac, as you are having these symptoms.  You need to go now--gl.  Our thoughts are with you.
836311
Prozac stays in your system for a long time, and if I remember correctly, it hits peak levels in your blood at about 6-8 hours after dosing. What that means is if you took some at noon, the levels of Prozac in your system will be highest between about 6 to 8 p.m. If that's the case, I would strongly advise you to not drink alcohol, or if you absolutely must, to limit yourself to one drink only, and then stick to soda afterwards.\n\nI take anti-depressants, and I called my uncle, who is a pharmacist and really knows about all this stuff, several years ago on New Year's Eve to find out if I could drink. He said it's safer to have the alcohol BEFORE the medication, and then wait 'til the last possible time to take the medication, so when I drink, that's what I do. He also said I shouldn't have more than two drinks if I was drinking liquor. The reason he gave me that advice was because the liquor would be mostly out of my system before the drug was at peak level in my system. Here, you have a reversed situation, so I think you need to be very, very careful.\n\nGood luck!
556758
This is the reason you aren't supposed to take it for more than few months at a time. It is a temporary fix. I used to take it and I can tell you it sucked coming off of it. I was on the lowest dose before i quit it too. It helped me alot between starting a new anti anxiety drug (effexor) and waiting for it to kick in which takes up to a month. Xanax changes you. it makes you numb to the good and bad of life. I use it to get past days I know i couldn't do on my own. However I try my best not to take it except in emergencies. You should talk to your doctor about how to best come off of it and possibly substitute it with an SSRI or similar drug that isn't addictive.
624155
Effexor is an anti-depressant , part of the Venlafaxines. It stimulates the central nervous system and precribed for depressive illness. \n\nI would urge you to be cautious with alcohol as anti-depressants do not mix well with drinks. My recommendation would be to avoid alcohol during the course of the treatment and maybe join in the celebrations with a non alcoholic wine or beer? If you feel unable to do that then limit your drinking to a glass of wine with your meal but stay clear or spirits.\n\nAnd always remember, different drugs, do different things, to different people!!!
211883
No, actually it was the other way around. I lost some weight while having it because it reduced my hunger and made me very thirsty so I was drinking water all the time. \n\nI agree with the second answerer; I dont think Prozac is the reason of your weight gain.\n\nAnd for the first answerer, Prozac is not a weight gain or weight loss product, its an antidepressive.
115227
You are starting on a never-ending-circle. You panic, you drink, since alcohol is a "downer" you buzz, but then you come down, get depressed, then panic about getting depressed or because you drank. Do you see where I'm headed? I've been there-done that. Please seek anxiety medication from a licensed medical professonal.
277547
Why is this drug prescribed?\nReturn to top\n\nProzac is prescribed for the treatment of depression--that is, a continuing depression that interferes with daily functioning. The symptoms of major depression often include changes in appetite, sleep habits, and mind/body coordination; decreased sex drive; increased fatigue; feelings of guilt or worthlessness; difficulty concentrating; slowed thinking; and suicidal thoughts. \n\nProzac is also prescribed to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. An obsession is a thought that won't go away; a compulsion is an action done over and over to relieve anxiety. The drug is also used in the treatment of bulimia (binge-eating followed by deliberate vomiting). It has also been used to treat other eating disorders and obesity. \n\nIn addition, Prozac is used to treat panic disorder, including panic associated with agoraphobia (a severe fear of being in crowds or public places). People with panic disorder usually suffer from panic attacks--feelings of intense fear that develop suddenly, often for no reason. Various symptoms occur during the attacks, including a rapid or pounding heartbeat, chest pain, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath. \n\nIn children and adolescents, Prozac is used to treat major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. \n\nUnder the brand name Sarafem, the active ingredient in Prozac is also prescribed for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), formerly known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Symptoms of PMDD include mood problems such as anxiety, depression, irritability or persistent anger, mood swings, and tension. Physical problems that accompany PMDD include bloating, breast tenderness, headache, and joint and muscle pain. Symptoms typically begin 1 to 2 weeks before a woman's menstrual period and are severe enough to interfere with day-to-day activities and relationships. \n\nProzac is a member of the family of drugs called "selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors." Serotonin is one of the chemical messengers believed to govern moods. Ordinarily, it is quickly reabsorbed after its release at the junctures between nerves. Re-uptake inhibitors such as Prozac slow this process, thereby boosting the levels of serotonin available in the brain. \n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nMost important fact about this drug\nReturn to top\n\nSerious, sometimes fatal, reactions have been known to occur when Prozac is used in combination with other antidepressant drugs known as MAO inhibitors, including Nardil and Parnate; and when Prozac is discontinued and an MAO inhibitor is started. Never take Prozac with one of these drugs or within at least 14 days of discontinuing therapy with one of them; and allow 5 weeks or more between stopping Prozac and starting an MAO inhibitor. Be especially cautious if you have been taking Prozac in high doses or for a long time. \n\nIf you are taking any prescription or nonprescription drugs, notify your doctor before taking Prozac. \n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nHow should you take this medication?\nReturn to top\n\nProzac should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. \n\nProzac usually is taken once or twice a day. To be effective, it should be taken regularly. Make a habit of taking it at the same time you do some other daily activity. \n\nIt may be 4 weeks before you feel any relief from your depression, but the drug's effects should last about 9 months after a 3-month treatment regimen. For obsessive-compulsive disorder, the full effect may take 5 weeks to appear. \n\n--If you miss a dose...\n\nTake the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. If several hours have passed, skip the dose. Never try to "catch up" by doubling the dose. \n\n--Storage instructions...\n\nStore at room temperature. \n\n\n---------------------------------------------------------------------
1046835
Did you drink any alcohol? You aren't supposed to drink and take meds.
115427
I TOOK IT ALONG WITH PROZAC. I COULD'NT SLEEP, FELT NERVOUS, GAINED WEIGHT AND COULDN'T STOP SHAKING. I WOULD TELL YOUR DR YOU CAN'T SLEEP AND IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH HIS ANSWERS OR HELP FIND ANOTHER DR.
279610
How much are you drinking alone?  If your drinking until your passing out each night, get some help right away.  It means you have a drinking problem.  Alcohol is a depressant so if your drinking because your depressed, then you're not helping yourself at all. Either way, please seek counseling asap.
452618
There is nothing wrong with getting help when you feel overwhelmed or depressed. People think when they reach out to a doctor or to therapy that they are weak. It's quite the opposite. Even the strongest of persons need to take a breather from time to time to decompress and get emotionally healthy. \nThere isn't any evidence that suggests just because you may battle depression now that you will later in life. However, I would deal with this issue now, and not wait any longer or you may have problems with depression later in life.  It can greatly depend on where you are in life, what's going on, has there been a death, are you doing poorly in school. All sorts of things can contribute to depression. \nNow to the other question as to whether or not anti-depressants are addictive or not. Physical addiction to prescription antidepressant medications is not possible.  For one thing, today's SSRI anti-depressants are non-addictive in the sense that users do not experience physical cravings for them, nor can you overdose on them (well not very easily anyway). Thus they cannot be considered addictive in that sense, although they might be considered addictive in more subtle ways. By that I mean, you don't want to come off of them because you are afraid you will sink back into depression. HOWEVER, that being said anti-depressants may precipitate hypomanic or manic states. In these states, patients can have mood lability, irritability, and frank psychotic symptoms. In order to better understand all of this mumbo jumbo, go to your doctor and talk with him about what is safe for you to take, and the risks, pros and cons. He is better qualified to prescribe you something that won't hurt nor harm you. You will be glad you did! Good Luck to you!
589984
I am on Effexor and am in the process of coming off of it.  I was on 300mg, now am on 225mg.  So far I really haven't noticed any debilitating symptoms, and I feel like I have more energy.  Not too much dizziness, which is good.  I do experience the 'shocks' but not much.\n\nI've been told that the last small doses are the hardest to get off of -- when you get down to 37.5mg.  I'm not looking forward to it, but my psychiatrist tells me that most people actually do not experience severe symptoms like people complain of on the internet.  And if you are having a hard time and your doctor offers you a small dose of Prozac to relieve your symptoms, take it!  It won't be hard to get off of like Effexor, and it really will help with your withdrawal symptoms.  At least give it a try.\n\nGood luck!
856023
whoa!!\nare you okay?\nbut yes I believe I will be on prozac soon,\nwhat should I expect?
542243
Prozac is a good antidepressant.  It does have a number of side effects that can be annoying.  Things like dry mouth, difficulty climaxing, constipation, and difficulty sleeping are common.  I found that they were side effects I could live with since it helped the depression so much.  I did feel better when my doc also added Wellbutin.  The two worked well together and I had a lot more energy.