Celexa and alcohol

[celexite in Toronto]

Has anyone else found that Celexa virtually eliminates hangovers, even after very heavy drinking? I can put away about 20 ounces of hard liquor per day, every day, with few ill effects. I only feel a bit tired and moderately thirsty the next day. Sometimes I'll get mild nausea which goes away with 1 Gravol.

Before Celexa I would get wicked hangovers with headaches, vomiting, severe nausea and diarrhea even after 5-6 drinks. I've been taking 40 mg/day for over one year with no significant ill effects from the Celexa or the alcohol.

Not that I'm promoting Celexa as an anti-hangover remedy or as a wonder drug for alcoholics, but I'm just wondering if this should be brought up as a possible "adverse/side effect" so that anyone prone to problem drinking might need to take a different anti-depressant or be aware of the pitfalls of drinking while using Celexa before they end up like me. They only tell you not to drink while taking Celexa because you can get more drowsy.

[somewhere in us]

same here!

[Dee]

I totally had a opposite reaction with the drug. I am a heavy drinker and two weekends ago I was so sick for 2 days from this med from drinking. Sicker then I have ever been. It may be that I had only been taking it for a week...and had every side effect I have read with the drug. I ended up going off it almost two weeks into it because I couldn't take the side effects and function in day to day life.

[shari]

OMG, I've had the opposite. I can't drink more than say two glasses of wine. Last night had had 2 1/2 and today I feel like I drank two bottles. Nausea, headache, just awful.

[Amy D]

Doctors were thinking about using it as an anti alcohol drug but studies found that some people had opposite affects. It depends on the person.

I don't go out of my way to drink like i used to.
i would drink a bottle of wine.
now i won't even go over a glass or two.

and i feel fine the next day too.

[celexite in Toronto]

Just as a follow up, I've recently reduced my dosage of Celexa from 40 mg/day to 20 mg/day. I've found that on the lower dosage of Celexa, my drinking has gone down substantially. Not that I had any great "craving" on 40 mg, but now I don't seem to be "in the mood" to drink as much as I used to.

However I am also taking 300 mg/day of Wellbutrin, and rapidly starting or stopping drinking alcohol can cause seizures...so I guess I have to maintain a minimum number of "happy hours" per week LOL!

[celexite in Toronto]

P.S. don't know why it says I'm in Mimico, Canada but I am in Toronto, Ontario and I did make the first post under this thread.

[ih8celexa]

I had a couple beers one night, ended up blacking out for 2 hours. falling down a long flight of stairs, and did substantial damage to my back and arm. I could barely walk or use my arm. DO NOT DRINK ON CELEXA!! NO RECREATIONAL DRUGS EITHER!!!

[ih8celexa]

I had a couple beers one night, ended up blacking out for 2 hours. falling down a long flight of stairs, and did substantial damage to my back and arm. I could barely walk or use my arm. DO NOT DRINK ON CELEXA!! NO RECREATIONAL DRUGS EITHER!!!

[Tara]

celexa takes away any urge I used to have to drinkand I think I liked to drink because at the moment it made my anxiety go away. Celexa takes away my anxiety so I dont need anything else. I have been on it for two months only 10 mgand most side effects are gone. There was one time I had afew drinks and it made me more aggresive than I would normally be. I wouldnt attempt any more than two drinks on it.

[Kelly in Kentucky]

I've been on 10mg Lexapro for about a month and a half now and no side effects. I was worried about drinking and getting sick but none of that. I think I might actually be able to drink more than ever (not that that's a good thing.) And since you all have been mentioning it, I really do think my hangovers aren't as bad. I guess we'll find out Sunday morning...

[Mike in NY]

I have been able to drink like a fish while taking celexa I've been on it for about 9 months I do notice if I drink heavy my symptoms of anxiety worsen for a day or two until the meds regain thier strength I dont know if this is what really happens but it sure seems this way. I also was on Paxil for about a year and had a simular experiance. Good luck to all!

[Bangalee]

I'm with you Mike...I can still drink like a sailor even though I'm on 30 mg/day of Celexa and 300 mg/day of Wellbutrin, plus a blood pressure pill. Not that I'm doing the smartest thing in the world, but so far I can drink as much as I want without no ill effects and no hangover. I just feel very thirsty the next morning (ironic, huh? The more I drink the thirstier I feel). Apparently alcohol and Wellbutrin increases the danger of having seizures, but I haven't had the slightest inkling of any negative interactions between the booze and my meds.

I can put down 20 ounces of hard liquor every evening, 6 or 7 days a week, and still get out of bed the next morning as if nothing happened and go to work. I've been drinking pretty regularly since the end of 2004 and my blood tests are still coming out fine.

Don't get the idea that Celexa is a wonder drug that can let you drink without consequence: those 20 ounces only give me a moderate buzz (like 3-4 ounces used to give me) at a cost of over $100 per week - yes, per WEEK!!

[some where in us]

Bangalee is right be careful. I have developed a drinking problem due to crelexa, be careful.

[Joel]

I'm taking 20 mg a day and been on Celexa for 7 weeks. The drug has been a wonder. I've been exercising more, lost 20 lbs.(6 week body-make over diet) and I no-longer have a hair-trigger (temper or otherwise) which is greatly appreciated by my wife.

I have a great love of wine but I've found that even a glass or two gives me an immediate headache and even the highly rated stuff just doesn't taste as good. I'm glad to see that this isn't a unique problem. Now what do I do with all that 2 buck chuck?

[Celexa Alcohol Junkie]

It was only last week that I was taken off Celexa after being on 60mg per day for 6 years. My alcohol abuse that I hid from almost everyone (been sober 18 weeks now) caused Celexa to work in the opposite direction of what it was supposed to do for me. I confused everyone for a long time. I now have a Psychiatrist trying to figure out what irreversible damage I have done to my body. The worse thing for me right now is a high level of sexual drive with practically no performance. Coming off Celexa has caused increased anxiety and light headedness. And, I am finding that my short-term memory is really failing me. Times are tough but I feel really good being off everything. It could be that I never should have taken Celexa had the doctor known I was an alcohol abuser!

[Sandifer]

I just started taking Celexa one week ago, now I'm taking 40mg per day. My xmas party for work is coming, and of course many others in the very near future.. I want to have a drink of wine or two, but am worried about feeling more depressed.. any comments? advise?

[Meerkat]

As long as you REALLY stick to having 2 (TWO) glasses (not bottles) of wine, you'll be fine. Otherwise, the wine will turn into a fine whine.
At least that is my own (not so poetic) experience The last time I had a 'mental' hangover depression this way, caused me to abstain from any alcohol for a significant amount of time.
Besides that, it might not be unwise to assess whether attending to the xmass party itself is or is not a cause in itself for depression.
Keep your options open. I did and since I could not possibly parttake in the imbibing induced merryment, I decided not to attend and instead had my two glasses of wine in the hot-tub together with Mrs. Meerkat. A good time was had by all.

[Sandifer]

:) I can only imagine.. I am new here at work, and its a perfect time to socialize, and get to know my co-workers and upper mgmt. I Love parties, usually I'm drinking though.. I can stick with 2 glasses.. today I started 40mg, and I feel fine, better than when i first started, however, I've been feeling a bit depressed.. i know I can wait a few more weeks.. I'm patient.. thanks for replying... I was worried I'd get extremely depressed, in front of co-workers.. it can be tough.

[Meerkat]

It looks like you already made your assessment and decision. That's good,I guess and I hope you're getting through nicely. I agree that in a new job these parties are important and an excellent opportunity to get your social bearings.
Look at it this way; even if you get down due to increased intake, at least you know where it is coming from. I found that knowing exactly that, instead of the uncertainty of not knowing what caused my anxiety and depression, makes it a lot easier to deal with it. Hint: If you expect to get 'loaded','plastered' or otherwise out-of-sorts due to a nip or two more, write it on the bathroom mirror with dry eraser (or lipstick if you must) before you leave for the party, just to remind yourself the next time you wake up. It helps!
Have fun and have a great Holiday season!