Prozac and Alcohol: Dangers of Drinking While Using Antidepressants

If you or someone you care about has constant feelings of unexplained sadness that do not seem to go away, do not disregard this or ignore it. You may be suffering from clinical depression. While feelings of depression may be normal for people who have just suffered a loss, such as the death of someone special to them, clinical depression is different. This is a mental condition. Many people do not understand that it doesn’t just “go away”. Another relevant mental condition is anxiety. Like depression, a person who suffers from anxiety cannot just tell themselves not to feel anxious; they cannot calm their nerves at will. 

The silver lining is that there are certain medications that can help with these conditions. These medications can help people who suffer from these issues have lives that are relatively normal, as long as they take the medications as prescribed. These medications fall under the classification of antidepressants. This article will shed light on how these medicines work, and how they should be used.

Mixing Prozac and Alcohol

One of the risks of taking Prozac is connected with drinking alcohol. While it is completely normal and acceptable to drink occasionally, especially during times of celebration. However, if you are on this type of medication, it will be a better option to avoid consuming alcohol altogether. 

The reason behind this advice boils down to the effects that alcohol and Prozac have on the human body system. Both of them can slow down motor skills, and one of the main effects that Prozac gives patients who take it is the feeling of calmness. Alcohol can have similar effects on a person. It can inhibit the senses, slow down response time, and make a person feel drowsy. Imagine if two substances that have similar effects are ingested at the same time. It will cause extreme drowsiness and sleepiness in the person, which may lead to potentially dangerous situations. The combination of alcohol and Prozac can lead to impaired thinking, poor decision-making, and reckless driving. 

Prozac Side-Effects

Many patients who need to take Prozac to deal with the symptoms of their medical conditions can tolerate taking the drug without any complications. However, that does not mean that these medications do not come with a certain amount of risks and side-effects. Some of the most common side-effects include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, an upset stomach, and trouble getting to sleep

Most of these side-effects are manageable and bearable. Generally, people who need to take Prozac will deal with these side-effects because of their need to take the drug. Since the medication will help them control the more serious effects of their medical condition, they will much rather tolerate the side-effects that come with the medication. 

What Is Prozac?

Prozac is an antidepressant that can be taken to control symptoms of clinical depression and anxiety for the long term. Prozac belongs to a classification of drugs referred to as selective

serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. For most people, these drugs do not present any hazards and can be taken without them feeling any side-effects. 

What Is Prozac Used For?

As long as it is taken within the recommended limits, Prozac may be extremely useful for a person suffering from anxiety and depression. It mainly works to limit the amount of serotonin that gets absorbed into the brain. By regulating this neurotransmitter, the outcome will be a better mood and disposition of the person. 

Side Effects of Prozac
Prozac Dosage

Prozac for Anxiety

When a person will be diagnosed with anxiety disorders, usually, the first line of treatment that will be recommended for these patients is Prozac. Usually, this drug will be used along with psychotherapy to help the patient get over their anxiety disorders. The Prozac will be used to help the person have a more positive mood, making the therapy more effective as a treatment method for the disorders. 

Zoloft Vs Prozac

These two drugs are both branded versions and are considered to be extremely powerful antidepressants. The generic version of Prozac is fluoxetine and on the other hand, Zoloft’s generic version is sertraline hydrochloride. Both types of medication work to balance the chemicals in the brain to improve the mood, increase the appetite, and help the person have a better outlook on life. 

Both drugs work in similar ways, this is why the most effective way to decide which one to take for your symptoms is to consult your doctor. The physician that diagnosed you has extensive knowledge of your medical history and will be able to prescribe the most appropriate medicines that will yield the most desirable results for you. 

Lexapro Vs Prozac

Both of these are medications that are used to help people cope with various types of psychological disorders. Both of these drugs help regulate the amount of serotonin in the brain, leading to improved symptoms of depression. However, despite the similarities of the two, there are also distinct differences.

Although they have similar uses and are both considered to be highly effective when it comes to helping people deal with their symptoms, some doctors recommend one drug over the other depending on the age, type of depressive disorder the person is dealing with, and the overall situation that the person is on before making a decision about which drug to recommend. 

Antidepressants in a Nutshell

Dealing with depression and anxiety is not easy. Along with the challenges of everyday life, there is the added stigma that is connected with mental illnesses. This is why it is crucial to get an official diagnosis and treatment for your mental issues. When it comes to choosing the type of medications you are going to take, it is wise to discuss this with your doctor. Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a perfect type of medicine. All drugs will come with certain side-effects and risks. You will also have to be aware of what you need to avoid in order to make sure that the medications will work as planned. 

Avoiding alcohol is one thing you need to adhere to when you start taking antidepressant medications. In a nutshell, it is unwise to drink alcohol when you are taking any type of medication, but it is even more vital to avoid it when you are prescribed antidepressants. Also, talking to your physician about the possible risks of addiction will be useful. Addiction is a problem that is all too real, and your doctors will be able to help you avoid having to deal with this problem by helping you know how to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Conclusion

We hope that this article was able to answer most of the questions on your mind about Prozac, its similar counterparts, and why you should never take antidepressants with alcohol. However, should you still have any questions on your mind, it is best to discuss them with your doctor. Articles like these are great sources for advice, but when it all boils down to it, the best source of information when it comes to medical questions is your doctor, because they know the specifics of your medical history. Seeking medical advice from them will be the most logical and best step on your journey to recovery and getting over your symptoms.

Sources:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a689006.html

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7814825/