Fluoxetine and Alcohol
What is Fluoxetine?
To understand the dangers of combining Fluoxetine and alcohol, it’s important to know what Fluoxetine is and how it affects the body.
Antidepressants like Fluoxetine are classified as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
include:
- Prozac (Fluoxetine)
- Celexa (Citalopram)
- Lexapro (Escitalopram)
- Paxil (Paroxetine)
- Zoloft (Sertraline)
The three forms of Fluoxetine are pill, capsule, or liquid. Doctors prescribe this drug abundantly making it one of the most widely prescribed medications in the United States.
Generally, these drugs are safe with fewer side effects than other drugs in this class. However, using Fluoxetine and alcohol together can cause serious side effects. Also, it’s best to advise your physician of other medications you’re taking to avoid unpleasant or dangerous interactions known as serotonin syndrome.
What Does Fluoxetine Treat?
Fluoxetine treats major depressive disorder, OCD, panic disorders, and bulimia nervosa. Doctors prescribe it along with other medications such as Zyprexa to treat manic depression caused by bipolar disorder.
Fluoxetine works by inhibiting serotonin uptake by neurons in the brain. The human body secretes natural serotonin primarily in the stomach and intestines. Serotonin controls emotions, motor skills, sleeping, eating, blood clotting, bone health, sexual function, digestion, and is a natural mood stabilizer.
When serotonin levels are normalized with Fluoxetine, the user is calm, focused, happy, and emotionally stable.
Side Effects of Fluoxetine
Combining Fluoxetine and alcohol or other substances can cause a series of adverse reactions. In some cases, the side effects can be life-threatening. Some young people have suicidal thoughts when first taking antidepressants.
- Allergic reactions such as hives, skin pain, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, or throat.
- Flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, burning eyes.
- Mood or behavior changes such as irritability, agitation, hostility, aggression, hyperactivity, panic attacks, trouble sleeping.
- Vision problems such as blurred vision, eye pain or swelling, seeing halos around lights, tunnel vision.
- Heart problems such as rapid pounding heartbeats, shortness of breath, fluttering sensation in the chest, sudden dizziness.
- Low sodium levels can cause weakness, confusion, headache, slurred speech, poor coordination, vomiting.
- Nervous system reactions such as tremors, feeling faint, stiff muscles, sweating, uneven heart rate, and fever.
- Serotonin syndrome symptoms such as twitching, shivering, fever, sweating, stiff muscles, digestive system distress, hallucinations, agitation, and poor coordination.
- Strange dreams, sleep problems
- Dry mouth, hot flashes, sweating
- Weight changes, poor appetite
- Sinus problems, sore throat, flu-like symptoms
- Sexual dysfunction
- Fatigue
Call a doctor right away if you experience serotonin syndrome symptoms. If you use Fluoxetine and alcohol together, these side effects can be intensified.
Is Fluoxetine Addictive?
Withdrawal Symptoms
Stopping Fluoxetine (Prozac) abruptly is dangerous for several reasons. The best way to stop using the drug is to work with your physician to establish a gradual weaning or tapering process.
- Nausea, vomiting
- Nightmares, sleep problems
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Prickling, tingling sensation on the skin
- Return of depression symptoms
- Suicidal thoughts
- Motor control issues
- Flu-like symptoms
- Mood swings
These symptoms can range from annoying to incapacitating. If suicidal ideations begin, seek medical advice right away.
Withdrawal symptoms of Fluoxetine discontinuance may begin when the drug is about 90% eliminated from the body. This process can take up to 25 days. After the symptoms begin, they can last about two months.
Risks of Combining Fluoxetine and Alcohol
Typically, doctors advise against combining Fluoxetine and alcohol. However, many people ignore this warning when they want to take a drink on a special occasion. But, no matter how much or how little you drink, alcohol can cause adverse reactions when combined with Fluoxetine.
- Impaired judgment
- Decreased motor skills
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Problems with vision or hearing
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Fatigue and weakness
- Dizziness, headaches
- Suicidal thoughts
The antidepressant features of Fluoxetine will not make you immune to the depressive effects of alcohol. Also, alcohol can keep Fluoxetine from working the way it should. In other words, alcohol prevents Fluoxetine from working to its full effect and can make your depression symptoms worse.
It’s important to note that you should never stop taking Fluoxetine just so you can drink alcohol. Since it takes the drug about 25 days to leave your system, you may still have dangerous side effects when drinking alcohol during that time frame. Furthermore, it won’t help to wait several hours after taking your medication before drinking any alcohol because Fluoxetine is a medication that stays in your body for a long time.
Getting Help for Fluoxetine and Alcohol Use
If you are having trouble controlling your Fluoxetine and alcohol use, contact us at A Forever Recovery today. Our comprehensive, evidence-based programs can help you take back control of your life.
- webmd.com – Fluoxetine HCL
- nami.org – Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- verywellmind.com – How Long Does Withdrawal from Prozac Last?