Prozac and Alcohol
Prozac is one of the most well-known and common brand names of antidepressants on the market today. Alcohol is a common feel-good substance. People drink alcohol to relax, relieve stress, or boost their mood. Since physicians prescribe Prozac mainly for depression, it stands to reason that an individual might wonder if they can use Prozac and alcohol together.
What is Prozac and Why Do Doctors Prescribe It?
Prozac is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The generic name for this drug is fluoxetine. Physicians prescribe this medication for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic attacks. They also may prescribe Prozac for bulimia (an eating disorder) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (a severe form of premenstrual syndrome).
Prozac is produced as a tablet, capsule, liquid, or as a delayed-release long-acting capsule. The capsule comes in dosages of 10mg, 20mg, and 40mg. The delayed-release capsule comes in a strength of 90mg.
- Capsule – 10mg, 20mg, 40mg
- Capsule (delayed-release) – 90mg
- Tablet – 10mg, 20mg, 60mg
- Liquid – 20mg/5mL
It may take up to 4 weeks for a patient to see full results from this medication. However, some results are usually felt within a week or two. Importantly, a patient should never stop this medication abruptly. Doing so can cause unwanted side effects. The patient should consult with their physician before stopping Prozac (fluoxetine).
What are the Side Effects Associated With Using Prozac?
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Increase or decrease in appetite
- Dry mouth
- Insomnia
- Heart palpitations
- Upset stomach and nausea
Some individuals may experience decreased sex drive or impotence, but this is not common. Others may notice nervousness or feelings of anxiety. Most of these symptoms will subside after taking the medication for a while.
Should a Patient Take Prozac During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding?
A woman should not take Prozac during pregnancy. Prozac can cause serious lung problems or heart defects in a newborn. Reports show that the use of Prozac during the third trimester of pregnancy can lead to these adverse effects on the child.
If a person becomes pregnant while taking this medication, they should consult their physician for advice on how to come off of the drug. Also, Prozac does pass into breast milk and can harm a nursing infant.
Combining Prozac and Alcohol
Are there risks involved in combining Prozac and alcohol? If so, what are they? Alcohol affects brain function. It is a depressant. Therefore, combining Prozac and alcohol can be dangerous.
Alcohol can cause problems such as anxiety, depression, trouble thinking, and impaired judgment. Additionally, it can cause vision and hearing problems along with decreased motor skills.
Prozac calms an individual’s mood and can lead to tiredness. Also, this drug can hinder alertness and coordinated movements the same as alcohol.
Combining Prozac and alcohol increases sedation and can cause extreme drowsiness. This can cause an escalated risk of falls and injuries in addition to impaired driving. Mixing these two substances can lead to fatigue and weakness.
Alcohol can interfere with the benefits of Prozac. Even though Prozac is an antidepressant, consuming alcohol along with this drug can cause extreme depression. Taking Prozac and drinking alcohol can make the patient’s symptoms worse than they were before.
Prozac is a long-acting drug. Therefore, it remains in the body’s system. Drinking alcohol at any time while on this medication is dangerous for the user.
Contact A Forever Recovery to Learn More
To learn more about the effects of combining Prozac and alcohol, contact A Forever Recovery. Abuse of these two substances can be dangerous and lead to many serious consequences. If you need help for abuse of these substances (or any other substance of abuse) our team of licensed, professionals can help with your needs.
Contact one of our representatives today to learn about the many different detoxification and treatment programs that we have to offer. They can answer any questions you may have about a treatment program that will fit your or your loved one’s needs.
- fda.gov – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) Information
- webmd.com – PMDD
- nami.org – Fluoxetine (Prozac)