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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Violet4EVR on August 5, 2004, at 23:12:20
This discussion concerns the speculation that SSRI (Prozac, Paxil) and SNRI (Effexor, Wellbutrin) medications mix negatively with Alcohol. Many individuals assert that mixing medication with Alochol destroys the effects of the medicine, thus rendering the medication ineffective. For example, if a person is taking Prozac for depression and consumes Alcohol, this person is not only "destroying" the medication, but is at risk of becoming more "depressed," because Alochol is classified as a "depressant."
My concern is that the aforementioned argument may not be accurate. SSRI's and SNRI's are used to increase Serotonin levels (SNRI's raise both Serotonin and Norepinnephrine). It has been suggested and illustrated in medical research, that Alcohol actually INCREASES Serotonin and GABA activity.
Below are several articles that attest to this discovery:"Even Single-Episode exposure alters various aspects of Serotonin's Synaptic functin. In humans for example, the levels of Serotonin in metabolites in the urine and blood increase after a single drinking session, indicating increased Sertonin Releasein the Nervouse System." (http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:UhWbxw4yRXQJ:www.currentseparations.com/issues/18-1/cs18-1d.pdf+Serotonin+and+Alcohol&hl=en
"For example, alcohol enhances the activity of GABA by affecting ion channels that are related to a subpopulation of GABA-A receptor subtype and the action of the excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter glutamate, through inhibition of the NMDA receptor (43,52,55). The net effect of alcohol is to depress activity in the brain producing its characteristic sedating and intoxicating effects. A similar spectrum of effects is seen with barbiturates and benzodiazepines." (http://www.drugscience.org/OTA/OTA_3/OTA_3AL.HTM)
"Alcohol also helps to increase the release of dopamine, by a process that is still poorly understood but that appears to involve curtailing the activity of the enzyme that breaks dopamine down." (http://www.thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/i/i_03/i_03_m/i_03_m_par/i_03_m_par_alcool.html#drogues)
I suppose my question is, how is Alcohol negatively impacting someone taking SSRI's or SNRI's, if Alcohol increases Serotonin Levels (which is the main purpose of SSRI/SNRI's)??
Confused,
Violet
Posted by pellmell on August 7, 2004, at 14:35:23
In reply to SSRI's / SNRI's and Alcohol, posted by Violet4EVR on August 5, 2004, at 23:12:20
Those links look interesting enough that I might actually follow them. :)
In my own experience, drinking hasn't done much either way to affect my depression. Stumbling (caused by alcohol or just my own obliviousness) into positive social situations has. Maybe that's 'cause my depression is somewhat reactive -- meaning that good stuff going on outside my head can sometimes find its way inside.
Anyway, I don't see a reason to avoid moderate social drinking on SSRIs...unless you find your depressive symptoms have a taste for Sam Adams.
-pm
Posted by Violet4EVR on August 8, 2004, at 21:23:58
In reply to Re: SSRI's / SNRI's and Alcohol, posted by pellmell on August 7, 2004, at 14:35:23
Hey There,
Thank you for responding. I myself have encountered similar reactions while drinking on a med.....that is, that my anxiety/depression medication does not seem affeted by acute intoxication. Mild social drinking seems to be okay.
I guess I posted my question/Discussion because so many people here on psychobable strongly feel alcohol destroys SSRIS/SNRI's effectiveness (and who knows, perhaps it does). Although I do not recommend "drinking alcohol" on a Med, I guess I wished to illustrate that those of us who do find ourselves in social drinking situations, may not suffer the "dire consequence" of an ineffective medication (due to alcohol contamination).
Best wishes,
Violet
This is the end of the thread.
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