Can I drink alcohol while taking Celexa?

Question

I take 20mg a day for anxiety. Can I drink alcohol on it?

Answer 1

No, You must not drink alcohol when You are taking the medication " Celexa " ( medically known as " Citalopram Hydrobromide ") . Alcohol is very interactive with this medication. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and impairment of judgement, thinking, and psychomotor skills. You are also strongly advised not to drive or operate heavy machinery when taking Celexa.

Overall, no alcohol should be consumed with any kind of medicine.

Good Luck !

Answer 2

I must disagree. Alcohol does not reduce the effect of all medications, only a very few, and in these cases it is clearly advised against drinking in the information leaflet and usually the label too.

The problem with mixing alcohol and celexa is that it can make you feel very tired, drowsy; even moody.  Some people find they can drink very small amount (ie the odd glass of beer or wine) without problems but going out and drinking is definately not recommended.

Answer 3

ALCOHOL reduces the effect of any medication

Answer 4

Yes-you can.  This is a bad choice for every day use though, especially if you're young...alcohol basically destroys the effects of anti-depressants--more than ANY other drug! (even if used for anxiety-though benzos like xanax and klonopin (strictly for anxiety, but minorly addictive) are potentiated by alcohol consumption).  Celexa is the most selective SSRI-next to paroxetine (Paxil) (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor) and can therefore be a hit or miss type of drug, depending on the person's diverse neuronal chemistry and 'needs'.  It barely effects norepinephrine and to a lesser extent, dopamine.  Effexor hits NE and DA at high doses, and Cymbalta is simply the best on the market-hits all those 3 neurotransmitters.  Perhaps you should switch; maybe a more advanced SSRI or SSNRI would decrease your desire to drink.

But if you do, I'd suggest only on the weekends...and in relatively small amounts.  The combination does not always cause more 'depression' nor more 'cognitive and motor impairment'.  Alcohol can actually have the paradoxical effect-inducing a manic or hypomanic state...as short-lived as it may be.

But if Celexa is working well, I strongly suggest switching to its direct chemical 'cousin', more like derivative; a purified verison...Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate)...more bang for the buck, more potent, less side-effects, and less mg dose required.  Hope this helps.