Can you drink alcohol on zyprexa and effexor medication for bipolar?

Question

just started on bipolar meds and still drink around 4 beers a night and have been smoking more cigs why is this? and also is it okay to skip my doctors appointment its been 2 weeks now since i started on the medication and have had no follow up

Answer 1

It is important to try to gain insight into your illness, this is a common pitfall for those with bipolar.  Alcohol is a depressant, and is contraindicated to these meds.  Suggest keeping your appointments, being med compliant (even if you feel well), not drinking, and finding a support group for the best outcome

Answer 2

For more info about bipolar disorder see http://www.identifybipolardisorder.com

Answer 3

comom sence could answer that question, but you probably would not do what anyone tells you anyway.

Answer 4

its not recommended

Answer 5

Please go see your doctor and tell him about the drinking.  It is very possible that what you are doing is self-medicating.  

Self-medication is extremely common among people with bipolar disorder, and other disorders.  Before we are stable on meds, the only way we know how to cope with our symptoms is to use alcohol and/or drugs.

Zyprexa works on your central nervous system, and it's really not a good idea to mix alcohol with it or any psychotropic drug for that matter.  However, please continue to take your meds as directed.

You may have what's known as a duel diagnosis if you are consistently drinking 4 beers a night.  A duel diagnosis is someone who has a drug or alcohol problem along with a psychiatric disorder.  

I urge you to be really honest with yourself and your doctor.  There is hope for stability.  Usually people with bipolar disorder need a combination of psychiatric care and therapy to cope with the disorder and the problems, like self-medication, that go along with it.

I am  well versed in this myself as I drank heavily for years to alleviate my symptoms.  However, for the most part it only made them worse.  I am now on a combination of meds that has brought me relative stability and normality to my life.    

Answer 6

Do not skip your doctor's appointments. Four beers can always effect medications.  According the its warning label, "Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of olanzapine." This information can be found at: http://health.yahoo.com/other-other/olan...

Answer 7

You are crazy enough,you don't need to drink too.

Answer 8

It took me many years to realize that you cannot drink and be stable on your meds.Do make your appointments if you can.