Citalopram and alcohol

[mommathatwearspink]

I’ve been on Citalopram since November. I’m not a big drinker but have had a few drinks on a couple of occasions since starting the medication. Tonight has been my first night on the town I started feeling really ill after my 3rd drink. I felt awfully sick, my heart was racing and I felt panicky. After two bottles of water I felt a bit better but I still don’t feel good. Has anyone experienced similar?

I didn't drink for several months after starting citalopram, mainly because before starting it I'd stopped drinking completely as it made my anxiety symptoms so much worse worse, but also as I was afraid alcohol would stop the drugs working properly. As my condition improved I found I was able to drink occasionally without problems, though generally I find it does nothing for my mood & hangovers are horrific (in terms of feeling stressed & depressed) so I rarely have more than a couple at a time. I've been taking cit for over ten years now so am totally used to it. Another thing I've found is that if I drink on multiple consecutive days (eg on hols) my anxiety does start to creep back & I sometimes wonder if it's because it interferes with meds, though it could be that I start to over thick & it becomes a self fulfilling prophesy.

You shouldn't drink on any antidepressant. You'll be sick as a dog and it interferes with them ime.

I found a 'normal' amount of alcohol on a night out - that would previously have left me with a bit of a headache the next day - had me throwing up. The two times I did this it was very sudden and without the lead up feeling of having 'had too much'. I agree with PP that it's best to abstain.