Published on 20 June 2023

Can You Drink On Citalopram? - Is It Dangerous?

Citalopram (Celexa) Can-You-Drink-On-Citalopram
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Worldwide, millions of people are suffering from depression-like conditions. It happens for various reasons and can vary for different individuals. Some might affect it genetically; others might affect it due to stress, life problems, trauma, illness, or hormonal changes. 

Different methods are available to treat the condition. Choosing the correct treatment form is necessary, either natural or medicinal. Before that, consulting a doctor for a particular treatment is mandatory. Citalopram drug can be a good source of treating this condition. 

Many people drink alcohol, but is it suitable while having Citalopram-like medicine is what we need to find? Know more in detail below. 

What Is Citalopram?

Citalopram is an antidepressant drug that belongs to Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Citalopram is used for treatments like major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, different mood disorders, and panic attacks. Celexa is termed a brand name. Both medications work similarly, but prices differ between the two. 

Citalopram is an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of depression. Other conditions can be cured by off-label use. If you are taking this without the prescription, severe effects are possible to affect your body. You must have a prescription to buy Citalopram as it is a prescription-based drug. Doctors mostly recommend Citalopram at night for better sleep.

How Does Citalopram Work?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a drug class Citalopram belongs to, also called antidepressants. Medicines that belong to this drug class work the same. 

The working pattern of Citalopram in the brain is to increase the serotonin levels in people who lose serotonin in the brain due to various factors such as health conditions, genetics, or any side effects. It improves serotonin processing in the brain, stabilizing the mood and showing promising results in your body.

Can You Drink Alcohol On Citalopram?

No, you should not drink while on citalopram medication. This will harm your health severely. There are instances where you cannot tolerate its effects on your body. 

If you take citalopram medicine while drinking, it can show various effects, like that includes dizziness, serotonin syndrome, or dizziness. When these effects peak, you may suffer from overdose or even cause death.

A small research was conducted, including teenagers and young adults. They were given Citalopram, and the symptoms showed suicidal thoughts and behavioral change. If a person takes Citalopram with Alcohol, they might suffer the worst feelings. 

How Long After Taking Citalopram Can You Drink?

The very most thing a doctor will prescribe you is not to have alcohol while you are on Antidepressant Citalopram. The FDA warns it because you may feel different after being on Citalopram and Alcohol. It is recommended not to take them both if you need to concentrate on any work or use heavy machinery. 

Always get a clear recommendation from your doctor about the consumption of Alcohol and Citalopram. If you still want to consume, wait until the alcohol and Citalopram effects are on to the lowest. It will take 24 hours for the effects to be at their lowest.

Why Do People Mix Alcohol And Citalopram?

When a person is in depression, they tend to consume more alcohol to control their emotional feelings. After consumption, people get calming effects. But if they add medication, it can worsen the body’s situation. 

Some people also try to medicate themselves by taking medication and adding alcohol, which is unsuitable for treating Mental health conditions. This option could harm the body. Few take Citalopram and Alcohol because they are not aware of the consequences that they may feel.

Serotonin Syndrome While On Citalopram And Alcohol

This condition is one of the most sufferings if Citalopram and Alcohol are mixed. They may suffer from various symptoms, such as:

  • Hallucinations
  • Agitation
  • Shakiness
  • Rapid Heart rate
  • Nausea
  • Sweating.

Serotonin Syndrome is also life-threatening. It is one of the most severe symptoms a person could go through. If both consumptions are uncontrolled, it starts to develop every day. It can also affect the way medicine works. 

Possible Side Effects Of Citalopram

It is quite common that Citalopram shows side effects. But it is not sure that side effects could affect everyone. They are classified into two types Common and Severe effects. Get instant help if you suffer severe side effects, whereas the common side effects can be solved with time.

Common Side Effects

Severe Side Effects

Sweating

Nose bleeding

Insomnia

Blurred vision

fatigue

Severe headache

Digestive system problems

Suicidal thoughts 

Muscle aches

Heart palpitations

Change in appetite

Worse depression 

These are a few Citalopram side effects. If alcohol is mixed with the drug, these side effects can worsen your body. For recovery, you should compulsorily consult a doctor.

What If You Stop Taking Citalopram Suddenly?

Never stop taking Citalopram abruptly. The medicine can potentially cause any person to suffer withdrawal symptoms, harming the human body.

Whenever you and your doctor have decided to stop the medication for your condition, it is recommended to lower the medication consumption instead of cutting off the drug abruptly. 

Withdrawal symptoms that can affect a person:

  • Sensory Disturbances
  • Reoccurring depression and Anxiety
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Sleep disorders
  • Electric shock sensations.

If you observe any symptoms, consult your doctor immediately for curing. If you delay, it can cause severe effects on your body.

Warnings And Precautions

You require preventive measures to be followed for side effects not to affect you. Talk to your medical practitioner about your medical history and get proper guidance before taking Citalopram.

Do not take Citalopram if:

  • You are allergic to the drug
  • You are consuming other medicines that interact with Citalopram
  • You consume alcohol 
  • You consume herbal supplements
  • You are pregnant
  • You are breastfeeding

Inform the doctor about the meals you take so that meals do not interact with CItalopram. 
You might also be informed about any medicine change if you take any medicine or food that interacts with Citalopram.

Citalopram Drug Interactions

Citalopram has certain medicines that it can interact with. It will help if you know which medicine is suitable and which is not.

Medicines that may interact with Citalopram are as follows:

  • Fluoxetine
  • Celecoxib
  • Amitriptyline
  • Fluconazole
  • Escitalopram
  • Linezolid
  • Desvenlafaxine

These are a few of the medicines that interact with Citalopram. If you take any other drugs, your doctor will suggest whether the drug will be good for your body.

Also, Read

Bottom Line From Practical Anxiety Solutions

Drinking has become a lifestyle for many people to escape difficult situations. But while you are on the Citalopram drug, drinking is not recommended. This can create many issues in your body and may cause severe effects. 

Both components have the potential to make you dizzy and have an overdose effect, so you should not take the drug and alcohol at once. Always get a prescription for mental health conditions to be quickly evaluated with proper care and prescribed accordingly.

Frequently asked questions

Taking the drug at night is very much recommended as it can show a dizzy effect on our brain and cause sleepiness.
You should not take Caffeine like substances. Otherwise, the effects can be contradictory. This can make you suffer from serotonin syndrome.
After entirely stopping Citalopram consumption, You should atleast keep a gap of severe weeks. This can not affect your mental health.
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