is it safe to drink alcohol on lexapro (escitalopram)?

Question

I am taking lexapro (escitalopram). Can I still drink alcohol ?

Answer 1

Not advised: Drinking on an ssri antidepressant can make depression or anxiety persist ("fighting" the treatment). It increases seizure risk. Can make alcohol feel stronger, impairing driving and similar activities more than expected. The standard rule: avoid all alcohol. That said, people use ssris for months or years; some use alcohol occasionally in small amts and are ok. Weigh the risks.

Answer 2

Alcohol/AD's.: I would not recommend alcohol with any antidepressants.

Answer 3

No: In general, it is best not to consume alcohol while breastfeeding as alcohol can get into your bloodstream and then into your breastmilk. That being said, the alcohol does not stay there indefinitely. If you care to consume alcohol, a reasonable alternative would be to feed with expressed breastmilk and "pump and dump" the milk that you make for a couple of hours after drinking to be cautious.

Answer 4

NO!!!!: Alcohol crosses into breast milk, and is not safe for babies. I am concerned that even by asking the question, you are indicating that alcohol is very important in your life. I think you need to look at this closely. Alcohol problems do not always relate to how much or how often you drink, but that it is more important than other things in your life, like your family or your health. Consult md.

Answer 5

Yes, but...: Light drinking, generally less than 2 drinks per day, is allowed. However, moderate drinking causes irritability or excessive sleepiness, weak suckling in breast-fed infants, and decreases milk supply. Breast feeding should be avoided during and for 2-3 hours after moderate drinking. Chronic or heavy drinkers should not breastfeed.

Answer 6

No: Do not use rubbing alcohol to reduce your child's fever. The fumes from the alcohol can be dangerous to a child.

Answer 7

No: If you use rubbing alcohol on a chiilds skin you risk both absorption through the skin as well as inhalation of the fumes, both toxic to children.

Answer 8

No: The quick answer is "no", because rubbing alcohol on babies is not done nowadays. Alcohol on the skin evaporates, and so cools the skin down. It is possible that the fever will decrease if enough skin-cooling occurs. But just as likely, the cooled skin will cause the baby to shiver and generate more heat (and appear more ill). Current fever treatment is to use tylenol, (acetaminophen) motrin, or similar drugs.

Answer 9

Nope: Yeah, don't do that plus it will dry out the skin too.

Answer 10

70's medicine: This practice was on its way out in the early 70's after the potential toxic effects on baby were noted.Chilling the skin turns on shivering and drives up fever. When absolutely necessary, a doc can run chilled saline into the stomach and back to reduce fever, avoiding the skin sensors and the shiver effect.Most kids do well with simple meds. (a cold bath is just as bad)

Answer 11

Yes: Small amounts of alcohol are okay while breastfeeding. A glass of wine or few sips of beer can even help with breast milk letdown. Drinking to excess while breast feeding is not in anybody's best interest. The alcohol can change the flavor of the breast milk, however.

Answer 12

Yes: Light drinking, generally less than 2 drinks per day, is allowed. However, moderate drinking causes irritability or excessive sleepiness, weak suckling in breast-fed infants, and decreases milk supply. Breast feeding should be avoided during and for 2-3 hours after moderate drinking. Chronic or heavy drinkers should not breastfeed.

Answer 13

No: If we do not drink when we are pregnant, why would we want to when we nurse? The ammount that passes through breast milk is proportionate to the ammount ingested, so it depends on how much you weigh, how much you drink, what kind of drink, concentration of alcohol, and how long after you ingest alcohol you nurse. The aap has a list of side effects associated with alcohol.

Answer 14

Yes, but...: You may feel like you have had more to drink than you have really had. Use caution, drink slowly, and monitor how you feel before taking your next sip. Assume you can only drink about half as much as you could before being on any psychiatric medication. And if you are just starting the medication and your body is just getting used to it, it may be better not to drink at all.

Answer 15

Not advised: Drinking on an ssri antidepressant can make depression or anxiety persist ("fighting" the treatment). It increases seizure risk. Can make alcohol feel stronger, impairing driving and similar activities more than expected. The standard rule: avoid all alcohol. That said, people use ssris for months or years; some use alcohol occasionally in small amts and are ok. Weigh the risks.

Answer 16

Don't stop like that: It strikes me that drinking is less of a concern related to your medicine than it is regarding your anxiety. Alcohol can be tricky to predict if you are not feeling well emotionally, so I would consider that. Since you were only taking your Lexapro (escitalopram) for one day, you probably did not have a bad reaction. But for the future, stopping antidepressants suddenly can make you feel terrible. Be careful

Answer 17

Yes.: I wonder why you changed your mind? In people with anxiety disorders, alcohol sometimes increases their anxiety. I hope that even if you prefer not to take medications, you can see a therapist to help you deal with your anxiety. Take care.

is it safe to drink alcohol on lexapro (escitalopram)?

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it's anonymous and free!

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it's anonymous and free!

HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:

Similar questions

Can I drink alcohol while breastfeeding?

Can rubbing alcohol reduce a baby's fever?

Is it ok to drink alcohol while breastfeeding?

Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking lexapro (escitalopram)?

Took one 5mg Lexapro (escitalopram) on Monday night and then decided not to take again. Is it safe to drink alcohol tonight approx 96 hours later? No other meds.

Related questions

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:

Found in:

People also asked

Related topics

Disclaimer:

Get the free app for Members

Get the free app for Doctors