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Ok, I used to drink occassionally when I went out with my friends. I am a person that will not drink while taking medication, not even a tylenol. I'm not talking about swollowing a pill or pills down with alcohol. I'm talking about taking a pill with water, and a few hours laters, or even several hours later, then taking meds. I will not do that! Too scared that something will happen physically. Anyway, I soo miss going out with my friends occassionally like I used to before I started taking Lexapro. Lexapro is the only meds that I am taking. I will not go out for the simple fact that I will not drink. I know you can still have fun and not drink, but I want to drink when I go out. I even used to have a smirnoff ice, just sitting watching tv, chilling at home at times. I miss doing that, I MISS MY SMIRNOFF ICE!! I haven't drank in at least a year. So let me get to the point. I know that everybody's body's react differently to different things. Has anyone drank while being on Lexapro?? Did you have a bad reaction, or no reaction. I've never been a heavy drinker, nor do I want to, but I just miss having one or two every so often. Plus, I'm getting married nxt June, I'm soo gonna want to drink at my bachorlette party, and my wedding night!!!! TOO SCARED to drink while on Lexapro! Am I being too cautious, or just being smart. I do have health anxiety though, so I know that's a big reason why I am soo scared to drink while on Lexapro. Need some experiences, and feed back please!!

I really think it's dangerous to mix meds and alcohol. But what I think isn't what matters. You have to look at your perscription paperwork and see what it says about alcohol usage while using the medicine. And if its not clear then call your Dr or Pharmacy and let them know your concerns. It would not be responsible for me a non trained medical person to advise you on that.
My pharmacist is really cool and always answers all my questions.
Take Care
Jill~

It's best not to mix Lexapro and alcohol, but I've taken 10mg of Lexapro and one drink with no problems. The lower dosage of the meds and alcohol the better, if you want to try it.

I have taken lexapro for about 8 yrs. and I can have 3 or 4 drinks and be fine. I`m not a drinker but when I do I just pace myself and sip on my drink. Just don`t be a lush and you`ll be fine.

Q: What will happen if I drink alcohol while taking LEXAPRO?
A: Studies show that LEXAPRO does not increase the cognitive and motor effects brought on by alcohol. However, alcohol may deepen depression. Therefore, the use of alcohol with patients taking LEXAPRO is not recommended.

Q: For people prone to psychosis, can LEXAPRO put you into a psychotic episode? What about taking LEXAPRO for Bipolar?
A: I am not aware of any reports of LEXAPRO causing psychotic thinking; however, if someone has a psychotic depression or underlying schizophrenic illness, treatment with just an antidepressant can unmask the underlying problem as the depressive symptoms improve, but not cause the psychosis.

The concern in patients with bipolar disorder who are presenting with depressive instead of manic symptoms is that treatment with LEXAPRO or other SSRIs can bring on a manic episode or "flip" them into mania. This is, however, less common with the SSRIs than it was with the older "tricyclic” antidepressants. Most experts think that bipolar depression is different from unipolar depression and requires treatment with other medications, called mood stabilizers, either by themselves or in combination with SSRIs.

Q: Is dose-splitting—taking half in the AM and half in the PM—okay?
A: The effectiveness of LEXAPRO seems to be due to the 24-hour blood level, and thus it does not seem to matter whether the dose of LEXAPRO is taken morning, noon, or evening. The key is to take the correct (and same) dose every day.

Dose-splitting is not recommended. If you have questions about dosing, you should talk with your healthcare professional or doctor.

Here's the top half of the article.
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LEXAPRO® FAQS: General Questions

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

Mar 15, 2009 A + A - RESET

see new important safety information

Below are the answers to frequently asked questions about the SSRI antidepressant LEXAPRO® (escitalopram oxalate). The answers are provided by HealthyPlace.com Medical Director, Harry Croft, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist.

As you are reading these answers, please remember these are "general answers" and not meant to apply to your specific situation or condition. Keep in mind that editorial content is never a substitute for a visit to a health care professional.

•Lexapro Uses and Dosage Issues
•Emotional and Physical Effects of Lexapro Missed Dose, Switching to Lexapro
•Lexapro Treatment Effectiveness
•Side Effects of Lexapro
•Drinking Alcohol and Overdose Issues •For Women Taking Lexapro
Q: Does constant use of antidepressants cause brain damage or lasting damage to your ability to think clearly?
A: I am not aware of any legitimate, well-conducted study showing any long- or short-term brain damage. To the contrary, there are studies showing no such damage, even after years of regular antidepressant use.

Q: What are the effects of taking too much LEXAPRO? Can you overdose on LEXAPRO?
A: LEXAPRO (like most of the SSRI antidepressants) is, in general, not lethal even in large doses—although taking any medication over the prescribed amount is never a good idea.

For patients who have taken "too much" LEXAPRO, alone or in combination with other drugs and/or alcohol, have experienced dizziness, sweating, nausea, vomiting, tremor, somnolence, sinus tachycardia, and convulsions. In more rare cases, observed symptoms included amnesia, confusion, coma, hyperventilation, cyanosis, rhabdomyolysis, and ECG changes (including QTc prolongation, nodal rhythm, ventricular arrhythmia, and one possible case of torsades de pointes). For a list of side effects, see the LEXAPRO package insert.

Thx guyz, I really appreciate your comments. Some of those rare situations that could happen is the very reason why I haven't drank even just one alcoholic beverage. Who knows what could happen, I don't think I want to take the chance and find out. I think I'm just gonna wait to see if I ever get off Lexapro, then maybe I'll drink a drink or two. I asked a pharmacist and she replied with I should be ok, I need a better answer than that!

My son was on Lexapro during a relationship break up and didn't change his drinking habits while on it. He usually drank wine at dinner or at home occasionally while relaxing. This was about a year ago and he was on it for about 6 months. During that time he was a psychiatric resident so he was aware of the medication and effects.

I am not condoning drinking while on medication but I take ambien, and a lot of other meds for a transplant and I enjoy a drink now and then. It hasn't affected my test results in the negative. I think if I denied myself the occasional drink when I wanted that would affect me negatively.

My fiance and I went to Dave and Buster's for dinner last weekend... I had a drink! For the first time probably since this time last year! I was fine, I got through it, and survived! It was just a small fruity drink, nothing major. I did worry a little, but all is well. I'll keep it occassional!!

Brandi, I can tell you first hand that, as far as myself, I was fine drinking alcohol and taking lexapro. I've been on 20mg for about 4 years now. There were numerous, and I mean numerous, occastions that I was too intoxicated to drive, probably every weekend for 2 years, and I am still alive today. I believe they say not to drink alcohol and these drugs as alcohol is a depressant and it just may counteract what the drug was designed to do, which is make you feel better. Me personally though, I was fine drinking with lexapro.