Drinking + meds = ??

Is it really bad to drink and take meds? I'm on seroquel and abilify.

I find that one glass of wine or beer is ok.. but anymore and I get pretty irritable, or really sleepy and black out. Is that pretty normal?

I just can't imagine a life without a bit of wine or beer especially at celebrations or holidays.

Not a good idea...

I use to drink 1 day a week regardless if I was taking meds or not. I used it to dull anxiety and or physical pain. Im told its not a good idea to drink with bipolar period. Meds can make it dangerous and certain meds could be deadly combined with alcohol. Some people seem to do so without a problem and others have very bad reactions. I've had bad reactions to alcohol when on meds and when off. I do my best to avoid it now. If I go out to dinner and am having a large meal, I allow myself a drink or two. This is probably a little risky all things considered. I would discuss it with your doctor. I've read posts where people say their doctor gave the go ahead for a glass of wine or one beer. Good luck on your decision.

My doctor used to say 1-2 drinks with food, slowly, was fine. As dosage went up and we made changes, he said none at all. Which I largely have followed though once in awhile have a half glass of wine with a sparkling water. It's not fun to not even be able to have a beer with friends. The last time I had more than one drink i was really sedated and majorly slowed me down. Not fun. Don't drink is my advice.

I drink only occasionally, and then it's just a beer or two, or a horn of mead (fermented honey wine in a real Viking drinking horn) or a glass or two of red wine. It's not so much the bp meds that may be the problem but the muscle relaxants and pain pills (lumbar fusion surgery). I don't drink within but a couple of hours of taking those.

I used to drink a glass of wine on special occasions and while it mellowed me out pretty good, I didn't seem to have a problem. The last time I did I felt like a pile of mush, though. A lot of meds have sedating properties.

I do ok with wine whereas strong liquor takes me a few days to recover. I went out and had "one" Long Island iced tea. I was out pretty late too. I slept all that next day. Then the next day I dropped my daughter off at camp and slept from 8-3pm. I know that drink was really really strong it was closing time so the attendant may have been trying to hook me up. Since that one time back in 2013.....I have had a drink and not had any problems but I just stick to wine. I've sipped on some liquor that just come out on market but not even a half glass. But I would not suggest anyone drink on meds if they do not feel comfortable and if there pdoc said no. I've never asked mine. I'm aware that I take a risk drinking. I also take a risk getting behind a wheel of a car lol. Ok ok just make the best choice for yourself. I've skipped my meds a few times on days I drink. I'm not a regular every weekend drinker. My last drink was in July when a friend was in town.

If its a celebration and I know I'm going to drink, I would rather skip my meds that evening than risk poisoning myself.


I figure that sometimes people generally forget a dose here and there and the world doesn't come crashing down around them, so why not make a conscious decision to skip a dose if it will ensure my safety...


Meds and alcohol both affect your brain, I just don't get why anyone would mix the two, its not like the meds can even do its job when you're consuming booze.

I just don't see the point in taking such a risk.


Ps. Blackouts are never normal.

Never

I used to drink a glass of wine per day on most days, but then my neurologist told me not to (due to neurological issues and not psychiatric). I do not see a difference with wine or without wine, in terms of mood.

Like you, Seroquel is one of the meds I'm on. There's usually no consequences for me if I have 1-2 drinks (maybe 3 if they are light drinks, like wine). However, anything past that, I wake up horribly hung over, my stomach hurts like hell, headaches last all day, and I get extremely emotional and irritable the next day. Also, I stay away from Klonopin at all costs when drinking.

I haven't drank since I started Lamictal, so I am not sure what type of effect it would have, but I can say that I have gotten to the point of being flat out drunk before on meds and it really didn't bother me. One thing I have noticed though, is that I rarely get hangovers. Klonopin is the only med I'm on that does have an affect on me, if I drink shortly after I take it I will feel a bit drowsy, but other than that, nothing noticeable. Mind you I could be wrong and my insides could be a mess, but mentally it really doesn't bother me, but I would not recommend it though.

It's not a good idea to drink while you are taking meds. If I drink I usually skip my meds for the night, even though it still doesn't mean all the drugs are out of your system so it's still good to hold it to one are two beers. Also alcohol is a depressant so it's not good for you if you are suffering from depression.