[filn]

Although this information has been posted in the past, I think it is important to keep information on this mix available.

From my experiences, especially recently, Effexor and and alcohol do not mix. I have noticed in myself, and heard from others, that the effects of alcohol and its intensity change dramatically while on Effexor.

I have been on effexor for about 4 years now and really never drink. Every once and awhile I would go out and have a few drinks with coworkers or friends every 4-5 months, the latest being a few evenings ago. I came to a harsh conlusion that while I have been on effexor, the effects of drinking have changed from when I never was on this medication.

I have experienced a high desire to drink more and getting very drunk in a very short amount of time with few drinks. I never become buzzed or tipsy anymore. I realized the other night that after 2 beers, I was completely smashed. I know that through the night I had, at most, 6 beers. Normally, I would be somewhat tipsy and maybe slightly "drunk" were I not on effexor. But, this amount of alcohol caused me to vomit violently and have long periods of blackouts and memory loss from the evening.

It turns out, the effects of a couple of beers while taking effexor are the same as if I were on an all day drinking binge were I not to be taking it.

Has anyone else had these experiences? Got any good stories how you found out to not mix the two?

~Filn

[eEugene]

In Special precautions this medicine it is written " Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion ".

[filn]

Originally Posted by eEugene

In Special precautions this medicine it is written " Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion ".

It is now and has been for a little while, but it has not always been that way. Anyway, the effects stated hardly reflect the true nature of what happens.

[birdbrained]

I've been on Effexor XR for almost 5 yrs. now and must admit that I've had a few bouts with alcohol intoxication. I am a light drinker; maybe three or four times a year and those times are usually at social functions. When I do drink, I like to at least feel a little tipsy, but since I've been on my meds my tolerance seems to be elevated so that I cannot feel 'slightly' intoxicated. I usually get bored, lose my taste for the alcohol, or get concerned about over consuming before I even get buzzed. There are times when I just keep drinking to see how long it takes before I do feel something(bipolar mixed episode) and usually it's somewhere around 8 mixed drinks or 12 beers! I feel like an alcoholic! I must add that I also take Trazadone, Klonopine, Topamax, Synthroid, Lyrica, and occasionally Percocet for breakthrough pain that the Lyrica doesn't catch(chronic pain patient).