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alcohol/ssri
by diller, Jul 21, 2008 06:11AM
Question for Dr. Gould if possible. I talked to him 5 years ago for the same problem. I have been mixing alcohol/ zoloft in moderate amounts for years without any immediate ill effects. However back then when I occasionaly binge drank he said that I formed a toxic cocktail in my brain and that if i continued to do this brain damage would be a real possibility, however; I did continue mixing them at a moderate level with the occasional binge. I believe that I have had cognitive decline. But since this last time I spoke with Dr. Gould I have talked to many other doctors and they say that there is no evidence of any synergistic effect and some say that my memory problems are from zoloft alone. Basically my question is this : Do we know any more about the combination and why have more people with brain damage not turned up if that is the case considering that SSRI's are now the MOST prescribed drug in the United States. And can Zoloft alone cause memory problems and since I am now off what is the timeline to increase the memory? I am told by some up to 6 months. It has been 5 weeks with little improvement so far.
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It is recommended not to drink with all antidepressants (and most other medications). Alcohol can interact with the antidepressant and cause them to become ineffective. Drinking can also increase some of the common sides of meds. Like drowsiness, dizziness, memory lapse, cirrhosis of the liver, depression and liver disease. Although ZOLOFT does not potentiate the cognitive and psychomotor effects of alcohol in experiments with normal subjects, the concomitant use of ZOLOFT and alcohol is not recommended.
Keep in mind alcohol is a depressant. Even without meds, a depressed person would be wise to avoid drinking.
There is no evidence to suggest that the tapering of Zoloft causes memory problems. The tapering could lead to depression, anxiety and inability to concentrate (the very symptoms the medication was intended to treat), which could affect memory.
You should consult a neurologist to rule out other neurological pathologies that can cause memory loss.
If you need any more information,pls do post us.