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Dr. Rostislav Ignatov, MD
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Antidepressant medications are often used to treat the symptoms of depression and anxiety. One such medicine is Pristiq.
If you are taking Pristiq, you should avoid consuming alcoholic drinks at all costs. This is due to two major reasons:
One, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Alcohol can inhibit the action of Pristiq, which is intended to improve CNS functions such as increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels. This means that medication is no longer as effective as it should be.
Two, alcohol intensifies some of the side effects of Pristiq, such as drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion. This can be extremely dangerous in situations where alertness is required, such as when driving a car or operating heavy machinery.
Here is what you need to know about Pristiq and its interaction with alcohol:
Pristiq belongs to the class of antidepressant drugs called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
The active ingredient in Pristq is desvenlafaxine. It comes as extended-release tablets and is taken by mouth. Pristiq is taken at the same time every day, with or without food.The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Pristiq to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. It is also used to treat anxiety disorders, menopause, panic attacks, and nerve pain.
Pristiq works on the central nervous system (CNS) to improve mood by increasing the number of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin in certain parts of the brain.
This medication is often prescribed to patients in rehab centers for dual diagnosis treatment. The full effects of the medicine may take weeks to be felt.
Pristiq, like any other prescription medication, has potential side effects.
Some of the common side effects of Pristiq include the following:
You may experience none, some, or all of the above-mentioned side effects. If you do, they usually fade away or become less bothersome after a week or two of taking this medicine. In case these side effects last or worsen, consult your healthcare provider.
If you experience sexual side effects or high blood pressure while on Pristiq, they are unlikely to improve without medical guidance.
Other side effects of Pristiq can be more serious, so if any of them occur, call your healthcare provider or seek immediate medical attention.
Some of the rare but serious side effects of Pristiq include the following:
As with all other SNRI antidepressants, many people experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping Pristiq use. Consult your doctor before stopping Pristiq since the symptoms of withdrawal are reduced by gradually tapering off this medicine.
While these withdrawal symptoms are not life-threatening, they can be pretty unpleasant.
They may include the following:
Boxed Warning: Pristiq and other antidepressants were given a “black box warning” in 2007. The FDA prompted this label when it was determined that antidepressants could increase the user’s risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. Young adults are more prone to experience this potential side effect. Young people using Pristiq should be monitored closely for mood swings and suicidal ideation.
Alcohol Use: Alcohol consumption while taking Pristiq is not recommended since it can reduce the effectiveness of the medicine. This combination can also lead to many serious side effects.
Liver Problems: Pristiq is broken down in your body by your liver. If your liver is not functioning well, your body may process this medication more slowly, resulting in more side effects. To avoid this, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.
Low Blood Sodium: Pristiq can cause a low blood sodium level as a side effect, which is uncommon. If you already have this problem, Pristiq may make it worse. Consult your doctor to determine whether this medication is safe for you before prescribing Pristiq; they may want to treat your low blood sodium level first.
Kidney Problems: Pristiq is flushed from your body by your kidneys. If your kidneys aren’t working properly, your body may process this medication more slowly. This might increase the amount of medicine in your body, resulting in more negative effects. To avoid this, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.
Heart or Blood Vessel Disease: If you or someone you care about has a history of heart disease or blood vessel disease, talk to your doctor about how this may impact your medical condition. A doctor can also help you understand how your medical condition may impact the dose and efficacy of this medication and help you make informed adjustments.
Bleeding Problems: Pristiq, like many antidepressants, can increase your risk of bleeding. If you already have a bleeding disorder like hemophilia, you may be more susceptible to this side effect. Consult your doctor to know whether Pristiq is suitable for you or not.
High Cholesterol: If you have high cholesterol, inform your doctor before taking Pristiq. This medicine has the potential to raise your cholesterol levels. If you already have high levels, Pristiq may worsen the condition. Before taking Pristiq, your doctor can help you manage your cholesterol levels.
Allergic Reaction: If you have had an allergic reaction to Pristiq or any of its ingredients, your healthcare provider is most likely not to prescribe Pristiq. Taking this medicine can cause another allergic reaction. In this case, you can ask your doctor about other treatments that best fit your needs.
Pregnancy or Nursing: Pristiq can be passed on to a child during pregnancy or through breast milk. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about the risks of taking Pristiq.
Children and Teens: Pristiq doses ranging from 25 to 50 mg per day have been considered safe for pediatric patients. However, the FDA states that safety for children and teens has not been established. Therefore, the child’s doctor can advise on whether Pristiq should be used.
Doctors usually recommend patients avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while on antidepressant medication. But why?
Mixing Pristiq with alcohol is dangerous since alcohol can worsen depression and interact poorly with the medicine.
Because alcohol affects both inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters, it can act as a stimulant in small doses and a depressant in large doses.
One brain chemical affected by alcohol is glutamate, which increases energy levels and brain activity. Alcohol inhibits glutamate release, causing brain activity to slow down.
On the other hand, alcohol can activate or increase the levels of an inhibitory neurotransmitter known as GABA, which lowers energy levels.
In other words, drinking alcohol can affect your judgment and result in slowed speech, movement, and the ability to think.
When alcohol and Pristiq are combined, the adverse effects of Pristiq, such as dizziness, poor coordination, and drowsiness, are intensified. The combination of the two can result in loss of consciousness, coma, and even death.
It is important to note that potentially dangerous interactions between alcohol and Pristiq can occur when the two drugs are used simultaneously. But health complications can also develop when alcohol is consumed while Pristiq is still present in the body.
Since every person’s body is different, the medication may stay in one person’s system longer than it would in another’s. As a result, it is important that patients using Pristiq refrain from drinking alcohol while on the drug.
A person who has consumed both alcohol and Pristiq may exhibit certain signs and symptoms.
Less severe but common symptoms include the following:
If you notice any of these symptoms, speak to your doctor as soon as possible.
More serious symptoms may include the following:
In these cases, a person must be given immediate medical attention.
Taking Pristiq without a doctor’s advice is harmful, but taking it while drinking alcohol is twice as risky. In any scenario, it’s a good idea to consult with a doctor and be entirely honest before using Pristiq.
Pristiq can be very helpful in managing your depression. If medication helps you reduce your symptoms and helps you enjoy life again, that’s fantastic. But don’t let it give you a false sense of security.
Don’t think you can drink safely because your depression is under control. There are various risks associated with drinking and taking Pristiq.
Here are six reasons why you should not mix alcohol and Pristiq:
One of the most vital things to note about alcohol and depression is that consuming alcohol can worsen symptoms and increase the severity of depressive moods. Whether you are taking Pristiq or not, consuming alcohol is a poor coping mechanism that only worsens things.
Many people drink alcohol to cope with bad moods, negative feelings, stress, and painful memories. This is risky not just because it might lead to addiction but also because it does not address the root causes of those negative feelings.
Only professional treatment and good coping skills can actually assist you in processing your thoughts and moods and managing depression in the long run.
You are at greater risk of developing a substance use disorder if you suffer from depression. According to experts, the risk of developing SUD is double compared to those without depression.
Co-occurring mental illnesses, such as depression, with alcohol use disorder, are common and harmful. While they are treatable, managing a dual diagnosis is far more challenging.
If you develop an addiction to alcohol, it will be more difficult to manage your depressive symptoms, reduce the frequency of episodes, and quit or moderate your drinking. If you have both an alcohol use disorder and depression, you may need more frequent and long-term treatment.
Like other antidepressant drugs, Pristiq has the potential to cause side effects. Drinking can enhance and worsen some of these.
Some of these symptoms include:
The combination of alcohol and Pristiq might impair your thinking and judgment, which can be risky. Drunkenness is a state of impairment that results in poor judgment, poor decisions, and even self-destructive actions.
When alcohol is mixed with Pristiq, the effects of drinking get increased. In other words, you may become intoxicated more quickly and with less alcohol than usual.
Using alcohol while taking Pristiq is not recommended since it can reduce the effectiveness of the medicine.
Treatment for AUD and co-occurring depression can be complex. Still, integrated treatment approaches that address both conditions can be helpful.
An integrated approach addresses both mental conditions in the same sessions or interactions, using specific therapeutic methods as part of a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan.
Effective treatment for co-occurring depression and alcoholism may include a mix of behavioral therapies, medications to alleviate alcohol withdrawal symptoms or treat depressive symptoms, and long-term aftercare planning to help maintain sobriety.
Medications: You may be prescribed antidepressants to help treat depression and certain AUD symptoms.
You may also be given the following:
Inpatient Rehab: After a successful detox, an inpatient setting may be recommended based on several factors determined via substance use disorder evaluation conducted by a healthcare provider.
Inpatient rehab provides round-the-clock monitoring and care in hospitals or other medical centers.
Outpatient Rehab: Outpatient treatment provides much of the same care as inpatient treatment but is less intensive. Outside of treatment hours, patients are free to return home and continue with daily life.
Outpatient treatment may only be an option if a person’s current physical dependency does not need inpatient treatment.
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