Effects of Mixing Prozac and Alcohol

Prozac is an antidepressant drug that is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company, and it is the trade name for Fluoxetine. In some countries, Prozac is also known as Sarafem and it is a drug that is used to treat several disorders like depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and bulimia nervosa. Prozac is the third most popular antidepressant drug in the US and it is perhaps the most well-known. Like other drugs in the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) class, Prozac regulates the presence of Serotonin in the brain, and this results in an alteration in the mood of an individual.

In spite of its immense popularity and sales, there are plenty of Prozac side effects that afflict many people. It is for this reason that it is highly recommended that an individual use Prozac only with a doctor's prescription. Enhanced and unsupervised use of this drug can cause many complications in the human body, and this is something that needs to be handled with utmost care.

Prozac and Alcohol

It is common knowledge that one should not consume alcohol while taking any serious medication on the other side. The results can be truly disastrous. This rule also applies to antidepressants, since the side effects in such a scenario can be even worse. The reaction that occurs as a result can heavily influence several bodily functions, and cause them to fluctuate uncontrollably. When alcohol mixes with Prozac, it can multiply the effects of the drug and cause a severe loss of judgment and motor skills and reflexes. Dizziness and nausea may also show up in heavy amounts, as these are the two biggest side effects of Prozac.

Along with a loss of motor skills, one also loses awareness about what is happening, so the individual may not even realize that the drug and the booze are teaming up against him. For some people, the condition that the Prozac is treating will even get enhanced, so it may lead to more intense depression as well. In fact, one can argue that all the side effects of Prozac will come out even more strongly if it is mixed with alcohol.

On the other hand, even the effects of too much alcohol in the body will come out with greater intensity upon mixing with Prozac. Both these agents work on similar chemicals in the brain, so the end result will be a state of heavy intoxication which could lead to physical accidents and mishaps, not to mention the brain damage and other internal body damage that will occur. Some people have experimented with them and claim that it makes one experience a stronger sense of euphoria that comes along with the intoxication, but this is a feeling that could turn serious and even fatal if the amounts of either agent is beyond moderation.

Moderation in Consumption

The effects of mixing the two will be less dangerous if both the agents are consumed in moderation. This does not mean that one should consume both and not worry about the consequences. There are some instances where one may accidentally or inadvertently mix both the agents, but adhering to a strict level of moderation in such a scenario will be very useful.

Moderate drinking refers to a situation where a woman drinks only one drink a day, and a man consumes only two drinks a day. Admittedly, the sizes of drinks vary from case to case, so it is said that one drink refers to 12 ounces of beer, or 5 ounces of wine or 1 ounce of a hard drink like whiskey or rum. It is also highly advisable to not consume both the agents at the same time. The longer the time period between the consumption of both agents, the better it will be for the individual. It is also best to consult your doctor if you know in advance that you will be consuming both the agents. He will know your body's state and type, so he will be the best judge to tell you how much alcohol you can and should consume if you are on a Prozac prescription. Ideally, this should amount to zero.

Some people also deliberately mix these two agents so that they can get 'high', but this should be strictly avoided. If you know someone who is doing this, you must resort to any means to stop them immediately, since the risks are too high. To conclude, here are some of the common effects again.

• Appetite loss
• Constipation or indigestion
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness and fatigue
• Dryness in mouth
• High fever and body temperature
• Insomnia
• Loss of motor skills and reflexes
• Nausea
• Nervousness and anxiety
• Perspiring excessively
• Retention of urine
• Vomiting excessively
• Weight loss or weight gain

All of these effects can be caused by Prozac or alcohol individually, if they are consumed in high amounts, so mixing the two agents together will naturally lead to more side effects and greater dangers. Do so at your own discretion and consult a doctor before or after you decide to mix things together.