Alcohol And Depression Medication

I have been on Effexor since August of last year. Prior to that, I have been on Prozac and Zoloft. I never had any issues with drinking when taking Prozac or Zoloft...but, I do seem to be having a major problem with this being on Effexor. First off, let me say that I only really drink on Saturday nights. I never drink during the week. The last three times I have been out and have had some cocktails (vodka tonics), after about 3, I start babbling incoherently. Then, I start having these blackouts. These are really starting to scare me because the last time, I drove myself home and don't even remember doing it!! i've tried to change my level of Effexor from 150mg to 75mg and have not noticed any difference. Also - I just recently quit smoking. I was a pack a day smoker for approx 13 years. I have not had a cigarette since January 1st of this year. Also, I'm having significant problems with my friendships and relationships...both in my personal life and at work. I constantly feel like people are plotting against me. I'm finding it more and more difficult to get out of bed in the morning. Am I going crazy? Is there a better medication I should be on? Is any of what I'm experiencing related to nicotine withdrawal in combination with the depression med's and alcohol? I feel like I need to do something very soon or else it might be too late.

First off, congrats on the smoking...I can't get that far . You might want to get a re-evaluation. Except for the babbling incoherently...which in your case seems to be alcahol related , I had similair problems when they put me on Effexor.

Without even having had a drink, I would get home from work and not be able to remember the trip. I was having problems with thaughts of people plotting against me and being out to get me. Getting out of bed though has ALWAYS been a problem for me, so I can't comment on the effects from Effexor in that regard. I also from time to time, experienced a "zombie" like feeling whereby all my emotions would just be "dead" and I would have no drive what so ever.

My therapist then replaced the Effexor with Fluoxitine. As far as I know tho, Fluoxitine is just a different name for Prozac...but it might be worth looking into...

NOT is good combination at all.

I drank when I was on antidepressants. Just a couple of beer a week. I found that it made me feel really gross the next day. Not hungover, really. Kind of like I did when I was depressed. It's like the alcohol erased my previous day's dose of Effexor. There was one night when I drank a little bit too much (but enough to tolerate), and I was extremely ill. It all depends. I would recommend taking it easy.