Regardless, it is important to know that , and is also associated with other health risks. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. Effexor, the brand name for venlafaxine, is a prescription medication that is commonly used to treat depression, anxiety and panic disorder. These risks may be elevated by using alcohol with other medications.Although not many well-controlled studies have been done on specific effects of using alcohol with Effexor, certain adverse effects of either substance may be worsened by mixing them. SNRIs, such as Effexor, act on specific chemicals within the brain known as serotonin and norepinephrine. Not only would you experience potential side effects such as dizziness, excess sedation and drops in blood pressure, but also impaired cognitive functioning. The information has been screened and edited by health professionals to contain objective information on diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Doctors give trusted answers on uses, effects, side-effects, and cautions: Dr. Kumar on effexor and alcohol craving: Psychoactive medications can cause significant central nervous system dysregulation when alcohol is consumed. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed. It can potentially worsen symptoms of depression that you are likely taking Effexor to regulate. Side effects linked with mixing alcohol and Effexor may include: Confusion; Memory loss The safest way to avoid worsened psychological symptoms and side effects is only to use Effexor as prescribed and to ” Healthline, February 14, 2018.
We know the struggle, which is why we're uniquely qualified to help.This medical web page has been reviewed and validated by a health professional. It works by allowing the brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine to increase, which may alleviate feelings of depression and anxiety. It is not clear how much alcohol a person would need to consume to counteract the effects of Effexor since many factors are involved. Accessed May 13, 2019.A Prospective Assessment of Reports of Drinking to Self-Medicate Mood Symptoms With the Incidence and Persistence of Alcohol Dependence.” JAMA Psychiatry, July 2013. For a complete list of all side effects, Medicines that interact with Effexor may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works for, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with Effexor. The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes.

Effexor is a prescription medicine used to treat depression (also known as major depression or clinical depression). You should refer to the prescribing information for Effexor for a complete list of interactions.Effexor (venlafaxine) [Package Insert]. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information -

Sometimes people use alcohol to help symptoms of depression, and sometimes alcohol use can lead to increased long-term mood symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.It is not always easy to know if depression leads to alcohol use or if it is the other way around. Why Are Dementia Patients Getting Risky Psychiatric Drugs? As an advocate for behavioral health, Cami is certified in... Christina Caplinger is a licensed pharmacist in both Colorado and Idaho and is also a board-certified... Alcohol can interact with many drugs, including antidepressants, and sometimes this mixing can be dangerous. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Company Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Effexor only for the indication prescribed.Copyright 1996-2020 Drugs.com. Effexor, which is the brand name for the medication venlafaxine, is an antidepressant typically prescribed to treat depression or anxiety 1. I can’t believe how my desire for alcohol … Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with Effexor. I didn’t start realizing it until I started Prozac and started weaning of effexor and I noticed my cravings for alcohol is beginning to subside. Cami Renzoni is a creative writer and editor for The Recovery Village.