Posted by Cam W. on September 12, 2000, at 13:03:15
In reply to Serzone and Alcohol, posted by Winfield on September 11, 2000, at 16:24:58
Win - The manufacturer says not to drink while taking Serzone™ (nefazodone) for a number of reasons:
1) The manufacturer is covering their ass. If you had any problems while taking their drug when drinking and they didn't include it in their monograph of the drug, they could be held liable. The monograph is a lawyer's document written by lawyers for lawyers.
2) Alcohol has a dehydrating effect due to inhibition of an enzyme called antidiuretic hormone (ADH). This is why you pee off more liquid than you take in while imbibing. Serzone and it's active metabolites will be excreted quicker with this extra liquid loss. This could decrease the blood level of the drug if it is excreted with the urine. This is more of a problem with drugs with very short half-lifes, like Effexor™ (venlafaxine). You can actually get withdrawl symptoms because the Effexor is excreted too quickly. The alcohol is changing the pharmacokinetics of the drug.
3) Alternatively, if you drink to excess all the time, you have less body water and the blood concentration of the drug could increase to toxic levels, especially if the Serzone isn't excreted as readily as the rest of the liquid.
4) Alcohol is a CNS depressant and in depression you already have a "depression" of neurotransmitters in the brain. Hence, the alcohol is working against the effects of the Serzone.
5) Alcohol, when used as an escape, doesn't allow you to deal with the issues that caused the depression in the first place.
These are a few reasons why the manufacturer would say not to drink alcohol while taking their drug. A glass of wine with supper or one or two beers with the boys, "may" be okay •for many people•. Remember, your mileage may vary. This preceding is not a blanket statement, nor is it an okay to go ahead and drink alcohol while on antidepressants, but a generalization. •I do not agree with alcohol comsumption while taking an antidepressant•. You should resolve the depression and be off antidepressants before considering to go on a bender.
Hope this helps - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:44628
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000905/msgs/44690.html