Cymbalta and Alcohol
Combining Cymbalta and alcohol can cause serious side effects to occur. You should not use alcohol if you are taking this medication. If you must drink alcohol, it is recommended that you do so in moderation and only after you have been taking Cymbalta for a period of time. Talk to a doctor before taking this medication if you drink alcohol on a regular basis.
Side Effects
Cymbalta is a medication used to treat major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety, fibromyalgia, and neuropathy. Alcohol should not be consumed with this drug as the combination of the two can cause liver damage.
Signs of a liver problem can include dark urine, jaundice of skin or eyes, itching, right upper stomach pain or flu like symptoms. Consuming alcohol with Cymbalta can also cause increased impairment of thinking and reactions and an increase in the symptoms of depression. Both substances affect chemicals in the brain such as serotonin and norepinephrine; this means the efficacy of Cymbalta is compromised if it is taken with alcohol.
Severe side effects such as stomach bleeding and permanent liver damage can occur as a result of consuming large amounts of alcohol with Cymbalta. Combining these substances can also further heighten the thinking and reaction impairment that frequently occurs as a side effect of Cymbalta. Driving and operating machinery should be avoided if you are under the influence of an alcohol and Cymbalta combination as the potential for an accident is greatly increased.
Alcohol in Moderation
If you must consume alcohol it is recommended that you only drink it in moderation. Moderate drinking is one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Amounts equaling one drink vary by alcohol type -- a beer equaling one drink is 12 ounces, red wine equaling one drink is 5 ounces, and a 100 proof liquor drink consists of a 1 ounce serving.
Additionally, if you decide to drink alcohol in moderation while taking Cymbalta, you should do so only after you have been taking the drug for a while. This gives you time to understand how your body reacts to the drug and to find out which side effects you will have from it.
Safety with Alcohol
As previously noted, if you must drink alcohol you should consume only minimal amounts. You can also decrease the side effects associated with the Cymbalta and alcohol combination by taking the medication dose at a different time of day then when you drink alcohol; doing this can help minimize any adverse effects. If you regularly consume alcohol you should talk to a doctor before taking Cymbalta.
Most healthcare providers discourage the consumption of alcohol while taking the medication Cymbalta. The combination of these two substances can serious side effects to occur. If you must consume alcohol you should do so in moderation and only after you have been taking Cymbalta for a while. If you regularly consume alcohol you should talk to a doctor before taking this drug.
