
What Is The Allowed Alcohol Intake When On Antidepressants?

Question: Hi,
My mother takes Paxil and drinks alcohol. She likes to have a glass or two of wine every night (sometimes 2 martinis). However, three nights ago she met a girlfriend for lunch and had a martini with lunch and a glass of wine after. She returned home approx. 3:00pm, then started drinking wine for the remained of the evening. The next days she felt horrible. She complain about her eyes hurting and was extremely fatigued. I am aware that alcohol and antidepressants are not comparable, however, he doctor said she can drink alcohol (she's 81 yrs. old). I tried to explain to her that meant a glass once in a while, however, she refuses to believe.
Can you help?hat do you suggest as far as a safe amount of alcohol to drink daily?
Brief Answer:
Not more than two pegs
Detailed Answer:
HI
Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query.
As a psychiatrist, i never recommend any patient to drink alcohol because it is very difficult to control amount after starting it. If your mother does not want to stop it, then recommend dose of alcohol in female is two (30 ml each) pegs of whisky per day or 14 pegs in a week. At her age, dose of alcohol should not be more than 60ml per day. Try to control her amount.
In case, you need further help, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj

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