Can you drink with straterra?

[master426]

This is my first time posting anything on this forum but I have recently begun reading what others have to say about this medication. I started the meds two days ago at a dose of 40mgs (for one week), then my doctor wants me to up to 80mgs for 2 weeks, and finally reach a working dosage of 120mgs. He feels that this is sufficient for my athletic build (240 pounds) but the dosing seems high as compared to the other members on this site. As for side effects I haven't noticed anything too substanial as of yet, however, I have to say that I'm a bit anxious about drinking while on the meds. From what I've heard, alcohol amplifies Straterra's effects and I'm worried that it might make each drink feel like 2-3 drinks. Because of this I do not plan to cosume any alcohol until I learn a bit more about how it changes things. Please, if anyone has any feedback regarding how the meds and alcohol interact, or if by skipping the dosage (if you plan on drinking) helps at all, I would be very appreciative.

[Gregster]

A dosage of 120mg sounds just about right for a 240lb man - 1.2mg/kg/day is what the literature says (you're 108kg).
With regards to alcohol, the product information sheet says:
"Alcohol—Consumption of ethanol with STRATTERA did not change the intoxicating effects of ethanol."
So 1's not going to feel like 3. BUT sometimes Strattera and drugs like it (antidepressants - SSRI's, NARI's, etc) do cause a bit of general dizziness & sometimes dizziness when you stand up quickly (orthostatic hypotension) which alcohol will make worse, of course.
Not drinking is a good idea, at least until you get a good feel for how the drug behaves in your system - and to let your body get used to it.
Good luck - let us know how the Strattera is working for you.
Greg

[master426]

Hey Gregster,

Thankyou for the quick and helpful feedback in response to my question. I have seen many different responses to this question on other forums, seems like it is different for everyone. However, some of the opinions listed on other sites were influenced by other medications that could have impacted alcohol's affects differnetly. I am encouraged by what you posted relating to alcohol and will follow your advice not to drink until I have more experience with Straterra's effects. Hopefully this treatment will have a postivie impact but it seems that other people feel it is a mixed bag. The negative feedback concerning this medication's effectiveness and the list of side effects are somewhat discouraging but I plan to maintain a positive outlook in light of this drug's successes. The wealth of knowledge in this forum is a huge help for me because I do not know anyone else on this medication. Thanks again for the reply.

[Andrew]

I would have to agree with Gregster, and commend you, master426, on taking things one step at a time, before considering adding alchohol to the mix.

I have been on 40mgs twice a day, and I'm a bigger guy than you are. So, while the guidelines for Strattera's dosage are weight based, it is not always accurate. The bottom line? Only time will tell if this is enough or too much medication for you.

Keep posting and asking questions, and I'm sure others on the forums will reply as well Welcome!

[DaveHawk]

I like to have a few beers once in a while after work. Most of the time my last med. would have been 4 or 5 hours befor and I have never seen any side effects.

[egnater]

I once was taking reboxetine which like straterra is a norepinepherine re-uptaker and I drank a small flask
of sothern comfort. I got a pretty good drunk slightly faster than I normally do. But in my experience is to get used to the drug first then drink or smoke or whatever very gradually untill your where you want to be.

[cclinton]

i just started strattera a few weeks ago. I'm like you, I weigh about 240 and I have to take 120 mg. I was afraid to drink but I tried it. As long as you take it slow and don't pound them like usual you'll be fine. It's almost like having the tolerance of a first time drinker. Just drink slower and not as much and it's no different than usual.

[cal23507]

HI all, I just got my perscription for straterra...but my doctor wants to check the levels of my liver enzymes before I begin the drug...he said that straterra raises the levels of enzymes in your liver...and by drinking on it, you run the possiblility of causing SEVERE liver damage...something that you may want to look into before you start the keg stands! I will keep you all posted on when I begin the meds...should be on monday...

[Gourmet]

Thanks, Cal, for the strattera information. Good luck with your new presciption.

[sevenseven]

I have been on it for 7 months and I drink quite a bit. My Dr has just ordered a liver test cause he has heard the same thing. I hope Im ok. Im glad people tell us this now. arrrrghh

[exeter]

A lot of drugs have a risk of liver problems. Your liver is there to keep stuff like Strattera out of your blood, actually. :P If you haven't had any overt health problems, I wouldn't worry too much about these tests. It really is routine, and you probably should have had them before going on the med, but the risk is pretty low, actually, and, from what I've read, for most people, any problems they have go away when the med is stopped.

[tweeber]

i was on Adderall XR, 20 mg/day. i weigh only 130, but Adderall had some intense side effects for me for the first (and only) week i was taking it. i drink quite a bit, which isn't good, and i drank the day after i started taking Adderall. between me and my friend, we drank three pitchers (about 5 beers in one pitcher) and then i finished off with about 3 more beers. usually that will give me a pretty heavy buzz. i am a heavy weight, so i'm pretty used to drinking quite a bit in one night. for some reason, i didn't feel a single thing. i had a bowl of cereal in the morning, took Adderall at about 8am, went to the bar at about 7pm. i hadn't eaten anything besides the bowl of cereal. i wasn't hungry, but i couldn't get even a very light buzz going on. i felt completely sober, i was walking straight, talking very well and i felt normal. by the time we left the bar, at 10pm, i hadn't felt anything from the alchohol. i was realllllly hyper, talking fast and fidgeting a lot. once i got home at around 10:30pm, i started to feel a little buzz coming on. by about 10:45pm, i was completely plastered. it kind of held of the effects of alchohol till later, but then it hit 10 times harder than it usually does.

i'd drank later that week, about 5 days after i'd been taking Adderall. the alchohol was hitting me harder than i was used to, and a lot faster. after about 3 beers, i was feeling a pretty heavy buzz, almost drunk. but in the end, Adderall XR was causing chest pains, so i ended up in the ER, did a bunch of tests, found nothing wrong with my heart or lungs. but they decided to take me off of it and switch to Strattera. i just barely started taking it today. i think i'll wait on the drinking for a week or so to see if my body can get used to the Strattera before i start drinking again. even then, i don't want to drink as much as i usually do. i hope i helped a little, but it's just my experience with it. i'm certain it differs from person to person.