Expert: Dr. Ravindra Bhaskar Ghooi - 10/4/2007

Question
QUESTION: My huisband takes lexapro for anxiety. He likes to drink wine every evening.  I have noticed that he is more easily angered, impatient, and seems a bit uninhibited in his interactions with others. Is this a side effect of the drug or possibly an interaction of the drug and alcohol?
Thank you for your help.

ANSWER: Hi Kate,
Yes, it is an interaction between lexapro and alcohol. I would suggest you change the drug or stop the alcohol.
Ravi Ghooi

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Is it common that the patient is not aware of his behavior and thinks everything is OK?

Answer
Hi Kate,
You are right. By and large patients do not realize their changed and adverse behaviour. This is a usual problem with such patients. They never realize that what they are doing is causing trouble for others.In fact they blame others for their own behaviour.
Ravi Ghooi