Expert: Daniel S. Harrop, M.D. - 9/28/2006

Question
Hi,

Can you weigh in on drinking alcohol and taking Luvox.  I have been on the medication for anxiety/depression/OCD for 4 years and have not touched a drop of alcohol in all that time since my doctor told me not to drink while taking it.  But it's been a long time and I would like to have one drink with my friends sometimes.  Will anything bad happen?  I am on 100 mg once a day.  Thanks for your input.

Erin  

Answer
You should really ask you MD why he said no alcohol ever.  I tell my patients, who have never had an alcohol or drug problem, that they can have ONE (and I emphasize ONE) mixed drink (ONE oz), or wine (4oz) or beer with a meal if they want (ie, they can use it as a food product).  In some circumstances this does make the anxiety worse, in which case they have to lay off completely.