Can I Drink Alcohol on Strattera?
Sometimes people are warned to avoid alcohol while taking
Strattera® (
atomoxetine hydrochloride). This is because alcohol and medicines like Strattera may act upon similar chemicals in the brain. The concern is that Strattera will increase the effects of alcohol -- whether this is increasing
symptoms of depression or affecting motor skills.
Practically, when many healthcare providers are asked whether or not it is okay to drink alcohol on Strattera, they recommend that if a person chooses to drink, he or she should drink only light-to-moderate amounts. It is also important that a person not drink until he or she understands the effects that Strattera (and other medicines he or she is taking) may have on his or her body.
Strattera and Alcohol: What Is Moderate Drinking?
When healthcare providers recommend moderate alcohol drinking, they mean one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. Because the alcohol content in drinks varies, what counts as one drink also varies. Each of the drinks listed below is an example of one alcoholic drink:
- 12 ounces of beer
- 5 ounces of wine
- 1½ ounces of 80-proof whiskey or 1 ounce of 100-proof spirits.
Using Caution With Strattera and Alcohol
If you decide to drink alcohol in moderation while on Strattera, it is recommended that you not drink alcohol at the same time as you take your Strattera. Also, it is important to learn the effects of Strattera on your body before you begin drinking. Strattera may affect some individuals' ability to perform certain functions, such as driving a car or operating machinery.
Also, Strattera can cause liver damage. Your risk of liver damage may be increased if you drink large amounts of alcohol.
