Alcohol and Paxil CR

There is some concern that if a person drinks alcohol while taking Paxil CR, the Paxil CR may increase the effects of the alcohol. This is because alcohol and Paxil CR act upon similar chemicals in the brain. But many healthcare providers advise their patients that it is okay to drink alcohol while taking Paxil CR as long as a person drinks in light-to-moderate amounts, and does not begin drinking until he or she knows the effects that Paxil CR and other drugs have on his or her body. Moderate drinking is defined as one alcoholic drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.

Information on Paxil CR

Can I Drink Alcohol on Paxil CR?

Sometimes people are warned to avoid alcohol while taking Paxil CR^® (paroxetine controlled release). This is because alcohol and medicines like Paxil CR act upon similar chemicals in the brain. The concern is that Paxil CR 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 Paxil CR, they recommend that if a person chooses to drink while taking Paxil CR, he or should drink only light-to-moderate amounts -- and should drink only after he or she understands the effects that Paxil CR and other medicines have on his or her body.

Alcohol and Paxil CR: 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. Following are a few examples of drinks that count as one alcoholic drink:

12 ounces of beer
5 ounces of wine
1½ ounces of 80-proof whiskey or 1 ounce of 100-proof spirits.

(Alcohol and Paxil CR Continued: Page 2)