I recently started on 20mg of Cymbalta for nerve pain and anxiety. I've had tickets to an exclusive whiskey tasting party since before I started taking Cymbalta. Will it be okay to drink rather heavy just ONCE at this event in a few weeks? What extra precautions should I take, what else should I be aware of and watch out for, and what should I have my friends watch for?
Drinking heavy one night on Cymbalta?
Question posted by Justme22 on 7 Oct 2017
Last updated on 27 November 2017
Added 7 Oct 2017:
Nerve pain is idiopathic. I'm 37 and about 135 pounds. Cymbalta is the only medication I'm on. I am a very light drinker (2-4 drinks per week) but love whiskey and know how much I can drink without being on any meds... just not sure how much I can drink now.
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5 Answers
DaynaS
13 Oct 2017
I looked up Cymbalta on this website and it said to avoid alcohol because it could increase the risk for liver damage although a couple of drinks probably won't hurt as long as it isn't everyday. Its your choice. try talking to your doctor or a pharmacist. Hope I was of some help.
Sidekick55
8 Oct 2017
Hangover from hell is all I have to say. I mean, bed ridden for at least a day
Stephen Treloar
8 Oct 2017
The drug interaction checker warns of a moderate interaction between the two but that is based on Cymbalta possibly causing liver issues and adding alcohol which can potentially cause liver issues. Chucks advice sounds reasonable to me.
chuck1957
8 Oct 2017
Very bad Combination but you don't want to do this often don't take the Cymbalta on the day you're going to be drinking and you will feel so bad the next day take it again the next day. normally if you did this with Cymbalta, my friend, you would feel like hell. otherwise, that is your choices no alcohol or hold the Cymbalta and don't get used to doing this you may still feel like crap on the day you restart the Cymbalta. one or the other my friend and have your friends look for extra sedation and cut you off a bit early or the alcohol hitting you harder. to cut you off. Enjoy and don't make a habit of this chuck1957
Justme22
8 Oct 2017
Thanks - I will take this advice! This is literally just for ONE night that I anticipate probably drinking heavy (at least this event has been hyped up as an "everyone will get drunk and we are booking a nearby hotel because of that"). I really want to go to this event and taste all kinds of whiskey, and I'm glad I can (eventhough I will feel sick either way it sounds like)!
Even before getting on Cymbalta I was a very light drinker, and since I've told my friends my nerve issues, nobody has been pressuring me to drink or have another drink :-) . I just started taking 20mg on October 2, and it hasn't started helping yet that I can tell (my neurologist told me 2 weeks for the nerve pain, 4 weeks to help with anxiety).
chuck1957
8 Oct 2017
Sounds good; yes what your doctor said because we are all different 2 weeks you get rid of the side effects if you have any and at 4 weeks you normally start to feel it start working and it continues all the way to 6 to 8 weeks when you get to the full dose. have a great time chuck1957
Justme22
28 Nov 2017
Just an update- I went to this event and drank as much as I wanted and got more drunk than I've been in a very long time!!! Skipped my dose that night (because I forgot it at home anyway) and felt like hell the next morning. I still drank less than everyone else, cut myself off early like the reluctantly responsible adult I am, and sobered up quicker, so I was okay with driving my totally trashed friends 2 miles home.
It was SO fun, but my hands totally had burning nerve pain the next day on top of having a pretty awful hangover.
Thanks for the advice and warning! This won't be repeated more than once or twice a year, but it was so awesome to do one night!
djchurn
7 Oct 2017
I am not trying to deter you, I was once your age and enjoyed those opportunities. Now I cannot afford the event or the alcohol so it easy for me to give advice. I wouldn't do but as they say "noir mileage may vary".
Related topics
cymbalta, anxiety, pain, generalized anxiety disorder, neuralgia, nerve
Further information
- Cymbalta uses and safety info
- Cymbalta prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Cymbalta (detailed)
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