2w ago

Methylphenidate and alcohol?

I'm on 20mg slow-release Methylphenidate a day (taken in the mornings) and haven't had any alcohol since I started taking meds last fall. And even before that I could count on one hand the times I'd drink alcohol in a year.

But I used to be a big whisk(e)y afficionado and have started to really crave a glass of my favourite single malt scotch.

I asked my doctor if I could drink a little bit of alcohol in the evening every once in a blue moon and he said yes, but I'm still hesitant. Does anyone here have any experience in this regard?

14 comments

I'm on 36 mg ER. I drink 3-6 drinks a week with no ill effects. You should be fine with some scotch. If anything odd happens, counsel with your doctor on it. I would also say it's a bit of a wasted pill as being inebriated kinda defeats the purpose of trying to feel "normal", and the more you frequently you take these you slowly build up your resistance to them so keep that in mind. I try to take breaks on the weekends at least. That's just my experience.
I have had a few drinks on Ritalin and it feels like the drink doesn't do much. I have read that lots of alcohol can cause heart arythmia with methylphenidate but that's not 1 drink.
It's been a long time since I was on methylphenidate, but I believe I did drink occasionally at the time. I'm on other stims now.
Generally just be careful because you'll feel less drunk than you are. Stay hydrated.
- I'm on Elvanse and I just can't get drunk anymore like I used to. I drink less, so that's good.
  
  Had to look it up and I guess I am too. I know it under another name (Vyvanse). I don't drink that much. A beer here and there but rarely drunk. I'm not sure I remember what it was like before.
I've had drinks on methylphenidate many times and it hasn't been a problem. Well, the biggest problem was getting a worse buzz from the drink, really. Probably wouldn't recommend heavy drinking, especially if you're on higher doses, but a glass of whiskey in the evening every now and then should be fine. Depending on when you take your meds in the morning and when you have your evening glass of whiskey most of the methylphenidate will probably be out of your system anyway.
Zero interaction with the two in my experience, although I rarely even have a drink until hours after the expected duration so it has probably worn off. One drink with lunch doesn't seem to be any different than before the meds to me either.
I've been on Foquest (25mg) for about a month. Last night I had 3 pints of lager. First time I've drank since being on the medication. Nothing unusual except that the next day it was like I hadn't drank at all. Normally there's some effect on energy levels or mood. Doubtful it's related to the meds, but it was the only remarkable thing.
If it's short acting and you don't experience negative effects when you miss a dose you could always skip for a day you wanna relax and have some wiskey
- I wouldn't advise people to skip their medicine just because they don't feel there are negative effects, it's dangerous.
  
  Lots of ADHD meds are prescribed to be used as needed, it depends on the medication
  
  My doctor told me that I can skip weekends if I feel like I need to mellow out and the medication prevents that. I take the same thing as OP does.
  Edit: ask your doctor tho, not medical advice obviously

14 comments