Hi guys, I am on 20mg Citalopram for depression and anxiety. My doc prescribed me Diazepam (2mg) as well few days ago, in case needed. I took only one and about 7 hours ago.
I have read that it is no good mixing Diazepam and alcohol. But if I only had one tablet and I do not take it regularly. When is it safe to have just a glass of wine or two?
(Normally it is not causing me any problem to have a glass or two with Citalopram).
Thanks x
You are taking both an anti-anxiety and depression medication. Mixing alcohol with them? Rolling the dice for maybe a very unpleasant side effect and canceling the positive effect of the meds. Most likely the former.
If you read not to do it, why are you asking us how to do it? 
All has to do with chemistry. The 13th Commandment is: Thou shall not mix alcohol with meds. Call MD.
Don't fill the prescription if you aren't going to take it properly. You're wasting your money and setting yourself for a problem. Alcohol can amplify the negative effects or nullify the positive effects of a med. Just because you don't take one every day, doesn't mean a medication isn't still in your body. Everyone's chemical makeup is different. Maybe some people can mix alcohol and meds without side effects or be wasting the medication.
I'm the one who ended up a horrible seizure, fell and fractured a vertebra requiring surgery and 4 days in a hospital unintentionally by taking my med incorrectly, so I am really not wanting anyone to have any type of side effect.
Is a glass of wine really that important?
Thank you for your comment. I am really sorry to hear you had a seizure and hurt yourself, hope you are fine now.
I do know it is not safe to mix the medication and alcohol. That is why my question was when it is safe to just have a glass of wine and when that one 2mg dose of Diazepam is out of my system.
(But you are right, a glass of wine is not that important if I think about it.)
When do you know the Diazepam is out of YOUR particular system? If you know it's not safe to mix alcohol, and don't know when your med has completely left your system, you knew the answer.
Thank you for both of your comments. I have to say though, I did find them a bit patronizing. 
S o you are thanking me but saying you were more intelligent than the style of writing used. What a hoot!
So I lose if I try to make it clear as I do not know the mindset of the poster,
and I lose if it is understood. Life!
If you found my explanation patronizing, maybe it was because you were asking a question when you should have known the answer, and if not, I was trying to cover all the basics. Life!
Please don't set me up to pay attention to your issue, then knock how I respond to it, ok? I feel like I dealing with a new NA member Life!
When someone is trying to pull me into suggesting how they can get around hurting their bodies simply because they still want to drink on medication, it's a bit cheeky to comment on the style I used to make certain you understood. Life!
Please do not take advantage of us who bother to respond, when there are many thousands who don't, ok?
She was asking if it was safe. She wasn’t trying to intentionally abuse the meds. I came on here with the exact same question. My doctor told me that alcohol acts in the same way as Valium. That makes it sound like it’s okay as long as it’s done in moderation, so that was confusing. Sometimes people come on here to ask others who might have had personal experience or because their doctors just don’t take the time to explain things. The way you replied could cause an increase in anxiety.
You are very rude, aren't you.
I hope the past two years have helped you to see how rude and pointless your comments are.
Are you guys serious? HearYou’s answer is valuable and you’re focusing on the perceived tone instead of the information. It doesn’t matter what any particular person experiences, as it’s a known fact that it’s a risk to mix the two.
It’s unfortunate that you’re not reading the answer you want to hear, which is “it’s fine, it’s only 2mg”. But the reality is you cannot predict how your individual body chemistry will react, and that point was made clear.
If you know it can be harmful, then why are you criticizing this person for explaining what you already know and for trying to help you?
Patronizing? Chill? Everything that was said was on point, logical, and helpful. If anyone here is looking for a random stranger to convince them that their personal opinion is worth more than 50 years of peer-reviewed scientific research, then go ahead and roll the dice. Hopefully you won’t have bad luck.
Sportygirl_1972, the OP was looking to abuse the meds. She already knew the answer, and Jeff1942 gave her what she wanted to hear: “it’s totally fine, I do it all the time. Drink a bottle”. Then you acknowledged that she should be cautious about that advice...?? Even Jeff advised caution after he wrote it. And he’s wrong, the “worst” that can happen when you mix the two is not sleepiness, it’s literally death. Otherwise it would be recommended for sleep.
Sportygirl, If Valium acts like alcohol, logically taking them together is not moderation, it’s doubling up.
To be clear, OP was not asking if it was safe because she already know knew the answer. She was looking for someone to say “go for it, you’ll be fine”.
I’m sorry if anyone finds this offensive, I’m not trying to hurt feelings. My greatest moments of growth have been when others have brought me back down to reality, often harshly.
HearYou, thank you for your answer.
Haha wow, have the past 2 years given you enough social experience to realize when you're acting like a pretentious little twat?
If you can't answer someone's humble question without patronizing them and putting yourself on a pedestal (clearly to compensate for your lack of confidence and life achievements), then don't answer at all you pathetic little prick.
In my experience diazepam leaves the body fairly quickly. For me it lasts about 4 hours. I think it would be safe to have a glass of wine about 6 -7 hours after taking the diazepam. You might want to double check this with your doctor.
Pharmaceutical companies give those warnings about not mixing alcohol with meds mainly to cover themselves. They list hundreds of possible side effects for the same reason.
For many years I was on an anti-depressant which is good for anxiety disorder: amitriptyline. I drank a bottle of wine every day and never had any problems. Not once in many years.
As b1b1b1 rightly says diazepam loses its calming effect after 4 hours and after 7 hours I say you'll be fine. 2mg is the smallest dose (but quite sufficient to do the job).
Of course, you won't be driving. I believe the worse that can happen if you mix valium and alcohol is you will feel more sleepy than with alcohol alone and more liable to accident.
The other day I took 2.5mg diazepam/valium at 9am and had two 11% strength Belgium beers at 12noon - 1pm. Never had any problems or expected any. I'm 75 by the way.
Don't deny yourself life's little pleasures without a very good reason. You can be too precious.
Thank you for your comment, Jeff1943, I found it very useful!
I have the same question. The first one who replied was definitely condescending even if s/he had a point. I would be cautious about doing what this lady person said, though.
Although my liver is functioning normally I don't suggest anyone follow my example of drinking a bottle of wine a day for years.
Sure, I just like an occasional glass of wine. Or two.
Ahhh ummmp! Please don't joke; this is serious.
If you mix your meds with alcohol, you may become a patient with a "dual addiction" over time. Many problems can be caused by this. Do you have a really good health plan that will pay for a month-long stay at a rehabilitation facility? You can end up having problems without the wine, also. After a period of time you may decide, in the blink-of-an-eye, to take all of your meds at one time. It may take years, but citalopram can cause suicidal ideation - in the blink-of-an-eye! Even if you believe that you won't go you heaven if you end your own life. These chemicals and the chemicals in our brains become different, with time, in certain individuals, and can cause you to make a bad choice - almost on a lark. Citalopram, when used for a length of time, must be titrated down in dose over a period of many weeks to wean yourself off of the medicine. It is even worse for a senior citizen. You can watch some testimonials on youtube about Citalopram. Even young people have a difficult time getting off of the medicine. Sometimes your doctor will tell you that you must take this medicine for the rest of your life. Please learn as much as you can about your medicines. I wish you luck and hope for your good health.
By the way, Buspirone (the generic form of Buspar) is a lot safer for anxiety disorder. It has few side effects. You may want to check this medicine out online and discuss it with your doctor. You can take Xanax with it, too. But my best advice is to give up the alcohol completely, as you will get your happiness and joy in life back much sooner. Alcohol is a depressant. Seriously, if you have anxiety and depression, alcohol will cast a pall over your life. It may seem like life is not worth living if you cannot have that one glass of wine, but diazepam relaxes your inner "guardian" and you will drink more and more as time goes on, until you need to be in rehab. I speak from experience. I don't want you to be miserable. I hope that you can reclaim your inner happiness, but it does take some struggle and inner strength. Again, good luck and may God bless you.
Your words are wise HearYou. Mixing alcohol and meds is like playing Russian Roulette. It just takes one time of not being lucky. Since they are both suppressants. I've spent many a Saturday night responding to calls of ODs.
Stay Safe everyone xx
Very well and civil expressing facts, from your experience and professional training.
Oh my, you mangle the King's English as well as American English over a matter nearly a year old. I have no idea why your anxiety led you to reply now, but best wishes to you for the upcoming holidays.
Yes, this is absolutely fine but I can see how it can be addictive.... I have done this a few times, just made me warm and fuzzy, giggle and laugh at stupid stuff. Not recommended to do it heaps, can see how this would be bad.... Once in a blue moon and not heaps is okay I think..
Citalopram and shakiness
Citalopram
I feel as though i have taken a huge step backwards!
Diazepam 
Has anyone else tried coming of citalopram as I am a bit worried?
