Author: Alex Thompson
Can You Drink On Antidepressants? What Experts Say About Safety The New York Times
The interaction can cause depression, which may hinder the effectiveness of an antidepressant. The combined effects can make a suicide attempt more likely. People with depression may turn to alcohol to try to feel better in the short term; however, alcohol can worsen their condition. If you find it difficult to avoid drinking, you should reach out to your provider for guidance.
If you consume alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much (if any) is safe to consume while you’re taking Zoloft. If you have other questions about Zoloft and MAOIs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Keep reading to learn about Zoloft’s possible interactions. And for more information about Zoloft, including details about its uses, see this article.
If you’re at low risk of addiction to alcohol, it may be OK to have an occasional drink, depending on your particular situation, but talk with your doctor. Even a single drink can interact with your medication and cause unwanted side effects. This is because Zoloft and alcohol both affect your brain. Taking Zoloft exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
This is because antidepressants like Zoloft usually take several weeks or months to fully work to treat depression. Doctors usually only recommend taking Zoloft during pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks. Talk with your doctor to learn more about safe treatments for your condition if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Certain medical conditions or other health factors may raise the risk of interactions with Zoloft. Before taking Zoloft, talk with your doctor about your health history. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Medical Professionals
For this reason, you should not drink alcohol while taking it. Moreover, alcohol can worsen the symptoms of depression, which may make any antidepressant less effective and increase the risk of suicidal behavior. This is because alcohol temporarily increases serotonin levels. Having the drug and alcohol in the body can be dangerous. In some people it can, for example, cause oversedation and a higher risk of suicidal behavior.
Drinking alcohol isn’t recommended if you have depression. This is because alcohol suppresses neurological signals that can alter your ability to think and reason, so drinking can make your condition worse. It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Zoloft while breastfeeding. But side effects reported in breastfed children have been rare.
The combination of alcohol and Zoloft can cause side effects, and drinking alcohol can make your depression worse. In fact, if you have depression, your doctor will likely tell you not to drink alcohol even if you don’t take Zoloft. Due to this risk, doctors will usually avoid prescribing Zoloft liquid solution if you’re taking disulfiram.
Alcohol & Antidepressants: What Are the Risks?
Certain health conditions or other factors could raise your risk of harm if you take Zoloft. In such cases, your doctor may not prescribe Zoloft for you. Some interactions occur because one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected. For example, sometimes alcohol, another drug, or a supplement can affect how a drug acts in your body. Interactions can also occur if you have certain health conditions.
- If a person is taking Zoloft, they should avoid drinking alcohol.
- If you have a liver problem, tell your doctor before you begin taking Zoloft.
- If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help.
- One possible side effect of Zoloft is an increase in suicidal behavior and thinking.
However, drinking alcohol can exacerbate symptoms of depression. You should also never skip doses of your medication to drink alcohol. Doing this can make your condition worse, and the drug will also likely still be in your body. If your doctor gives you this medication, you may wonder if it’s safe to drink alcohol during treatment. For people with depression and other mental health issues, medication can offer welcome relief. One drug commonly used to treat depression is sertraline (Zoloft).
How can I prevent interactions?
In rare cases, serotonin syndrome can be life threatening. A 2017 clinical trial found that caffeine increases the effectiveness of antidepressant medications in rodents. To determine if it affects humans in a similar way, the authors tested it on 95 male participants who took antidepressants. Also, alcohol and antidepressants can each cause drowsiness, reduced alertness, and uncoordinated movements. When a person has both in their system, these effects increase, which may lead to accidents and injuries.
Taking Zoloft with the drug pimozide can cause an abnormal heart rhythm. Because of this risk, doctors usually avoid prescribing Zoloft with pimozide. Your doctor will likely suggest using a treatment other than Zoloft if you need to take pimozide. If this medication isn’t working for you, discuss your options with a healthcare provider to find the best treatment possible.
If you’re prescribed Zoloft and are taking Xanax, let your doctor know. But your doctor will likely want you to watch for changes in coordination, confusion, or other symptoms that affect your thinking or physical movement. In fact, doctors sometimes prescribe Xanax short term when people first begin taking an antidepressant, including Zoloft.
Can I take Zoloft with alcohol?
SSRIs like Zoloft also come with a boxed warning due to the increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors when used in adolescents and young adults. Furthermore, mixing alcohol and Zoloft can lead to trouble reacting and thinking clearly. Besides reducing effectiveness, alcohol can make you feel more tired, dizzy, or sick when consumed with antidepressants. Alcohol can also cause sedation and may enhance these effects from Zoloft.
Are there other interactions with Zoloft?
Remember, the key is to find activities that you enjoy and that align with your interests and values. Prioritize what’s best for your health, and choose options to help your well-being. Combining the two can make you feel very drowsy, which can be dangerous. Find answers to some frequently asked questions about Zoloft and possible interactions.