But when you take medications that also affect how the brain works, such as Zoloft, drinking can complicate the effects. Zoloft is a prescription drug that belongs to a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Like other SSRIs, this medication understanding alcohol withdrawal stomach pain lantana recovery works by changing how your brain cells reabsorb the neurotransmitter serotonin. Alcohol affects the brain in various ways and is considered a depressant. It disrupts the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain that control emotions, which results in psychological changes.
Sertraline disease interactions
- Alcohol also alters your brain’s production of serotonin, which is why using these two drugs together could decrease sertraline’s ability to reduce symptoms of depression.
- Consuming alcohol while taking antidepressants can lead to very high serotonin levels.
- Your treatment team will equip you with the coping skills and relapse-prevention strategies you need to minimize the likelihood of relapse in your recovery.
- Also, alcohol and antidepressants can each cause drowsiness, reduced alertness, and uncoordinated movements.
- While everyone metabolizes alcohol and medications differently, interactions from combining these substances can be dangerous and possibly life-threatening.
While alcohol might make a person feel better for a short while, it can make them feel worse in the long run. Several factors can contribute to depression, including brain chemistry imbalance, genetics, life events, and negative thought patterns. However, drinking alcohol can exacerbate symptoms of depression. It’s very important to be careful about mixing alcohol with any medicine. To stay safe and make sure your medicine works the way it should, it’s best to avoid alcohol while you’re taking Zoloft.
Suicidal thoughts and behavior
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Can You Drink Alcohol Safely While Taking Zoloft?
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). Don’t stop taking an antidepressant or other medication just so that you can drink. Most antidepressants require taking a consistent, daily dose to maintain a constant level in your system and work as intended. Stopping and starting your medications can make your depression worse.
To determine if it affects humans in a similar way, the authors tested it on 95 male participants who took antidepressants. A person should let their doctor know about any drugs or supplements that they take before starting Zoloft treatment. If a person taking alcohol and the brain antidepressants consumes too much alcohol, their liver may be unable to process the toxins. It’s also important to read the Zoloft label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction.
There aren’t any known interactions between Zoloft and vaccines. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to find out whether you’re due for any vaccines. If you’d like to learn more about eating certain foods during treatment with Zoloft, talk with your doctor. If you take pimozide, talk with your doctor before taking Zoloft. They’ll likely prescribe a different treatment for your condition. Alcohol can also cause sedation and may enhance these effects from Zoloft.
Taking Zoloft with an MAOI can increase your risk of serotonin syndrome from either drug. With this condition, your body has a high level of a chemical called serotonin. This can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, excessive sweating, and blood pressure changes. Zoloft (sertraline) is an antidepressant prescribed to help people with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
If you have any questions or concerns, it’s always a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider. One possible side effect of Zoloft is an increase in suicidal behavior and thinking. This is serious, and it can heighten when a person how does alcohol affect blood pressure taking this medication also consumes alcohol. The interaction can cause depression, which may hinder the effectiveness of an antidepressant. The bottom line is that there are many reasons not to combine alcohol with antidepressants.
Data sources include Micromedex (updated 6 May 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 6 May 2024), ASHP (updated 10 Apr 2024) and others. If you took Zoloft out of habit after a night of drinking, ask a loved one to monitor your condition. Some individuals may not experience side effects if only a small amount of alcohol was consumed. If you consumed a large amount of alcohol, feel suicidal, or experience severe side effects, get emergency medical help right away. The short answer is no, it’s not safe to mix Zoloft with alcohol. The prescribing information explains that Zoloft can make you sleepy, affect decision making, and impair reaction time.