Zoloft and Alcohol: Avoiding a Risky Combination

Serotonin syndrome is a serious condition that can occur when serotonin levels are too high in the body. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include myoclonus, muscle rigidity, diaphoresis, tremor, hyperreflexia, agitated delirium, and hyperthermia. If you believe you have a problem with alcohol, it’s essential to seek help, especially when it comes to detoxing from alcohol. Going through alcohol withdrawal alone can be potentially dangerous and even life-threatening, depending on the individual’s level of physical dependence.

• Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about alcohol use.
• As a result, Vivitrol can help to reduce alcohol cravings and prevent relapse.
• Now research suggests these meds — part of a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) — may one day be a promising treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD).
• Furthermore, healthcare professionals can monitor for any adverse effects and intervene if necessary.

Mixing Antidepressants with Alcohol: Dangers, Risks, and Effects

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is crucial to discuss the potential risks and benefits of sertraline with your healthcare provider. Drinking alcohol while on Zoloft can intensify the sedative effects of alcohol, and in rare cases, mixing the two may lead to death — especially if you consume large quantities of alcohol. Combining Zoloft and alcohol can also increase your risk of serotonin syndrome.

Other shared side effects include anxiety, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and even suicidal thoughts. Any of these can become more common, or twice as extreme as a result of mixing these two substances. As you’ve demonstrated, understanding the way different drugs affect one another, and affect you, is very helpful. This is true not only of illicit substances, but also of legal drugs, such as alcohol, nicotine, and prescription and over-the-counter medications. You may also reach out to a pharmacist, whose expertise is in knowing about various types of drugs and their reactions with other substances.

Understanding the Risks

The interaction can cause depression, which may hinder the effectiveness of an antidepressant. Zoloft belongs to a group of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). They work by blocking the brain’s serotonin receptors, causing more serotonin molecules to circulate. Serotonin stabilizes a person’s mood and is known as the “feel-good” hormone. Having more of this hormone in the brain can benefit mood, sleep, and emotions. Officially, the FDA recommends that people who take Zoloft avoid drinking alcohol altogether.

As a result, Vivitrol can help to reduce alcohol cravings and prevent relapse. While it’s known that alcohol can interfere with your ability to make decisions and overall alertness, mixing alcohol with Zoloft can add to this effect. Your ability to drive a car, motor skills, and judgment will be impaired far more when combining alcohol with Zoloft than if you were to drink alcohol alone. Zoloft (sertraline) is a prescription medication used for treating depression, specifically to treat major depressive disorder (MDD).

The more alcohol you consume, the higher the likelihood it’ll affect these neurotransmitters in the brain and worsen mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. SSRIs like Zoloft have the potential to interact with alcohol, increasing the risk of negative adverse effects, such as dizziness or sleepiness. When it comes to combining Zoloft (Sertraline) and alcohol, caution is strongly advised. Both Zoloft and alcohol can have effects on the central nervous system, and their interaction can be potentially dangerous. It’s important to follow the guidelines provided by the FDA and healthcare professionals to ensure your safety and well-being.

Alcohol poisoning can be dangerous and fatal, especially if a passed-out person can’t wake up. Speak to your doctor if you experience any side effects when taking this medication. Although serious side effects are rare, your doctor might need to adjust your prescription or offer you an alternative antidepressant. If you believe someone is developing a substance use disorder or trying to self-medicate for other health problems, reach out to a treatment center to get them help before it’s too late. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, it is generally recommended to avoid combining Zoloft and alcohol. However, if you choose to drink while taking Zoloft, it’s crucial to do taking zoloft with alcohol so in moderation and to be mindful of the potential consequences.

Blood Thinners

Researchers don’t yet understand exactly how GLP-1 drugs work for AUD, according to Dr. Leggio. “Scientific evidence suggests that these mechanisms may be at least partially overlapping with those regulating food craving and food seeking,” he says. The BNF online guide also warns of the risk of central nervous system depression caused by alcohol and clozapine. It says the risks could range from sedation to unconsciousness, coma, respiratory depression, and cardiovascular depression. This means other medication has not helped reduce or control symptoms well enough.

Marisa Savic, PMHNP-BC is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who received her nursing and master’s degrees at the University of Pennsylvania. She is currently the National Lead Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at Eleanor Health and her clinical interests include therapeutic communication, evidence-based treatment and nonjudgmental care. Due to alcohol having these effects on mood and anxiety, drinking while taking an antidepressant may prevent it from working well at reducing those symptoms.

Ozempic and Wegovy Tied to Lower Risk of Alcohol Use Disorder

If you’re taking higher doses of Zoloft, you should be particularly careful. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like Zoloft, work by inhibiting serotonin reuptake, increasing its availability in the brain. In contrast, alcohol acts as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, potentially diminishing Zoloft’s effectiveness and leading to unpredictable interactions. Taken together, then, the risk of bleeding, including gastrointestinal bleeding, could increase. Check with your healthcare provider before taking an NSAID if you take Zoloft. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are an older class of drugs used to treat depression.

It can also lead to a higher potential for substance use disorders, suicidal thoughts, and overdose. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about the risks of alcohol consumption and promoting evidence-based strategies to reduce harmful alcohol use. WHO provides resources and guidelines for healthcare professionals and policymakers to address alcohol-related issues and minimize the negative impact of alcohol on public health. It can also increase the risk of long QT syndrome, although the risk is considered low.

One of the primary concerns when mixing Zoloft and alcohol is the potential for increased drowsiness and dizziness. Both Zoloft and alcohol can have sedative effects on the central nervous system, and combining the two can intensify these effects. This can increase the risk of accidents or injuries, especially when operating heavy machinery or driving.

Suicidal Behavior Risk

Many people trying to quit a substance end up relapsing as an attempt to escape the withdrawal symptoms, but this puts you at an increased risk of overdose. Instead of quitting alone, treatment facilities can support you through the process. Drinking alcohol while taking Zoloft may worsen symptoms of depression since it can counteract antidepressants. When combining them, you may feel that your prescribed Zoloft isn’t working, resulting in untreated depression.

It’s a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that affects serotonin levels in the brain. Drinking alcohol while taking Zoloft is a situation many individuals may encounter, as both Zoloft and alcohol consumption are relatively common. In conclusion, the decision to mix Zoloft and alcohol should not be taken lightly. Given the potential risks and consequences, seeking professional advice is essential. Healthcare providers can offer personalized guidance, monitor for adverse effects, and provide support for addressing mental health and substance use concerns.

Risk of Developing Serotonin Syndrome

American Addiction Centers has helped thousands find recovery, and we can help you, too. We’ll guide you through your treatment options, help you understand your insurance, and support you as you take the first steps toward a brighter future. Research has shown that combining alcohol with any antidepressant may be fatal, in some cases. This is because your liver may not be able to process all of the toxins present in your body when you combine the two. Zoloft, also known by its generic name sertraline, is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in the United States. If you are going on Zoloft, or any antidepressant, reducing your alcohol intake beforehand is important.

Effects of Mixing Zoloft and Alcohol

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely. Prior to her freelance career, Marks was a supervising producer of medical programming for Ivanhoe Broadcast News.

If you are struggling to reduce or stop drinking, reach out to an addiction specialist for more support. According to Nazeer, these negative interactions are more likely if you combine the two substances frequently — especially in large doses. That said, it’s still possible to experience any of these symptoms with just one use.