Author: James Anderson

Mixing Zoloft and alcohol: What are the risks?

Taking more than one drug at a time can increase your risk of negative interactions. In this case, alcohol can make the side effects of Zoloft worse. For people with depression and other mental health issues, medication can offer welcome relief. One drug commonly used to treat depression is sertraline (Zoloft). Due to this risk, doctors will usually avoid prescribing Zoloft liquid solution if you’re taking disulfiram.

An older study found that the combination did not cause significant impairment. But a 2014 study showed that it increased memory impairment, impulsivity, and violence in some people. Medical professionals generally advise against drinking alcohol while taking Zoloft.

What is Zoloft?

Drinking alcohol can make the antidepressants less effective and interfere with treatment. For SSRIs like Zoloft, alcohol can enhance these side effects further. It’s important to understand the risks before starting treatment. Heavy drinking can even send you in a downward spiral in terms of your mental health. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products.

But when you take medications that also affect how the brain works, such as Zoloft, drinking can complicate the effects. It is impossible for a doctor to estimate how much alcohol might be safe for someone taking Zoloft. Each person metabolizes alcohol and antidepressants differently, and a safe amount for one person may not be safe for another. If a person does decide to drink while taking Zoloft, they should do so with caution, and stop consuming alcohol if any adverse effects develop.

Zoloft Interactions: Alcohol, Medications, and Others

If you have other questions about taking Zoloft and Pepcid together, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Pepcid is used to treat heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other similar conditions that involve having too much stomach acid. If you have other questions about Zoloft and MAOIs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988.

1. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much (if any) is safe to consume while you’re taking Zoloft.
2. This could increase your risk of side effects, such as sleepiness.
3. Prioritize what’s best for your health, and choose options to help your well-being.
4. But when you take medications that also affect how the brain works, such as Zoloft, drinking can complicate the effects.

Measure the mixed medicine with the supplied syringe or the dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon). If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of sertraline on the baby. You should not use Zoloft if you are allergic to sertraline, or if you also take pimozide. Do not use Zoloft oral solution if you take disulfiram (Antabuse).

The interaction can be dangerous and even life threatening. If you have trouble avoiding alcohol, consult a healthcare provider or licensed therapist. Drinking alcohol while taking antidepressants can enhance the above side effects and cause additional reactions. Moreover, alcohol can negatively affect how antidepressants work.

Sometimes, Zoloft might cause side effects like feeling sick, dizzy, or tired, which may be enhanced by drinking alcohol. 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. Anyone taking any medication should try to prevent drug interactions. If a person is taking Zoloft, they should avoid drinking alcohol.

What other drugs will affect Zoloft?

Zoloft belongs to a group of drugs called SSRIs, which are antidepressants. Another similar group of antidepressants called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) interact with SSRIs (including Zoloft). With serotonin syndrome, you have a high level of a chemical called serotonin in your body. This can cause symptoms such as muscle rigidity, twitching muscles, and fast heart rate. In rare cases, serotonin syndrome can be life threatening. Certain health conditions or other factors could raise your risk of harm if you take Zoloft.

For this reason, it’s still important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking Zoloft. If you need more than one treatment for your depression, your doctor can prescribe another drug that’s safe to take with Zoloft. If you need more than one medication to treat your depression, your doctor can tell you more about other antidepressants that are safe to use with Zoloft. Wellbutrin and Zoloft are both antidepressants, but Wellbutrin works differently than Zoloft. Plus, in addition to treating depression, Wellbutrin is also used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The chart below lists drugs that may interact with Zoloft.

During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988. 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. Joining a support group or a 12-step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous may help. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

Does my health history affect whether I should take Zoloft?

Even if you take Zoloft for a condition other than depression, it still may not be safe for you to drink alcohol. You may still have the risk of increased depression from alcohol. This is because depression is a common symptom of other related health problems, such as OCD and PTSD, that Zoloft treats. Drinking alcohol can have these effects on your brain whether you take medication or not.