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. However, some people who take Zoloft find that they can drink small amounts of alcohol without negative effects. 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.

1. It’s the perfect starting point to help you uncover your hidden beliefs about alcohol and take the first step to weakening your craving.
2. When the substances are taken at the same time, they can cause potentiation, which is when symptoms become more intense.
3. There is a strong link between alcohol use and depression, a mental health condition that includes feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, fatigue, loss of interest, and more.
4. A person taking a medication with sedating properties and then adding alcohol may blackout if they aren’t aware of this fact.
5. Contact a healthcare provider if you are experiencing unwanted or severe side effects, such as signs of serotonin syndrome or worsening mental health (such as suicidal thoughts).

Table 1. Common Antidepressants

In the short term, drinking alcohol can make you feel good, sociable, and even euphoric. However, alcohol can make these feelings and other symptoms worse over time, perpetuating the cycle of alcohol consumption and depression. MAOIs include Emsam® (selegiline), Marplan® (isocarboxzaid), Nardil® (phenelzine), and amphetamine addiction Parnate® (tranylcypromine). The FDA specifically warns against mixing high amounts of a substance called tyramine (found in many types of fermented alcohol, such as beer and wine) with MAOIs. This is because MAOIs prevent the breakdown of tyramine in the body, which can cause a sudden increase in blood pressure.

Should You Drink While Taking Antidepressants?

SNRIs are one of the most commonly prescribed types of antidepressants. They are used to treat symptoms of major depression, mood disorders, and occasionally attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, menopause, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain. SNRIs work by increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which help to stabilize mood. In many cases, one of the more tangible ways to support your mental health and reduce the likelihood of increased mental and physical health issues is to address the alcohol abuse problem and stop drinking all together.

Generic for Zoloft®

You can monitor the likelihood of experiencing symptoms of drowsiness and alertness after drinking alcohol if you already know how your antidepressant affects you. A drink a day for women or two drinks per day for men is unlikely to cause serious side effects when mixed with antidepressants. It’s important that your doctor can assess your case before you start drinking while taking a prescription.

Bipolar disorder and alcohol: It’s not as simple as ‘self-medication,’ says study

In some cases, however, antidepressants cause side effects that don’t go away. One possible side effect of Zoloft is an increase in suicidal behavior and thinking. This is serious, and it can heighten when a person taking this medication also consumes alcohol. The interaction esgic butalbital acetaminophen and caffeine capsules can cause depression, which may hinder the effectiveness of an antidepressant. In some people it can, for example, cause oversedation and a higher risk of suicidal behavior. Alcohol consumption can lead to feelings of depression due to chemical reactions.

So your genes may, at least in part, determine whether a certain antidepressant will work well for you and whether you’re likely to have certain side effects. Fatigue and drowsiness are common, especially during early weeks of treatment with an antidepressant. It is common for people with alcohol dependence to also have depression. Research shows adolescents and young adults in the United States experience depression symptoms at a higher rate than other age groups, people at any age can get depression. These chemicals work in different ways to help with your mental and physical well-being. Most antidepressants work by increasing the low levels of these important neurotransmitters.

Although antidepressants may not cure depression, they can reduce symptoms. But if it doesn’t relieve your symptoms or it causes side effects that bother you, you may need to try another. Although not enough research has been conducted to verify these hypotheses, there is clear evidence that some people are more drawn to alcohol consumption while on antidepressants. Findings among tests with rats indicated that although various antidepressants initially reduced chances of alcohol consumption, after a few weeks, alcohol consumption significantly increased. Different types of antidepressants have different reactions when combined with alcohol. In general, the safest class is thought to be the SSRIs as well as the SNRIs.

Neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) targeted by antidepressants include serotonin, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) or norepinephrine. Though depression is experienced by many, it can often go undiagnosed and untreated. You don’t have to battle the depression alone and relying on alcohol to make you feel better will only cause further pain. Reach out to a mental health professional to talk about treatment and strategies for dealing with depression. You may not want to risk feeling even more depressed or anxious than you were before you took an antidepressant.

Antidepressants are one of the most commonly prescribed psychoactive substances in the U.S. Eleven percent of people ages 12 and older take an antidepressant, and it is the third most commonly used prescription drug among all adults. Among the year old age group, it is the number one prescribed drug in use. If this medication isn’t working for you, discuss your options with a healthcare provider to find the best treatment possible. 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.

It acts on an inhibitory neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA makes nerves cells less able to send, receive, or create signals. Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. SNRIs may not be suitable if you have a history of heart disease or you have poorly controlled high blood pressure (hypertension).

While alcohol might make a person feel better for a short while, it can make them feel worse in the long run. During and within two weeks after treatment with MAOIs, you must NOT consume any foods or beverages that are high in tyramine content. When MAOIs are combined with alcoholic beverages high in tyramine, serious heart-related effects, such as dangerous high blood pressure (called a hypertensive crisis), may occur. Many foods may be high in tyramine as well, like such as aged cheeses and cured meats. There are several types (classes) of antidepressants, but they all work a bit differently.

Yet, our misguided beliefs shape our perceptions, and our perceptions fuel our desires. Alcohol can also impact the body’s ability to make the most of the food people consume. Even among those who don’t drink heavily, some will experience diarrhea and cramping. For instance, the ultimate guide to microdosing psychedelics patients who see alcohol as a tool to get to sleep or calm anxiety may be best off focusing on keeping their alcohol use low and stable, and avoid bingeing. Others may see the new findings as important for resisting peer pressure to binge drink during social situations.

Whether you’re experiencing depression or not, it’s essential to evaluate your drinking habits and consider why you drink, when you drink, and how you feel when you drink. Individuals diagnosed with clinical depression should be extremely cautious when it comes to using substances such as alcohol. According to Kennedy, for those taking antidepressants, combining them with alcohol can reduce their efficacy.

This article will explore the effects of combining alcohol and antidepressants like Zoloft. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Consuming alcohol while taking antidepressants may prevent you from experiencing the benefits of antidepressants. It can also cause symptoms of apathy toward previously enjoyable activities, difficulty making decisions, physical issues, and thoughts of self-harm and suicide. Both Zoloft and alcohol are central nervous system depressants, meaning that they slow or suppress brain activity. This can be dangerous, and in severe cases, it can cause slowed breathing, coma, and death.