Oversedation – Both Zoloft and alcohol are central nervous system depressants, meaning that they slow or suppress brain activity. In combination, the two can cause oversedation. This can be dangerous, and in severe cases, it can cause slowed breathing, coma, and death.
Contents
- 1 Can I drink while taking Zoloft?
- 2 What happens if you drink alcohol with sertraline?
- 3 What to do if I drank on Zoloft?
- 4 What should I avoid taking Zoloft?
- 5 How long do you have to be off sertraline to drink alcohol?
- 6 Does Zoloft make you gain weight?
- 7 What is the wet finger method?
- 8 Why is it better to take Zoloft at night?
Can I drink while taking Zoloft?
Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Zoloft? – Though there might not be an abundance of published evidence describing this specific combination, as with many prescription medications, there may be some contraindications to mixing the two. Zoloft interacts with the brain in a way that can alter certain cognitive processes—potentially impacting decision making, thinking clearly, and reaction times.
As such, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends not drinking alcohol while you take Zoloft.1 Alcohol can intensify Zoloft’s side effects, including sedation, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.2 In addition, health care providers recommend individuals with depression avoid alcohol anyway since alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant and drinking—especially heavily—can make symptoms worse.3 If you believe you or someone you love may be struggling with an addiction to alcohol and are seeking help, call us today at If you are interested in alcohol rehab and are unsure about costs, insurance may be able to cover a portion of your treatment.
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What happens if you drink alcohol with sertraline?
How to Safely Drink on Zoloft – Indiana Center for Recovery How to Safely Drink on Zoloft? Sertraline is sold as an antidepressant medication known as Zoloft that is commonly used to treat mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder. It is a prescription drug that belongs to a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
- Other medications that fall under this class include Paxil,, Celexa, and,
- Zoloft works by changing how the brain cells reabsorb the neurotransmitter serotonin, blocking the brain’s serotonin receptors and causing more serotonin molecules to circulate.
- This hormone stabilizes an individual’s mood, and increased serotonin levels can benefit brain functions like mood, emotions, and sleep.
If you have been diagnosed with depression, social anxiety disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder and are taking Zoloft, you may wonder if alcohol consumption is okay. In general, doctors do not recommend the combination of alcohol with a drug like sertraline because it can intensify the common side effects of Zoloft, such as dizziness, sedation, and difficulty concentrating, which can lead to dangerous consequences.
What to do if I drank on Zoloft?
The Dangers of a Zoloft-Alcohol Interaction – Both Zoloft and alcohol are drugs. Anytime you take two drugs together, there is a risk of negative interactions. That’s especially true when one of the drugs has not been prescribed (in this case, alcohol). There is already a list of possible side effects from Zoloft alone.
Not only does the risk for typical Zoloft side effects increase when you mix the drug with alcohol, but the interaction can also affect your mental health. Warning signs of a Zoloft-alcohol interaction include: ● Respiratory distress (slowed breathing) ● Extreme sedation ● Headaches ● Suicidal thoughts Not everyone experiences side effects from mixing Zoloft and alcohol, especially if you drink alcohol in small quantities.
However, if you took your prescribed dosage of sertraline after having one or more drinks, ask a friend or family member to monitor you. If you have indulged in heavy drinking on Zoloft, seek emergency medical assistance. You may experience severe side effects or have suicidal thoughts.
What happens if you drink alcohol on antidepressants?
The combination of antidepressants and alcohol will affect your judgment, coordination, motor skills and reaction time more than alcohol alone. Some combinations may make you sleepy. This can impair your ability to drive or do other tasks that require focus and attention. You may become sedated or feel drowsy.
Can I skip a day of Zoloft to drink?
It’s important not to skip a dose of Zoloft just so that you can drink alcohol. Missing doses of an SSRI can cause withdrawal symptoms, which can include: Flu-like symptoms, like muscle aches and tiredness.
Can I skip a day of Zoloft?
MISS A DOSE? Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of ZOLOFT at the same time.
Can I drink a little on sertraline?
– The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns against drinking alcohol while taking Zoloft because the two can cause similar side effects and dangerous interactions. Moreover, alcohol can worsen the symptoms of depression, which may make any antidepressant less effective and increase the risk of suicidal behavior.
What should I avoid taking Zoloft?
What Should I Avoid While Taking Sertraline? – Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking antidepressant medications. They may decrease the benefits (e.g., worsen your condition) and increase adverse effects (e.g., sedation) of the medication.
How long do you have to be off sertraline to drink alcohol?
FAQs about Zoloft and alcohol – Here are some common questions you may have about taking Zoloft with alcohol. There’s no safe amount of time of day to drink alcohol if you’re taking Zoloft. In fact, even if you stop taking Zoloft, it’ll take 5–6 days for your last dose to be cleared from your body.
If you’re an older adult (age 65 years or older) or have liver problems, it may take longer (Pfizer, 2016). It’s not recommended to skip doses of your antidepressant. You shouldn’t temporarily or suddenly stop taking Zoloft or any medication without consulting your healthcare provider. Skipping doses of antidepressants can make them less effective for your depression or anxiety.
Also, suddenly stopping Zoloft can cause withdrawal symptoms that you may not want to happen, especially during your vacation. Withdrawal symptoms can include nausea, sweating, mood changes, irritability, dizziness, electric shock-like sensations, anxiety, confusion, headache, trouble sleeping, ringing in the ears, or seizures (Pfizer, 2016).
If you take Zoloft, it’s not likely that one serving of alcohol will be life-threatening. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), examples of one serving of alcohol include a 12-ounce beer (5% alcohol-by-volume or ABV), a 5-ounce glass of wine (12% ABV), or 1.5 ounces of liquor (40% ABV) ( CDC, 2021 ).
However, the problem is that having one alcoholic beverage can lead to more. Drinking alcohol is known to impair your judgment and may lead to choices that you wouldn’t make if you were sober. It’s also known that excessive alcohol use itself can be dangerous and is responsible for more than 95,000 deaths in the United States every year ( Esser, 2020 ). 
Is 50mg of Zoloft a lot?
Dosing – The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- For oral dosage forms (solution or tablets):
- For depression:
- Adults—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) once a day, taken either in the morning or evening. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 200 mg per day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For obsessive-compulsive disorder:
- Adults and teenagers—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) once a day, taken either in the morning or evening. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 200 mg per day.
- Children 6 to 12 years of age—At first, 25 mg once a day, taken either in the morning or evening. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 200 mg per day.
- Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, or social anxiety disorder:
- Adults—At first, 25 milligrams (mg) once a day, taken either in the morning or evening. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 200 mg per day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For premenstrual dysphoric disorder:
- Adults—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) once a day throughout your menstrual cycle or just during the premenstrual time. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 150 mg per day throughout your menstrual cycle or 100 mg per day if you are only taking it during your premenstrual time.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For depression:
Is 100 mg of Zoloft a lot?
The maximum Zoloft dosage for intermittent dosing is 100 mg per day.
Is it OK to have one drink on antidepressants?
Generally, drinking alcohol while taking antidepressants is not advised. Alcohol can make depression worse, and also increase the severity of antidepressant side effects. It’s generally recommended that people on antidepressants abstain from alcohol, especially if they will be driving or operating heavy machinery.
Can I skip my antidepressant to drink?
Can I Skip a Dose of My Antidepressant to Drink Alcohol? – In general, it’s not a good idea to skip doses of your antidepressant for any reason, including to drink alcohol. Most antidepressants are only effective when used consistently. While skipping a single dose of your medication may not seem like a major problem, it could temporarily make your depressive symptoms return and increase your risk of experiencing a longer-term relapse, according to the Canadian Medical Association Journal,
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- Headache
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Lightheadedness
- Sensory disturbances
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Aggression
These antidepressant withdrawal effects may be more severe when they’re combined with the effects of alcohol. online psychiatrist prescriptions
Are any antidepressants safe to drink on?
There are no antidepressants that are completely safe when taken with alcohol. Some providers may say that light to moderate drinking is OK while taking certain antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), and escitalopram (Lexapro).
Does Zoloft make you gain weight?
– Antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers are common drugs that have the most potential to increase weight gain. All 12 of the leading antidepressants, including fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and escitalopram (Lexapro), make gaining weight more likely.
With approximately 13 percent of Americans currently taking antidepressants — and without medication options that don’t cause fluctuations in weight — a lot of people can’t avoid being put at higher risk for unhealthy weight gain. Steroids like prednisone may also have similar effects. Alanna Cabrero, MS, a registered dietician at NYU Langone Health’s IBD Center, says steroids are often “used to tackle inflammatory conditions like IBD, Crohn’s, arthritis, lupus, and osteoarthritis.” For some of these medications, nearly 70 percent of users reported weight gain as a side effect.
Can I Drink Alcohol with Sertraline? Antidepressants and Drinking
You might assume that you’d notice the pounds sliding on right away if your body is sensitive to this side effect. But a recent study found that isn’t the case. People taking antidepressants are most at risk for weight gain two to three years into treatment.
Antidepressants, such as:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), citalopram (Celexa), and paroxetine (Paxil) serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, including duloxetine ( Cymbalta ) and venlafaxine (Effexor) tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), including desipramine (Norpramin)
Corticosteroids, such as:
budesonide, including Pulmicort and Symbicort prednisone methylprednisolone
Drugs commonly prescribed for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, such as:
olanzapine risperidone quetiapine
Why is it better to take Zoloft at night?
You can take it either in the morning or evening, depending on your lifestyle and any side effects you experience. For example, if sertraline makes you drowsy, taking it at night might be your best choice. It’s important that you establish a set time to take this medication every day and follow that schedule.
What is the wet finger method?
FAQs About Effexor Withdrawal and Detox – What is the wet finger method for Effexor withdrawal? The wet finger method for Effexor withdrawal is a nonscientific way to taper the drug if you take the capsule form. The wet finger method cannot be used if you take an Effexor tablet.
- Open the Effexor capsule and pour the contents (small beads) into a small bowl.
- On days one through three, wet your finger and touch the beads three times, removing them from the bowl. Consume the remaining beads.
- On days four through nine, wet your finger and touch the beads five times, removing them from the bowl. Consume the remaining beads.
- On days 10 through 14, wet your finger and touch the beads seven times, removing them from the bowl. Consume the remaining beads.
If you develop withdrawal symptoms at any time, you should stop the taper and talk to your doctor. Can you stop Effexor cold turkey? You should never stop Effexor cold turkey. If your doctor agrees with you stopping Effexor, you will likely be instructed to taper the dose, or slowly decrease it over time.
- This will help prevent withdrawal symptoms.
- Are there any natural remedies for Effexor withdrawal symptoms? There are no proven natural remedies for Effexor withdrawal symptoms.
- The withdrawal symptoms are due to an imbalance in the brain’s level of serotonin, which needs to correct itself over time.
- The best thing to do is to talk to your doctor.
This is also helpful because your doctor needs to monitor the mental health symptoms that caused you to be prescribed Effexor in the first place. Restarting Effexor, even at a lower dose, can ease or eliminate withdrawal symptoms.
How do you know if Zoloft is too high?
If your prescription dosage is too high (which is rare), you may feel physically ill, more anxious, or experience reduced libido. Talk with your provider if you’re concerned that your antidepressant isn’t working well for you.
Is 75mg of Zoloft a lot?
Dosage in Patients with MDD, OCD, PD, PTSD, and SAD – The recommended initial dosage and maximum ZOLOFT dosage in patients with MDD, OCD, PD, PTSD, and SAD are displayed in Table 1 below. A dosage of 25 mg or 50 mg per day is the initial therapeutic dosage.
| Indication | Starting Dose | Therapeutic Range |
| Adults | ||
| MDD | 50 mg | 50-200 mg |
| OCD | 50 mg | |
| PD, PTSD, SAD | 25 mg | |
| Pediatric Patients | ||
| OCD (ages 6-12 years old) | 25 mg | 50-200 mg |
| OCD (ages 13-17 years old) | 50 mg |
What should I avoid taking Zoloft?
What Should I Avoid While Taking Sertraline? – Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking antidepressant medications. They may decrease the benefits (e.g., worsen your condition) and increase adverse effects (e.g., sedation) of the medication.
Why is it better to take Zoloft at night?
You can take it either in the morning or evening, depending on your lifestyle and any side effects you experience. For example, if sertraline makes you drowsy, taking it at night might be your best choice. It’s important that you establish a set time to take this medication every day and follow that schedule.
Is 50mg of Zoloft a lot?
Dosing – The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- For oral dosage forms (solution or tablets):
- For depression:
- Adults—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) once a day, taken either in the morning or evening. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 200 mg per day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For obsessive-compulsive disorder:
- Adults and teenagers—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) once a day, taken either in the morning or evening. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 200 mg per day.
- Children 6 to 12 years of age—At first, 25 mg once a day, taken either in the morning or evening. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 200 mg per day.
- Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, or social anxiety disorder:
- Adults—At first, 25 milligrams (mg) once a day, taken either in the morning or evening. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 200 mg per day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For premenstrual dysphoric disorder:
- Adults—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) once a day throughout your menstrual cycle or just during the premenstrual time. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 150 mg per day throughout your menstrual cycle or 100 mg per day if you are only taking it during your premenstrual time.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For depression:
