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 get drunk on Zoloft?
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.
Can I drink alcohol occasionally on Zoloft?
– Avoid alcohol completely while you take Zoloft. Even a single drink can interact with your medication and cause unwanted side effects. The combination of alcohol and Zoloft can cause side effects, and drinking alcohol can make your depression worse. In fact, if you have depression, your doctor will likely tell you not to drink alcohol even if you don’t take Zoloft.
Can you drink safely on 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.
Fill in our online insurance verification tool below.
How long do you have to be off Zoloft before drinking 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 ). 
Can I just quit Zoloft?
When stopping antidepressants such as Zoloft, people may begin to experience withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, headaches, mood changes, and anxiety. Sertraline, which is available under the brand name Zoloft, is an antidepressant belonging to a group of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
It is one of the most common antidepressants a doctor may prescribe. When a person is ready to discontinue an antidepressant, they may experience withdrawal symptoms, which a doctor may refer to as discontinuation syndrome, Some research notes that roughly 20% of people may develop discontinuation symptoms following a reduction in dose.
Other sources suggest that up to 80% of people who abruptly stop antidepressants may experience withdrawal symptoms. Common discontinuation symptoms of stopping sertraline may include nausea, headaches, and tingling skin. For this reason, when a person decides to discontinue sertraline, they should discuss this with their doctor.
Is 400 mg of sertraline safe?
Frequently Asked Questions – Has anyone died from Zoloft? Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are associated with more potential for fatal overdose outcomes compared to SSRIs like Zoloft or other types of antidepressants. No cases have been reported of death after Zoloft ingestion alone, however, some fatalities have occurred with high doses of Zoloft paired with other substances.
Can you OD on 300 mg of Zoloft? Standard Zoloft dosing is between 50-200 mg per day, however, an overdose is possible even within that range. A dose of 300 mg of Zoloft would definitely lead to an overdose and should never be taken. What is it like to overdose on Zoloft? The most common symptoms of Zoloft overdose include tremor, lethargy, nausea, agitation, confusion, or vomiting.
If you have taken too much Zoloft, contact Poison Control or seek emergency care right away to avoid serious side effects. K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice.
