Are There Side Effects of Mixing Zoloft & Alcohol?

Side Effects of Mixing Zoloft & Alcohol

When you take medication every day, it may become something you do without even realizing it. Therefore, you may forget that some of your daily patterns may have to change. For example, you may think that going out and having a drink with friends isn’t a problem; however, if you’re on a medication like an antidepressant, there could be some major risks.

Drug Interactions With Alcohol

Ultimately, it is not recommended to drink alcohol while using any type of prescription or over-the-counter medication/drug. This is because mixing alcohol and medicine has the potential to cause dangerous side effects or change the way both substances work.

What Is Zoloft?

Zoloft is the brand name for sertraline, a prescription antidepressant. This SSRI makes sure more serotonin is present in the brain, therefore it is successful in easing the symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders.

The initial dosage of Zoloft is typically 20-50 mg. The side effects of the drug include weight loss, drowsiness, diarrhea, dizziness, headaches, dry mouth, sweating, nausea, cramps, weakness, and trembling.

What Happens If You Mix Zoloft With Alcohol?

Mixing Zoloft and alcohol causes the effects of both substances to occur, but more quickly and magnified than if you just took one of them on their own. In other words, Zoloft increases the impairments that are already made by alcohol and vice versa.

If someone mixes Zoloft and alcohol, they may experience the following symptoms:

Extremely upset stomach
Impaired judgement
Extremely impaired motor skills
Worsening depression
Dizziness
Headaches
Nausea
Drowsiness

Due to the intensity of the side effects when these two substances are mixed, alcohol and Zoloft should not interact.

Zoloft & Alcohol: Why They Shouldn’t Interact

The FDA advises against the combination of alcohol and Zoloft, primarily because both substances interact with the brain. Putting them together can increase the side effects of each, and alcohol limits the effect that Zoloft has on one’s depression or anxiety disorder.

Even one drink can cause these undesirable effects if you’re on Zoloft. Mixing the two may also risk overdose and alcohol poisoning, which may be life threatening. However, there may be some ways to prevent and treat the side effects that come from the interaction of alcohol and Zoloft.

How to Prevent Side Effects of Interactions

If you are taking or if you plan to take any type of medication, ask your doctor if it can interact with alcohol. If you have a mental health condition and are taking an antidepressant or other prescription drug, you should avoid alcohol altogether. You should also avoid alcohol if you have an underlying condition such as heart disease or high blood pressure.

Mixed Alcohol & Zoloft? What to Do Next

If you mixed alcohol & Zoloft and feel the side effects above, we recommend that you seek the help of a medical professional immediately. Depending on how much you drank and if you drink frequently, medically-supervised detox may be required. The doctor you see may be responsible for determining if any other treatment is necessary.

If you have any questions about interactions with Zoloft or other antidepressants, contact our team of mental health specialists by calling 267.719.8528.