Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAlcohol and LexaproSide Effects and RisksAlcohol and Mental Health
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Alcohol and Lexapro
Side Effects and Risks
Alcohol and Mental Health
Healthcare providers generally recommend avoiding drinking alcohol while taking Lexapro (escitalopram).Mixing Lexapro and alcohol can potentially increase side effects and reduce how well the medication works.
If you have any questions or concerns about how alcohol may interact with your medication, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
This article will discuss the risks associated with consuming alcohol with Lexapro and other antidepressants.
Getty Images / Joe Raedle / Staff
Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Lexapro?
It is not recommended to drink alcohol while taking Lexapro or other SSRIs.
While no clinical trials show that Lexapro enhances the effects of alcohol, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a risk associated with mixing the two.
Mixing alcohol with Lexapro can boost the risk of side effects of the medication, potentially resulting in:
Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.
If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, call or text988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor.If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, call911. For more mental health resources, see theNational Helpline Database.
If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, call or text988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, call911. For more mental health resources, see theNational Helpline Database.
Is Moderate Drinking OK With Lexapro?
There is limited research on the effects of mixing Lexapro and alcohol. Therefore, healthcare providers generally advise not to mix the two, even in small amounts.
Either substance can make you drowsy, less alert, and uncoordinated. When taken together, the side effects associated with Lexapro can become increased.
Some healthcare providers may advise you to keep your drinking to a moderate level. “Moderate” drinking refers to one or two drinks per day, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, 1 ounce of 80-proof whiskey, or 1 ounce of 100-proof spirits.
If you feel drowsy, dizzy, and less alert on Lexapro alone, you will likely not be able to tolerate the combined effects of alcohol.
Don’t skip a dose or stop taking Lexapro so that you can drink. Lexapro requires a consistent, daily dose to build up in your body over time and work as intended.
Abruptly stopping Lexapro can cause side effects, including:
It is important to consult your healthcare provider before stopping any of your medications.
Side Effects of Mixing Lexapro and Alcohol
However, the manufacturer of Lexapro still recommends against mixing the two.This is because alcohol has many risks on its own, and when taken with Lexapro, side effects of the medication can become more severe and more likely to happen.
Mixing alcohol and Lexapro can lead to several potential side effects, including:
Alcohol use disorderis more common among people who are diagnosed with depression, and people with alcohol use disorder are at increased risk of depression.
How alcohol affects your depression and anxiety symptoms may depend on how much you drink and your individual response to it.
In the long term, alcohol use can make depression and anxiety worse.This is because alcohol is a depressant.
If you or someone you know is taking Lexapro and having difficulty controlling their alcohol consumption, it is best to speak with their healthcare provider. They can provide advice on treatment options or refer you to appropriate care.
Summary
It is generally not recommended to drink alcohol while taking Lexapro, as this can put you at risk for potentially dangerous side effects.
Alcohol can worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression, making the medication less effective. Drinking while on Lexapro can also increase the risk of medication-related side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination. In addition, mixing Lexapro with alcohol can increase the risk ofliver damage,alcohol dependence,overdose, and evensuicide.
If you’re unsure about how Lexapro interacts with alcohol, please speak to your healthcare provider or pharmacist. If youfind it hard to abstain from alcohol, seek help from a healthcare professional immediately to avoid potential interactions and health risks.
Being honest with your healthcare provider can assist them in determining whether changing your drinking habits is necessary or if another medication is a better option for you.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Lexapro label.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.The healthcare professional’s core resource on alcohol: knowledge. impacts. strategies.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Harmful interactions: mixing alcohol with medications.Iranpour A, Nakhaee N.A review of alcohol-related harms: a recent update.Addict Health.2019 Apr;11(2):129-137. doi: 10.22122/ahj.v11i2.225.Ramsey SE, Engler PA, Stein MD.Alcohol use among depressed patients: the need for assessment and intervention.Prof Psychol Res Pr. 2005;36(2):203-207. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.36.2.203.LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012-.Citalopram.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Medication FAQ: Can I drink alcohol while taking antidepressants?U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025. 9th Edition, Washington, DC; 2020.Ng QX, Yong CSK, Loke W, Yeo WS, Soh AYS.Escitalopram-induced liver injury: A case report and review of literature.World J Hepatol. 2019;11(10):719-724. doi:10.4254/wjh.v11.i10.719Rudenstine S, Espinosa A, Kumar A.Depression and anxiety subgroups across alcohol use disorder and substance use in a national epidemiologic study.J Dual Diagn. 2020;16(3):299-311. doi:10.1080/15504263.2020.1784498McHugh RK, Weiss RD.Alcohol use disorder and depressive disorders.Alcohol Res.2019;40(1):arcr.v40.1.01. doi: 10.35946/arcr.v40.1.01.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Lexapro label.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.The healthcare professional’s core resource on alcohol: knowledge. impacts. strategies.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Harmful interactions: mixing alcohol with medications.Iranpour A, Nakhaee N.A review of alcohol-related harms: a recent update.Addict Health.2019 Apr;11(2):129-137. doi: 10.22122/ahj.v11i2.225.Ramsey SE, Engler PA, Stein MD.Alcohol use among depressed patients: the need for assessment and intervention.Prof Psychol Res Pr. 2005;36(2):203-207. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.36.2.203.LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012-.Citalopram.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Medication FAQ: Can I drink alcohol while taking antidepressants?U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025. 9th Edition, Washington, DC; 2020.Ng QX, Yong CSK, Loke W, Yeo WS, Soh AYS.Escitalopram-induced liver injury: A case report and review of literature.World J Hepatol. 2019;11(10):719-724. doi:10.4254/wjh.v11.i10.719Rudenstine S, Espinosa A, Kumar A.Depression and anxiety subgroups across alcohol use disorder and substance use in a national epidemiologic study.J Dual Diagn. 2020;16(3):299-311. doi:10.1080/15504263.2020.1784498McHugh RK, Weiss RD.Alcohol use disorder and depressive disorders.Alcohol Res.2019;40(1):arcr.v40.1.01. doi: 10.35946/arcr.v40.1.01.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Food and Drug Administration.Lexapro label.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.The healthcare professional’s core resource on alcohol: knowledge. impacts. strategies.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Harmful interactions: mixing alcohol with medications.Iranpour A, Nakhaee N.A review of alcohol-related harms: a recent update.Addict Health.2019 Apr;11(2):129-137. doi: 10.22122/ahj.v11i2.225.Ramsey SE, Engler PA, Stein MD.Alcohol use among depressed patients: the need for assessment and intervention.Prof Psychol Res Pr. 2005;36(2):203-207. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.36.2.203.LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012-.Citalopram.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Medication FAQ: Can I drink alcohol while taking antidepressants?U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025. 9th Edition, Washington, DC; 2020.Ng QX, Yong CSK, Loke W, Yeo WS, Soh AYS.Escitalopram-induced liver injury: A case report and review of literature.World J Hepatol. 2019;11(10):719-724. doi:10.4254/wjh.v11.i10.719Rudenstine S, Espinosa A, Kumar A.Depression and anxiety subgroups across alcohol use disorder and substance use in a national epidemiologic study.J Dual Diagn. 2020;16(3):299-311. doi:10.1080/15504263.2020.1784498McHugh RK, Weiss RD.Alcohol use disorder and depressive disorders.Alcohol Res.2019;40(1):arcr.v40.1.01. doi: 10.35946/arcr.v40.1.01.
Food and Drug Administration.Lexapro label.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.The healthcare professional’s core resource on alcohol: knowledge. impacts. strategies.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Harmful interactions: mixing alcohol with medications.
Iranpour A, Nakhaee N.A review of alcohol-related harms: a recent update.Addict Health.2019 Apr;11(2):129-137. doi: 10.22122/ahj.v11i2.225.
Ramsey SE, Engler PA, Stein MD.Alcohol use among depressed patients: the need for assessment and intervention.Prof Psychol Res Pr. 2005;36(2):203-207. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.36.2.203.
LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012-.Citalopram.
National Alliance on Mental Illness.Medication FAQ: Can I drink alcohol while taking antidepressants?
U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025. 9th Edition, Washington, DC; 2020.
Ng QX, Yong CSK, Loke W, Yeo WS, Soh AYS.Escitalopram-induced liver injury: A case report and review of literature.World J Hepatol. 2019;11(10):719-724. doi:10.4254/wjh.v11.i10.719
Rudenstine S, Espinosa A, Kumar A.Depression and anxiety subgroups across alcohol use disorder and substance use in a national epidemiologic study.J Dual Diagn. 2020;16(3):299-311. doi:10.1080/15504263.2020.1784498
McHugh RK, Weiss RD.Alcohol use disorder and depressive disorders.Alcohol Res.2019;40(1):arcr.v40.1.01. doi: 10.35946/arcr.v40.1.01.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
