Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRisksSide EffectsAlcohol & DepressionSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Risks
Side Effects
Alcohol & Depression
Seeking Medical Care
Zoloft (sertraline) is an antidepressant prescribed to help people with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. It belongs to a group of medicines calledselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs.
SSRIs like Zoloft have the potential to interact with alcohol, increasing the risk of negative adverse effects, such as dizziness or sleepiness. For this reason, you should avoid drinking alcohol while using Zoloft.
This article will explore the effects of combining alcohol and antidepressants like Zoloft.
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Alcohol & Antidepressants: What Are the Risks?
Every medication has side effects. For SSRIs like Zoloft, alcohol can enhance these side effects further. It’s important to understand the risks before starting treatment.
In general, side effects of Zoloft include:
Drinking alcohol while taking antidepressants can enhance the above side effects and cause additional reactions. Moreover, alcohol can negatively affect how antidepressants work. Drinking alcohol can make the antidepressants less effective and interfere with treatment.
Besides reducing effectiveness, alcohol can make you feel more tired, dizzy, or sick when consumed with antidepressants.
Alcohol can also affect mood. Furthermore, mixing alcohol and Zoloft can lead to trouble reacting and thinking clearly.
Safety WarningZoloft is associated with serotonin syndrome, a rare but severe side effect that can occur while taking an SSRI. Serotonin syndrome occurs due to having too much serotonin. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include anxiety, restlessness, confusion, tremor, and delirium.SSRIs like Zoloft also come with a boxed warning due to the increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors when used in adolescents and young adults.If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911. For more mental health resources, see theNational Helpline Database.
Safety Warning
Zoloft is associated with serotonin syndrome, a rare but severe side effect that can occur while taking an SSRI. Serotonin syndrome occurs due to having too much serotonin. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include anxiety, restlessness, confusion, tremor, and delirium.SSRIs like Zoloft also come with a boxed warning due to the increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors when used in adolescents and young adults.If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911. For more mental health resources, see theNational Helpline Database.
Zoloft is associated with serotonin syndrome, a rare but severe side effect that can occur while taking an SSRI. Serotonin syndrome occurs due to having too much serotonin. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include anxiety, restlessness, confusion, tremor, and delirium.
SSRIs like Zoloft also come with a boxed warning due to the increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors when used in adolescents and young adults.
If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911. For more mental health resources, see theNational Helpline Database.
Can You Drink Alcohol Safely While Taking Zoloft?
You may wonder whether there is a safe way to drink alcohol while taking Zoloft.
Limited research exists on how drinking small amounts of alcohol with Zoloft will affect you. Moreover, alcohol and Zoloft can affect each person differently.
In general, it’s not a good idea to consume alcohol while taking antidepressants. Therefore, it’s best to steer clear of alcohol altogether to be safe.
Is It Safe to Drink Alcohol With Lexapro?
Side Effects of Mixing Alcohol & Zoloft
Here are some possible side effects of mixing alcohol and Zoloft:
It’s very important to be careful about mixing alcohol with any medicine. To stay safe and make sure your medicine works the way it should, it’s best to avoid alcohol while you’re taking Zoloft. If you have any questions or concerns, it’s always a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider.
Does Alcohol Affect Depression?
Yes, alcohol use can affect depression.
Several factors can contribute to depression, including brain chemistry imbalance, genetics, life events, and negative thought patterns. However, drinking alcohol can exacerbate symptoms of depression.
The more alcohol you consume, the higher the likelihood it’ll affect these neurotransmitters in the brain and worsen mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.
Some people may turn to alcohol to cope with feelings associated with depression or just the occasional drink in social settings. However, there are plenty of alternatives to drinking alcohol.
Here are some options:
Remember, the key is to find activities that you enjoy and that align with your interests and values. Prioritize what’s best for your health, and choose options to help your well-being.
Find HelpIf you or a loved one is struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
Find Help
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
When to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
Zoloft is one of many antidepressants. If this medication isn’t working for you, discuss your options with a healthcare provider to find the best treatment possible.
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).
People with depression may turn to alcohol to try to feel better in the short term; however, alcohol can worsen their condition. If you find it difficult to avoid drinking, you should reach out to your provider for guidance. Considerbehavioral therapiesto learn about coping with stress without using alcohol, or seek outsupport groups.
Summary
Alcohol can also make a person’s anxiety and depression worse, which is why it’s beneficial to avoid drinking alcohol if you have a mental health condition.
If you have trouble avoiding alcohol, consult a healthcare provider or licensed therapist.
The author would like to recognize and thank Norma Ponce, PharmD, MHA, for contributing to this article.
3 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.DailyMed.Zoloft label.Graham K, Massak A.Alcohol consumption and the use of antidepressants.CMAJ. 2007;176(5):633-637. doi:10.1503/cmaj.060446McHugh 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
3 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.DailyMed.Zoloft label.Graham K, Massak A.Alcohol consumption and the use of antidepressants.CMAJ. 2007;176(5):633-637. doi:10.1503/cmaj.060446McHugh 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.
DailyMed.Zoloft label.Graham K, Massak A.Alcohol consumption and the use of antidepressants.CMAJ. 2007;176(5):633-637. doi:10.1503/cmaj.060446McHugh 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
DailyMed.Zoloft label.
Graham K, Massak A.Alcohol consumption and the use of antidepressants.CMAJ. 2007;176(5):633-637. doi:10.1503/cmaj.060446
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
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