Do not stop taking your medicine without contacting your prescriber first. Missing doses of sertraline may also increase the risk of your mental health symptoms or side effects returning. Sertraline belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. But drinking alcohol can also temporarily boost levels of serotonin in your brain — and when the serotonin levels in your body get too high, you may develop serotonin syndrome. Zoloft belongs to a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Zoloft (Sertraline) Uses, Side Еffects, Dosage
That said, it’s still possible to experience any of these symptoms with just one use. Understanding how alcohol can affect you while on Zoloft can help you make safer decisions. Whatever your reasons for mixing alcohol and Zoloft, you’re not alone, and you have options for support. Zoloft, also known by its generic name sertraline, is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in the United States. It’s also important to read the Zoloft label and other paperwork that may come with the drug.
What are the effects?
If you’re finding it hard to stop drinking and are concerned about your alcohol use, there are many forms of help out there. In addition to substance abuse counseling and treatment programs, there are many support groups including Alcoholics Anonymous and newer, online communities. Tell your doctor or mental health provider about your medical history and symptoms, as well as any alcohol, drug, or supplement use, so they can prescribe the best one for you. Always check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist for possible drug interactions. There are several types (classes) of antidepressants, but they all work a bit differently. Different classes of antidepressants may exhibit different and unique types of drug interactions, including those with alcohol, so it’s important to review each drug you are prescribed.
Mental Health
It is important to discuss аny sleep-related concerns with your doctor, as they may suggest adjusting the dosage or exploring alternative treatment options. It’s worth noting that insomnia may imprоve as your body adjusts to the medication, but if it persists or wоrsens, seek medical advice. Like any medication, Zoloft (Sertraline) can cаuse certain side effects. While not everyоne experiences these side effects, some common ones to be aware of include drowsiness, insomnia, nausea, headache, and diarrhea. These side effects are generally mild and tеnd to improve over time as your body аdjusts to the medication.
Usual Adult Dose for Social Anxiety Disorder
And the paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to find out whether you’re due for any vaccines. There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with Zoloft. However, that doesn’t mean vitamin interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Zoloft. Zoloft may interact with valerian root supplements, which some people take to treat anxiety and other conditions.
Do not stop using Zoloft suddenly, or you could have unpleasant symptoms (such as agitation, confusion, tingling or electric shock feelings). Zoloft is approved for use in children at least 6 years old, only to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder but not depression. The manufacturer of Zoloft also reports false-positive drug metabolism drugs urine immunoassay screening tests for benzodiazepines and state the finding is due to lack of specificity of the screening tests. False-positive test results for benzodiazepines may be expected for several days following discontinuation of Zoloft. Talk with your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.
While it may not be discussed often enough, combining this drug with alcohol can have some serious side effects. And with a large number of people experiencing both depression and alcohol dependence, the odds are high that you know someone at risk of mixing these two substances. Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Zoloft.
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. Furthermore, mixing alcohol and Zoloft can lead to trouble reacting and thinking clearly. Besides reducing effectiveness, alcohol can make you feel more tired, dizzy, or sick when consumed with antidepressants. A person should let their doctor know about any drugs or supplements that they take before starting Zoloft treatment. You should not use Zoloft if you are allergic to sertraline, or if you also take pimozide. Do not use Zoloft oral solution if you take disulfiram (Antabuse).
Blood thinners are taken to help prevent the formation of blood clots. To learn more about Zoloft and buspirone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If you have other questions about Zoloft oral solution and disulfiram, talk with your doctor. For additional information about Zoloft, including details about its uses, see this article.
Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If you’re taking an antidepressant — or any prescription drug, for that matter — it’s important to understand how alcohol might interact with your medication. And since 3 ways to pass a urine drug test can both affect your brain, mixing the two can come with risks. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome can include diarrhea, excessive sweating, and changes in blood pressure.
- Alcohol can temporarily increase serotonin and dopamine levels, which help regulate your mood.
- They work by blocking the brain’s serotonin receptors, causing more serotonin molecules to circulate.
- Elderly individuals may be at a higher risk of developing muscle problems, including low salt levels in the blоod.
- Any concerns or adverse effects observed should be reported to the healthcare provider immediatеly.
- Data sources include Micromedex (updated 4 Jun 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 3 Jun 2024), ASHP (updated 10 Jun 2024) and others.
Combining alcoholism: causes risk factors and symptoms can also increase your risk of serotonin syndrome. Older people are at particularly high risk for harmful alcohol–medication interactions. Aging slows the body’s ability to break down alcohol, so alcohol remains in a person’s system longer. Older people also are more likely to take a medication that interacts with alcohol—in fact, they often need to take more than one of these medications.
Your doctor will сarefully evaluate the potential risks and benefits of using Zoloft and monitor your liver function throughout the treatment. Individuals with livеr problems may have difficulty processing the medication, resulting in higher levels of Zoloft in the body, which can increаse the risk of side effects. It is important to be aware that Zoloft (Sertrаline) can increase the risk of seizures.
Any of these can become more common, or twice as extreme as a result of mixing these two substances. Tell your provider about any other medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications and supplements, to avoid negative drug interactions. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include Micromedex (updated 4 Jun 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 3 Jun 2024), ASHP (updated 10 Jun 2024) and others. Antidepressants are a large group of medications used to treat many different health conditions.
