From the FDA Drug Label
Patients should be told that although sertraline has not been shown in experiments with normal subjects to increase the mental and motor skill impairments caused by alcohol, the concomitant use of sertraline and alcohol is not advised Alcohol Although sertraline did not potentiate the cognitive and psychomotor effects of alcohol in experiments with normal subjects, the concomitant use of sertraline and alcohol is not recommended
Drinking alcohol may affect the use of SSRIs. While studies have shown that sertraline does not increase the mental and motor skill impairments caused by alcohol, concomitant use is not recommended. This suggests that caution should be exercised when using sertraline and alcohol together, as the combination may still pose some risks 1 1. Key points to consider:
- Sertraline does not potentiate the cognitive and psychomotor effects of alcohol
- Concomitant use of sertraline and alcohol is not advised
- Caution should be exercised when using sertraline and alcohol together
From the Research
Drinking alcohol can negatively affect the use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and should generally be avoided.
Key Points to Consider
- SSRIs such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), and citalopram (Celexa) can interact with alcohol in potentially harmful ways 2.
- Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that can worsen depression symptoms and reduce the effectiveness of antidepressant medications.
- When combined with SSRIs, alcohol can increase side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination, potentially leading to dangerous situations.
- Both alcohol and SSRIs affect liver function, and combining them increases the burden on your liver.
- Some SSRIs may also intensify the effects of alcohol, causing you to become intoxicated more quickly than expected.
- A study published in 2021 found that SSRIs can be effectively used for the treatment of depressive disorders in alcohol dependence, with fluvoxamine having the most favorable safety profile 3.
- However, another study published in 2016 found that SSRIs can increase sympathetic activity under heavy alcohol exposure in rat models, which could have implications for human health 4.
- It's best to discuss alcohol use with your healthcare provider, as individual responses can vary based on specific medications, dosages, and personal health factors.
- If you do choose to drink, do so very moderately and be aware of how your body responds to the combination.
Important Considerations
- The most recent and highest quality study on this topic is from 2021, which found that SSRIs can be effective in treating depressive disorders in alcohol dependence 3.
- However, the study also noted that the presence of an anticraving effect in SSRIs is confirmed, and that fluvoxamine has the most favorable safety profile.
- Overall, the evidence suggests that drinking alcohol can negatively affect the use of SSRIs, and that caution should be exercised when combining these substances.