The Effects of Drinking Alcohol While Taking Lexapro

If you or someone you know is exhibiting these signs, it’s essential to seek professional help. Facing legal issues due to alcohol abuse can be a daunting experience, especially for professionals and parents. This comprehensive guide aims to provide actionable steps for alcohol treatment and…

Especially things like feeling fatigued and having trouble with sexual arousal. Since alcohol can have the same effect on some people, the two drugs together can have a much stronger effect. At the same time, depressants aren’t usually a good idea for people dealing with depression because they can make some of the symptoms of depression worse, both short-term and long-term. If you need a depressant effect to deal with a health problem, your doctor will prescribe a safer and more easily dosed depressant that doesn’t have as many negative side effects. Remember, your experience may differ, and the more additional medications you take, the more different side effects you might have when you drink alcohol.

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• These effects can be particularly hazardous in situations that require mental sharpness or physical coordination.
• If you’re unsure about how Lexapro interacts with alcohol, please speak to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
• Some OTC treatments, such as cough syrups, also contain small amounts of alcohol.
• This can lead to difficulty completing certain tasks, and can be extremely risky.
• Considering the long-term effects, alcohol can also trigger anxiety and depression while increasing the risk of suicide and self-harm.

Drinking alcohol may also worsen some of the side effects of Lexapro or other antidepressants, including drowsiness and dizziness. Medications like Xanax (alprazolam), which are often prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders, can have their own set of risks when combined with alcohol. Once you stop taking Lexapro, it’s safe to drink alcohol after the medication is no longer affecting your thoughts and behavior. Antidepressants in particular can interact with alcohol, so it’s important to talk honestly with your healthcare provider about your drinking if they suggest you begin taking Lexapro.

Mental Health

Finding alternatives to alcohol while managing your mental health can be a breath of fresh air! 🌬️ Many people are on the lookout for enjoyable ways to cope or socialize without relying on drinking. Have you ever tried a fun non-alcoholic beverage when you’re out with friends? You’d be surprised at how many delicious mocktails and other options are available that can keep your spirits high without the risks of mixing Lexapro and alcohol. You may not want to risk feeling even more depressed or anxious than you were before you took an antidepressant.

One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1 ounce https://yourhealthmagazine.net/article/addiction/sober-houses-rules-that-you-should-follow/ of hard liquor. Similar to depression, anxiety symptoms can initially seem to be alleviated by alcohol. However, once the initial intoxication wears off, it frequently raises anxiety levels, which may eventually result in more frequent and severe anxiety. Developing alcohol use disorder can affect a person’s relationships and cause social problems, such as unemployment, divorce, and homelessness. Other serious side effects of mixing Lexapro with alcohol can include panic attacks, sudden outbursts of emotion or violence, and overdosing.

• People with almost any mental illness are more likely to become addicted to substances.
• While it can temporarily relax a person and improve their mood, it can have serious effects on mental health in the longer-term and can worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• Addiction is complicated, and spotting addition to alcohol is often harder in our society because of the widespread acceptance of alcohol use.
• In clinical tests, combining Lexapro with alcohol did not increase the mental or physical impairments caused by alcohol.
• SSRIs like Lexapro are among the safest classes of antidepressants, so they’re frequently prescribed.
• Given the risks, it’s crucial for individuals taking any anxiety medication, including Xanax, to be aware of the potential dangers of mixing these drugs with alcohol.

Alcohol is a depressant and can counteract the positive effects of Lexapro, worsening symptoms of depression or anxiety. Combining the two may also increase the risk of mood swings and emotional instability. If you’re considering having one drink, it’s important to consult both your doctor and pharmacist. They can explain how alcohol might interact with your medication and assess whether it’s safe for you. For some patients, even one drink is not advisable, particularly those with an alcohol use disorder, liver disease, or a history of severe depression.

Deeper Dive: The Science Behind Alcohol and Lexapro Interactions

However, if the drug works to manage your condition well, your doctor may say that it’s safe to have a drink from time to time. Your doctor may tell you to avoid drinking altogether while you’re on Lexapro. Lexapro is the brand-name version of escitalopram, a prescription medication that belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is used to treat major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Lexapro works by increasing serotonin levels to improve mood and decrease feelings of anxiety. Moderate drinking while on antidepressants can sometimes be tolerated, but it varies based on the specific medication and individual health factors.

Combining the two can enhance the sedative effects of Lexapro, leading to increased drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination. Additionally, alcohol can make depression worse and exacerbate symptoms of anxiety, counteracting the medication’s benefits. It may also increase the risk of side effects such as nausea and difficulty concentrating. If you’re considering consuming alcohol while on Lexapro, it’s essential to discuss this with your healthcare provider to ensure safe and effective treatment.

What happens if I drink alcohol while taking Lexapro?

If yes, we’ll connect you right to a clinician who can prescribe medication and have it shipped right to your door. K Health has clinicians standing by 24/7 to evaluate your symptoms and determine if Lexapro is right for you. Since Lexapro has a half-life of hours, a regular dose of Lexapro will leave your body after a little more than six days. SSRIs can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in younger adults and adolescents during the first few weeks of treatment.

Drinking alcohol, especially during the initial stages of taking Lexapro, can worsen potential side effects of the medication. “Until you know how your body will react to Lexapro, I would recommend avoiding alcohol altogether,” advises Dr. Pillow. How alcohol affects your depression and anxiety symptoms may depend on how much you drink and your individual response to it. Therefore, healthcare providers generally advise not to mix the two, even in small amounts. Once you have stopped using Lexapro, you may ideally start drinking once the medication has been out of your system and is no longer affecting your behavior and thoughts.

It is not recommended to drink alcohol while taking Lexapro or other SSRIs. Since Lexapro and alcohol have sedative properties, using them together can cause severe impairment of coordination and judgment. Consequently, a user may be at an increased risk of engaging in activities that cause them injury without realizing it. Always consult with your doctor beforehand to see whether drinking while taking Lexapro is safe for you. Some doctors think it’s OK to drink moderately if you take an SSRI like Lexapro. “Moderate drinking” means 2 drinks a day for Sober House Rules: What You Should Know Before Moving In men and 1 drink a day for women.

The danger of alcohol may also be greater depending on the dosage you take. If you take the maximum dosage for depression—20 mg of Lexapro—your risk of effects from Lexapro and alcohol may be even higher. This can lead to difficulty completing certain tasks, and can be extremely risky. “Given the additive effects alcohol and Lexapro can have on coordination, consuming both could potentially lead to dangers when operating a motor vehicle or heavy machinery,” says Poulakos. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. If you suspect that you or someone around you is developing serotonin syndrome, seek emergency help, as the condition can quickly progress to become life-threatening.

Risk of overdose

Alcohol addiction is relatively common in our culture, in part because alcohol is highly accepted and because there can be a lot of peer and professional pressure to engage in drinking. It’s also more likely to happen during the first few months of treatment and when your doctor changes your dosage. Because alcohol can make your depression worse, it can also lead to increased suicide risk.

Lexapro belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Unfortunately, the higher doses or additional medications can make drinking alcohol even riskier and the consequences more severe. No, it is not recommended to mix Lexapro and alcohol, as both psychiatrists make clear.

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 of liver damage, alcohol dependence, overdose, and even suicide. For those on Lexapro, a commonly prescribed antidepressant, drinking alcohol can amplify side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, and trouble concentrating. Imagine trying to tackle your daily tasks while feeling like you’re walking through a fog.