Sertraline is a medication used for different psychiatric disorders: depression, anxiety, obsessive or post-traumatic disorders, and it is common for a person suffering from these types of problems to be inclined to consume alcohol, even in an addictive way. But can this have serious consequences?
If you are interested in knowing what happens if you take sertraline and alcohol together, we invite you to read the following article by FastlyHeal.
Table of Contents
What is sertraline for
Sertraline is a drug that is part of the so-called ” serotonin reuptake inhibitors, “that is, they allow more serotonin in the brain. Serotonin serves to transmit impulses in neurons, and this effect is used to treat diseases such as :
- Depression with or without mania.
- Anxiety disorders.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder.
Other drugs in this group are citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine, and vilazodone.
The dose of sertraline can be 50 to 100 mg per day or according to the medical indication. It can be ingested with or without food, although it is recommended together with these because it improves its absorption.
Sertraline side effects
You may experience any of the following symptoms when you start using sertraline for a few weeks:
- Drowsiness.
- Dizziness
- Insomnia.
- Headache.
- Sexual dysfunction
- Agitation, nervousness.
- Nausea, vomiting
These side effects may not appear, are mild, or are too bothersome. In the latter case, you can talk with your doctor to assess what other medication options you can use.
Sertraline and alcohol: effects
Studies have been done on healthy people to determine what happens if you mix sertraline and alcohol. At doses of 200 mg of sertraline and alcohol, there was no evidence of an increase in the effects of alcohol. But as you can see, this study was done with controlled doses of sertraline and alcohol in healthy people, which is not usually the case for someone under treatment.
In hospital reality, it is common to receive patients in severe conditions who, consuming antidepressant drugs (such as sertraline), ingest large amounts of alcohol. The state can become very serious due to the depression of the nervous system: the person does not react, has difficulty breathing, and may even die for this reason. That is why taking sertraline and alcohol is strongly discouraged.
Among other effects that can appear if you drink alcohol and antidepressants are:
- Your ability to drive or be alert may be impaired.
- They can make symptoms of depression or anxiety worse.
- You may feel tired or sleepy.
- You can have insomnia or make it worse if you already have it.
- You can suffer or worsen sexual dysfunction problems.
Depression or anxiety problems can make you more inclined to suffer from addiction problems. Therefore, if you need to drink alcohol, you think you have a problem and do not know how to deal with it, you must consult a professional who can surely help you and give you the tools you need to get out of it.
On the other hand, sertraline can be used in depression and alcohol addiction cases since there are studies that show its usefulness in withdrawal syndromes, but this must be strictly monitored by medical personnel.
Can you stop taking sertraline to drink alcohol?
Definitely no, you should not stop taking the sertraline indicated by your doctor to drink alcohol, and this is the case for several reasons:
- Taking sertraline should be done daily since the body needs constant levels of this drug. If you skip doses, you may worsen your symptoms of depression or anxiety.
- The effects of sertraline on your body continue for a while, even when you do not take the pill at the indicated time. Therefore, you can still suffer the adverse effects of drinking alcohol together with antidepressants.
What happens in case of a sertraline overdose
When a person accidentally or on purpose ingests large amounts of sertraline, they should be treated vigorously:
- Correct ventilation and oxygenation must be maintained.
- Stomach lavage can be done.
- Activated charcoal (to inhibit the medication in the stomach) and a cathartic (to go to the belly) should be used.
- Vomiting should not be forced.
It is a reasonably safe medication and the doses ingested do not usually cause problems. The complication arises when consumed in combination with other medicines or with alcohol.
If you are being treated with sertraline, you should consult before taking another medication (indicated by your doctor and over-the-counter and even natural medicines). In the same way, if a professional is going to tell you to start with this, you should inform him about your remedies.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to What happens if I take sertraline and alcohol? We recommend that you enter our category of Medication and medical tests.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.