Mixing Sertraline with Alcohol
Depression not only impacts your physical and mental health but can also lead to heart and respiratory problems. Symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness, difficulty concentrating, and digestive issues. Most people are aware of the effects of mood and behavior disorders on our mental health. However, few know its impact on a person’s physical health.
If you or a loved one is battling an addiction, seek help at The Recovery Team facility, where our medical professionals provide a personalized plan in a safe and secure environment that allows patients to recover from addiction with ease.
Doctors prescribe Sertraline as an antidepressant drug to treat behavior and depressive disorders like anxiety, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Sertraline belongs to the category of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SSRI is a group of antidepressants and is prescribed to treat clinical depression. Pharmacists also provide this medication to treat various conditions like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
If a patient is taking Sertraline more than the prescribed dose, it may lead to intolerable side effects and can also lead to withdrawal symptoms when not taken as prescribed. U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises being careful when taking Sertraline and recommend avoiding alcohol consumption when consuming antidepressants.
Alcohol can intensify Sertraline’s common side effects, such as drowsiness and inability to focus on a particular task. This is why healthcare providers advise individuals taking antidepressants to avoid alcohol.
How Does Sertraline Interact with Alcohol?
Alcohol can affect your central nervous system and your thinking ability. Symptoms of consuming alcohol include confusion, memory loss, difficulty in speaking, and drowsiness. A person unable to control their drinking habits may be diagnosed with alcohol dependence and alcohol use disorder.
When an individual with an alcohol addiction tries to control their drinking habits, they will likely experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. In our facility, it is our goal to provide the utmost comfort and compassion during this time. Our medical staff may also prescribe medications to help manage these symptoms to ease the process.
Sertraline is a central nervous system depressant used by patients with the premenstrual dysphoric disorder. This medication balances the normal serotonin uptake in the brain, which also results in an increased serotonin level. Sertraline helps users fall into a deep sleep, so it is advised to avoid any activity involving driving and heavy machinery.
The adverse effects of Sertraline on your central nervous system can become extreme when taken with alcoholic drinks. Below are the side effects of Zoloft and alcohol include:
- Memory impairment
- Nausea
- Unusual sweating
- Shaking
- Drowsiness
- Suicidal thoughts
- Risk of depression, anxiety, and PTSD increases
- Panic attacks
- Dizziness
Above mentioned side effects commonly occur, but there are specific symptoms that can lead to a medical emergency if not addressed. It is advised to contact a pharmacist or speak with your doctor before taking medication to learn about its interaction with other drugs. Serious side effects include suicidal thoughts and serotonin syndrome.
Serotonin Syndrome
Serotonin syndrome, also known as serotonin toxicity, is a life-threatening situation. This syndrome is linked with serotonergic activity in our central nervous system and occurs among patients who have depression and take antidepressants. Interactions between Sertraline and alcohol also increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. This syndrome occurs when more than an appropriate dose of medications that increase the serotonin molecule level is consumed.
If your body has a low level of serotonin, then the interaction between alcohol and Sertraline increases its level. Your body will not be able to handle a high level of serotonin which results in serotonin syndrome. This condition can cause nausea, tremor, nervousness, and diarrhea, resulting in fever and seizures in severe cases. This syndrome can end your life if you fail to recognize its symptoms.
Suicidal Thoughts
Alcohol consumption with Sertraline leads people to face mental and physical health challenges. A person then starts to experience suicidal thoughts. You can recognize physical symptoms in your friend or family who is having such thoughts as nervousness, annoyance, abrupt mood swings, panic attacks, excessive alcohol use, violent behavior, and excess substances that can harm them. They also talk about death and express regret about their past decision. If you notice such behavior that can lead them to commit suicide, seek help from our facility, where we provide individual therapy in a friendly atmosphere.
Dangers of Interaction between Sertraline and Alcohol
Zoloft is the most commonly prescribed antidepressant, and its generic medication is called Sertraline. Sertraline’s purpose is to reduce depressive symptoms. Major depressive disorder occurs due to low levels of serotonin. The neurotransmitter serotonin is a chemical in our brain that influences our emotions. Sertraline inhibits serotonin reuptake which increases its level in our brain.
Both Sertraline and alcohol can boost serotonin levels in your brain. Some mild side effects of Sertraline include nausea, excessive sleepiness, irregular appetite, and muscle and joints. Drinks that contain alcohol can maximize Sertraline’s side effects. Excessive alcohol can hinder the healing effects of Sertraline and can make previous symptoms of depression even worse.
If you are drinking wine and taking Sertraline, it can affect the healing process of medication and leads to extreme symptoms due to substance abuse. One of the severe symptoms of alcohol abuse and Sertraline include a slow heart rate. But when both of them are taken together, it can result in an extremely low heart rate, and in some conditions, it may stop your heartbeat.
Is Alcohol Combination with Sertraline Show Symptoms of an Alcoholic Person?
Taking alcohol with Sertraline may be a sign of a serious problem. People who do not receive proper medical attention for depression and anxiety are at higher risk of drug abuse. A person who is not treated for mental disorders mixes different substances like SSRIs with alcohol to escape from reality.
Support group therapies and treatment programs are helpful for people who desire to heal in a friendly environment. If your friend has a mental illness such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or substance use disorder, then get in touch with our treatment center. We offer various therapies to help them overcome drug addiction.
Antidepressants with alcoholic substances impact motor skills and reduce their ability to concentrate. Patients prescribed to take Sertraline usually find it difficult to avoid alcohol. They also suffer from withdrawal symptoms and can have physical side effects like seizures. Other than depression and anxiety, patients diagnosed with sleeping disorders should not mix Sertraline with alcohol, leading to a medical emergency.
Sertraline Interactions with Other Drugs
Prescription drugs can have severe side effects that can require medical attention. Before buying antidepressants like Sertraline, it is advised to gather information about its interaction and learn about it. Sertraline acts on nerve cells to reduce the symptoms of depressive disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
It is advised by doctors to avoid a glass of wine and other substances that can worsen its symptoms.
Sertraline Interaction with Abrocitnib
It is highly recommended that those taking Sertraline avoid combining the medication with alcohol. Sertraline affects the number of platelets, and their interaction can worsen any bleeding.
Contact the pharmacist if you need information regarding any drug and inform them about your diet, including vitamins, caffeine, and alcohol. If unusual bleeding, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting occur after interaction between them, seek medical attention immediately.
Sertraline Interaction with Alfentanil
Alfentanil mixed with Sertraline can increase the risk of a serious serotonin syndrome condition. This syndrome includes symptoms like hallucination, high and low blood pressure, tremor, and muscle pain. Interaction between Sertraline with Alfentanil can also result in coma and death. If you know someone who suffers from drug addiction, you can help them by contacting our facility, where we provide medical-assisted treatment.
Sertraline Interaction with Bedaquiline
Bedaquiline mixed with Sertraline can result in a life-threatening irregular heartbeat. If you are diagnosed with heart disease or electrolyte disturbances, you must avoid interaction between Sertraline and Bedaquiline. You may suffer from heart problems and drowsiness and may face difficulty breathing due to drug interaction. It is best to inform the prescribing doctor about your previous medical history so that they can inform you about the preventive measures that you can take to avoid such circumstances.
Sertraline Interaction with Zaleplon
Taking Sertraline with Zaleplon results in various effects like dizziness, confusion, and tiredness. Older people show symptoms of significant impairment in motor skills. It is wise also to avoid the use of alcohol when taking antidepressants. Avoid such activities that require concentration, like driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery.
Sertraline Interaction with Caffeine
Food or drink items like coffee, teas, and sodas like cola may increase the impact of Sertraline on your body. 120-mg caffeine pills boost the effectiveness of antidepressants in your body. However, the FDA has warned against using alcohol with Zoloft because these two drugs have the same side effects.
Sertraline Interaction with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
Taking MAOI with Sertraline can lead to serotonin syndrome. Severe adverse side effects include coma, high blood pressure, irregular heart rate, and difficulty breathing. Medical professionals advise patients not to switch their antidepressants without consulting a doctor.