The Risks of Taking Lexapro and Drinking Alcohol

There are potential interactions between any two drugs, including prescription medications. To avoid an adverse reaction, patients should consult their doctor and pharmacist first. Pathological intoxication is most commonly diagnosed in those with http://www.alyrics.ru/t/thin-lizzy/thunder-lightning-1983/cold-sweat/ with alcohol abuse and existing mental health conditions. People with such conditions should speak with their doctor before consuming alcohol with Lexapro. Alcohol, a depressant, can cause or worsen depression, which includes suicidal thoughts.

Excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to alcohol use disorder. People with depression are at greater risk than others of developing alcohol use disorder. For people who are taking an SSRI antidepressant, such as Lexapro, and who are at low risk of alcohol use disorder, it may be safe to have a small amount of alcohol occasionally.

Can I Take Lexapro (Escitalopram) With Alcohol?

During Lexapro treatment, your doctor will monitor you for changes in behavior or mood. They’ll watch most closely for these changes whenever they adjust your dosage and in your first few months of treatment. They may also have you, close friends, or family members watch for these changes. If you have depression, your doctor may prescribe Lexapro for you. It’s used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and children ages 12 years and older. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Lexapro.

Lexapro’s drugmaker recommends that you avoid alcohol while taking this drug. Alcohol can worsen symptoms of anxiety or depression, which Lexapro is used to treat. And consuming alcohol while taking Lexapro can worsen certain side effects of the drug, including sleepiness and fatigue (low energy). In this article, we look at the risks of drinking alcohol while taking Lexapro or other antidepressants, including how alcohol may worsen their side effects. All illegal drugs should be avoided while taking antidepressant medications because they may worsen depression symptoms and increase sedation. More than half of people who commit suicide are found to have been drinking.

Lexapro & Alcohol FAQs

Had I really been like this for ten years and hadn’t realized it? Almost immediately the cravings for alcohol reduced by about 50%. Before I had searched for others with similar problems, now I began searching for answers. First I googled alcohol cravings induced by paroxetine and then by citalopram. I came across the International Coalition for Drug Awareness, the Seroxat Users Support Group and the Seroxat Secrets website where many people were reporting the same thing.

Lexapro is a brand name for the medication Escitalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. This antidepressant medication was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2002 and http://adaptivehomelifestyle.com/float-sofa/ sold in the United States soon after approval. Both escitalopram (Lexapro) and sertraline (Zoloft) are used to treat certain kinds of anxiety and depression. And both medications belong to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

The Effects of Mixing Lexapro and Alcohol

Even drinking a small amount of alcohol while taking an SSRI could have serious consequences. If you have a bleeding problem, such as hemophilia, http://slushai-knigi.ru/93944-calling-this-losing-over-2013.html talk with your doctor before taking Lexapro. Your doctor will let you know whether Lexapro is the right treatment for you.

• This is because the duration and severity of Lexapro withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person.
• This can occur even after drinking just a small amount of alcohol.
• Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.
• In the longer-term, alcohol can cause depression and anxiety and increase the risk of self-harm and suicide.

This can increase levels of serotonin in your body to a point of toxicity. Not everyone will experience side effects from combining alcohol and Lexapro, but it is important to understand that there are some potential complications when the two are mixed. When you first start taking Lexapro, it can take some time for the medication to adjust your body’s chemistry. This means you might not notice a difference for as long as a month or two. During this time, it is important to avoid alcohol so you are fully aware of the effects of Lexapro on your mind and body. It’s imperative to understand the potential risks of combining Lexapro and alcohol, especially if you’ve ever wondered can I drink on Lexapro.

What to avoid

Most people should not drink alcohol during treatment with the medication. 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.