There are certain types of beverages, like alcohol, which when they interact with drugs have the consequence of making them less effective and causing harmful side effects. This is especially true for Zoloft. There can be significant changes in the effects that Zoloft is supposed to have if it’s been mixed with alcohol. There are other factors that influence such effects like an individual’s age, gender, weight, health, and the amount of the dose.
Generally speaking, food increases Zoloft absorption, so it is advisable to take the drug either with food, or on an empty stomach. On the other hand, grapefruit juice can increase the quantity of Zoloft in the body, and this can cause adverse effects. Therefore, grapefruit juice is to be avoided when Zoloft.
But what happens when one takes Zoloft and drinks alcohol?
Zoloft and Alcohol
The question is, is it safe to take Zoloft and drink alcohol? There is no consensus on this, and experts seem to prefer to comment on a case to case basis. That being said, it has not been found that alcohol reacts with Zoloft to affect an individual’s mental or motor skills. Nevertheless, it is not advisable to mix the two. Here are the main reasons why.
Increased Adverse Effects
One of the reasons to avoid drinking alcohol when taking an antidepressant like Zoloft is because the alcohol decreases the beneficial effects of the medication, while increasing its adverse effects, such as sedation. There is a risk of lowered cognitive and motor skills.
Alcohol is a Depressant
This is the main reason that medical professionals advise against drinking alcohol while on Zoloft. Alcohol is a well known depressant. Therefore, if an individual has been prescribed Zoloft for depression, then drinking alcohol could cancel out the positive effects of the antidepressant.
Ultimately, Zoloft and alcohol are both drugs, and it is never recommended to mix the two. Taking more than one drug at a time can increase the negative side effects. In the case of mixing Zoloft and alcohol, the increased side effects can include:
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Diarrhea
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