There’s also a chance you may experience unusual mood swings or irritability. This can feel frustrating, and it’s important to recognize sober house these shifts as they happen. Feeling like things aren’t quite right is your intuition trying to give you a nudge. If you’re at low risk of alcohol misuse and want to have a drink once in a while, it might be OK. In extreme cases, drinking alcohol while taking an SSRI like Lexapro can sometimes lead to side effects such as becoming violent.
- “Until you know how your body will react to Lexapro, I would recommend avoiding alcohol altogether,” advises Dr. Pillow.
- It is imperative for individuals on these medications to engage in open and honest discussions with their healthcare providers about alcohol use.
- While Lexapro can effectively alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, the lexapro and alcohol interaction can be potentially dangerous.
- The main element of its formula is escitalopram, which inhibits the reuptake of serotonin by neurons to prevent its depletion.
- Following are some symptoms that you can assess in yourself or a loved one suspected to have developed a habit.
Final Thoughts: Can You Mix Lexapro and Alcohol Safely?
This can help people regulate their emotions and improve overall symptoms of depression and anxiety. You can also talk to your primary care physician to see what addiction resources are https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ in your area. Lexapro is a common SSRI antidepressant and a good option for people with certain mental disorders. To avoid dangerous side effects such as drowsiness and liver problems, it’s best not to use alcohol while you take Lexapro. If you have any questions regarding Lexapro and alcohol, it’s always best to consult your doctor.
Conditions
While Lexapro and Xanax are effective in treating anxiety and depression, their interaction with alcohol can lead to adverse effects and diminish their therapeutic benefits. It is imperative for individuals on these medications to engage in open and honest discussions with their healthcare providers about alcohol use. Making informed choices about alcohol consumption while on these medications is crucial for maintaining mental health and overall well-being. Most people should not drink alcohol during treatment with the medication.
Healthcare professionals do not generally recommend that people drink alcohol while taking Lexapro. Located in New Hampshire, Liberty Health Services offers exceptional medical detox and customized addiction treatment for individuals throughout New England. Our supportive environment and experienced team are dedicated to helping you start your path to long-term wellness and recovery. Understanding the interaction between alcohol and Lexapro requires delving into how each substance affects the brain. Lexapro, an SSRI, increases serotonin levels, which are crucial for mood regulation. In contrast, alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant, altering brain function and neurotransmission.
Though uncommon, using Lexapro can also enhance the risk of suicide in some people. Since alcohol worsens depression, it may also increase the overall suicide risk. If you experience any long-term side effects from mixing alcohol and Lexapro, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately to avoid further complications. Health professionals strongly advise against drinking alcohol while on Lexapro.
- Some of these alcohol and Lexapro hangover symptoms include headaches, nausea, and fatigue, which may occur even after having a small amount of alcohol.
- Over time, alcohol use can also make the symptoms of anxiety and depression worse.
- Alcohol can also interfere with other any other drugs a person may be taking, including many other-the-counter (OTC) medications.
- Like some other medications, SSRIs and alcohol can create side effects worse than the side effects of either medication alone.
- Some experts think that “self-medication” (drinking to try to temporarily alleviate depression) may be the reason behind many dual diagnoses of alcohol use disorder and depression.
Alcohol and Mental Health Issues
Preventing reabsorption (or “reuptake”) keeps more serotonin in the brain than usual.
If you take the SSRI antidepressant Lexapro for depression or anxiety, you may wonder if it’s OK to have a cocktail, beer, or glass of wine once in a while. But there are lots of reasons to stay away from alcohol when you take antidepressants like Lexapro, which is the brand name of a drug called escitalopram. Alcohol can impair judgment and affect mood, so drinking on Lexapro brings the possibility of emotional changes. It’s also good to know that mixing Lexapro and alcohol may prevent your body from processing serotonin correctly, leading to additional side effects like vomiting or diarrhea. Depression and anxiety disorders require careful treatment, so it may be necessary to make certain lifestyle adjustments. Read on to know how Lexapro interacts with alcohol, what possible dangers are, and how alcohol can affect mental health overall.
Lexapro and alcohol have dehydrating properties, which may lead to symptoms similar to a hangover. Some of these alcohol and Lexapro hangover symptoms include headaches, nausea, and fatigue, which may occur even after having a small amount of alcohol. If your depression gets worse or you have thoughts of harming yourself, talk to your doctor immediately. Because alcohol can cause depression on its own and make some antidepressants not work well, this could lead you to think about suicide. However, a person should always talk to their doctor before having any alcohol if they are also taking Lexapro or any other medicines.
Interaction between antidepressants and alcohol: signal amplification by multiple case reports
Additionally, research links alcohol use and increased rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts. Lexapro and other SSRIs block serotonin from being reabsorbed by the brain after it’s been used. Lastly I’ll explain alternative ways of treating depression that don’t involve prescription medications.
But usually, doing it can just make it harder to do tasks that require you to be sharp and alert. Drinking alcohol can also lead to more and different side effects — and risks — when combined with the drug. People with depression are at greater risk than others of developing alcohol use disorder.
“Moderate” drinking refers to one or two drinks per day, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, 1 ounce of 80-proof whiskey, or 1 ounce of 100-proof spirits. According to the professional criterion, noticing two to three symptoms mentioned above may indicate mild depression, whereas four to five signs count as moderate depression. People with six or more symptoms mentioned above may suffer from severe forms of depression.
People who drink alcohol while taking Lexapro may feel more depressed or anxious, and these symptoms may then become more challenging to treat. Understanding the dual diagnosis framework is crucial for providing comprehensive care and improving outcomes for individuals facing both addiction and mental health challenges. They can assess you for depression or refer you to a mental healthcare provider for further help.
Lexapro and Its Side Effects
Considering the long-term effects, alcohol can also trigger anxiety and depression while increasing the risk of suicide and self-harm. Moreover, as a person continues to become dependent on alcohol, their excessive use may cause many social issues, such as homelessness, divorce, and unemployment. A healthcare professional can also keep you accountable and help you monitor any unusual reactions if you ever find yourself tempted to mix these substances. 🗨️ The more you know, the better you can manage your mental health while on medication.
Alcohol can worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety and can increase the side effects of antidepressants. Lexapro is one of the commonly prescribed medications for depression and anxiety. For example, how to deal with potential side effects and whether it’s safe to drink while taking Lexapro. 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. For those currently using Xanax or considering it as a treatment option, understanding these interactions is key to effective and safe treatment. To learn more about how Xanax can potentially worsen anxiety symptoms, especially when combined with alcohol, visit our detailed discussion on Can Xanax Make Anxiety Worse.
Lexapro, known by its generic name escitalopram, is a prescription medication classified as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It is primarily used to treat major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in adults and adolescents. By increasing serotonin levels in the brain, Lexapro helps improve mood, reduce anxiety, and alleviate symptoms of depression. Common side effects may include nausea, fatigue, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction. Always consult a healthcare provider for guidance on its use and potential interactions with other medications. However, doctors strongly recommend that people avoid drinking while taking antidepressants.