Zoloft and Alcohol 101

Those taking the prescription medicine sertraline or Zoloft and wish to drink alcoholic beverages should take note of the potential side effects and risks. Zoloft belongs to the SSRI or selective serotonin re uptake inhibitor class of prescription drugs that is used for balancing the brain’s serotonin levels. It is one of the most widely used SSRIs utilized for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. The Zoloft and alcohol combination will considerably affect your brain’s serotonin levels, which will in turn cause you to feel various unwelcome symptoms.

Individuals planning to take Zoloft and alcohol together will have a higher chance of getting drunk quicker since their potent combination doubles the alcohol effects in your body which in turn decreases your tolerance to alcohol. Oftentimes, alcohol and Zoloft together may even lead to extreme drowsiness, sudden blackouts, and severe anxiety. You should also be warned that these symptoms will be felt without prior warning and will catch you completely off guard. Likewise, it is reported that drinking alcohol while taking Zoloft will greatly reduce the drug’s potency.

Some users also suggest that Zoloft and alcohol together may result in severe and sudden alcohol cravings, most especially with people who have previously combined the two on more than one instance, and those who’ve had issues with alcohol dependency. Although the rationale behind this symptom is unfounded, some suggest that since both Zoloft and alcohol have an effect on the pancreas, the combination causes an imbalance in the body’s blood sugar levels. Though this imbalance can be addressed temporarily by taking in more alcohol, you then risk losing the potency of Zoloft and experiencing more severe symptoms.

Drinking alcohol while on Zoloft can also lead to other physiological effects such as feeling more depressed than usual. This is mainly because alcohol is a depressant that affects your CNS, or central nervous system, and drinking alcoholic beverages will make you more depressed even when you don’t take it with Zoloft. You’ll also feel your blood pressure and heart rate dropping as a side effect of this combination. Some users have also stated that this drug combination can cause sexual dysfunction in the long run.

Still not convinced that Zoloft and alcohol may be potentially dangerous to your health? You should then be aware that its manufacturer highly advises against the combination. According to them, both drugs address the same chemicals in your brain which leads one to either counteract or heighten the effects of the other which leads to imbalance. For those who can’t seem to stay away from alcohol while on Zoloft treatment, try to at least drink in moderation and take Zoloft at least 12 hours after your last drop of alcohol.