These symptoms can include hallucinations or seizures, both of which require immediate medical attention. While there are no known long-term effects of mixing alcohol and Lexapro, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any. Many of the short-term effects can worsen over time when combining alcohol and Lexapro. These side effects, if they occur at all, tend to subside after the first few weeks of taking the drug. More serious side effects that are less common include lowered sex drive or diminished interest in sex, muscle stiffness, irregular heartbeat, fainting, fever, and panic attacks. While highly uncommon, if these symptoms arise, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.
- Additionally, combining Lexapro and alcohol can increase the risk of developing other health issues.
- Some research suggests that stress early in life may affect the body’s ability to transport serotonin.
- Alcohol also temporarily boosts serotonin levels in the brain, which when accompanied by SSRI use, can lead to serotonin syndrome.
- This is a commonly prescribed medication for depression and other mental health disorders.
Stopping and starting your medications can make your depression worse. Anyone who wishes to drink alcohol while taking Lexapro or any other medication should speak to their doctor first. 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. They can assess you for depression or refer you to a mental healthcare provider for further help. Talk to your doctor, who can evaluate you for other symptoms of an alcohol use disorder and discuss treatments that may help.
OCD and Addiction
It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating mood, emotions, and sleep. In conclusion, the dangers of combining Lexapro and alcohol are significant. Immediate risks include intensified sedative effects, impaired coordination, and reduced effectiveness of the medication. Long-term consequences can include worsening of mental health symptoms, development of alcohol use disorder, and increased risk of other health issues. It is crucial for individuals taking Lexapro to avoid alcohol consumption and consult with their healthcare provider for guidance on safe and effective treatment options.
Additionally, if physical dependence is severe enough, individuals may even experience delirium tremens, commonly referred to as DTs. Delirium tremens can begin as soon as two to three days after the last drink and can be life-threatening. Symptoms of this condition include shaking, confusion, hallucinations, and high blood pressure.
What happens if you mix Lexapro with alcohol?
Our patients were treatment-seeking, so the option of providing no active medication was not accepted by either the treating professionals or the patients. It is a comparative study of two medications and is limited by the absence of a placebo group. Both treatment groups improved significantly and a placebo-effect could be significant in both groups, as has been observed in earlier studies [52].
Many people feel having a drink can help take the edge off in certain situations, such as after a hectic day at work or at a social gathering. But if you’ve been prescribed Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate), you may want to think twice before sipping your favorite beer, wine, or cocktail. It’s important to know how alcohol interacts with your medications, and this is especially true of prescription antidepressants. In VR-studies on methamphetamine use disorder physiological data (heart rate variability, eye tracking, electrodermal activity) were able to discriminate between patients and healthy controls [25, 26]. It’s also more likely to happen during the first few months of treatment and when your doctor changes your dosage. Because alcohol can make your depression worse, it can also lead to increased suicide risk.
Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Lexapro?
Common side effects include nausea, dizziness, headache, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction. These side effects are usually mild and temporary, but it is important to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider. Acamprosate is a weak NMDA modulator which acts as an antagonist at the mGluR5 metabotropic glutamate receptor [29]. Acamprosate is approved in many countries for the treatment of alcohol dependence [30] although some recent studies [31,32] have not found significant benefits. “Over time, if the liver is constantly exposed to excessive alcohol and Lexapro, its ability to function properly will be compromised,” Dr. Daidone says.
Rarely was I the first doctor to put a patient on a drug like Prozac. Only occasionally did I treat first and second episodes of depression, uncomplicated by other psychiatric conditions. Lexapro is designed to be a daily use medication and at some point, you may get sick with something that might require another drug, like Why Some People Have A Higher Alcohol Tolerance Than Others antibiotics. If your doctor is giving you a prescription, just make sure they’re aware you’re on Lexapro (it should be in your chart, but…). The combination of alcohol and Lexapro can cause dehydration that may lead to hangover-like symptoms. You might have headaches, fatigue, or nausea following drinking when on Lexapro.
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Get started with our free assessment, which will tell you in minutes if treatment could be a good fit. If yes, we’ll connect you right to a clinician who can prescribe medication and have it shipped right to your door. K Health has clinicians standing by 24/7 to evaluate your symptoms and determine if Lexapro is https://en.forexpamm.info/what-is-a-halfway-house-what-to-expect-in-halfway/ right for you. These side effects often begin to subside after the first two weeks of taking Lexapro. Preventing reabsorption (or “reuptake”) keeps more serotonin in the brain than usual. They also prescribe it off-label to treat panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
