Lexapro and Alcohol: What Are The Risks?

Talk with your doctor if you’d like to know about taking generic escitalopram. If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

lexapro and alcohol craving

Some OTC treatments, such as cough syrups, also contain small amounts of alcohol. A person should always inform their doctor of all the medications they are taking. Doctors recommend that people who wish to drink alcohol while taking antidepressants should drink slowly and have the https://www.netsukestore.com/2011/01/how-to-replace-a-rear-bumper-cover/ alcohol with food. Drinking alcohol may also worsen some of the side effects of Lexapro or other antidepressants, including drowsiness and dizziness. Alcohol also temporarily boosts serotonin levels in the brain, which when accompanied by SSRI use, can lead to serotonin syndrome.

Risks of developing an alcohol use disorder while taking Lexapro

Addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder, and stopping Lexapro does not remove the underlying addiction. There is a risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD) while taking Lexapro (escitalopram), especially if you have a history of substance use or addiction. Alcohol use disorder is characterized by a pattern of alcohol consumption that leads to significant http://hackworker.ru/t/1920213 impairment or distress. Healthcare providers don’t recommend drinking alcohol while taking Lexapro. Alcohol can interact with Lexapro and may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and impaired judgment. While there are no known studies that suggest mixing Lexapro and alcohol is dangerous, alcohol can negate Lexapro’s positive effects.

  • Before I had searched for others with similar problems, now I began searching for answers.
  • If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
  • It’s sold in tablet form and as a liquid solution, with a recommended daily dose of 10mg to 20mg.

This may be why some report experiencing blackouts or temporary memory loss after mixing alcohol and Lexapro. When you need to rely on both Lexapro and alcohol to ease depressive symptoms, http://killthefattedcalf.ru/t/1515127 it can lead to a substance use disorder that can become life-threatening if not properly treated. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Lexapro side effects

This reassured me that it was safe enough to have a few drinks with friends. In fact, research suggests that there’s a causal link between alcohol use disorders and major depression, with heavy alcohol consumption linked to a greater depression risk. In addition to potentially making the side effects of Lexapro worse, drinking alcohol may make it more difficult for you to recover from depression. Lexapro®, which contains the active ingredient escitalopram, is a popular antidepressant that’s used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Some side effects of escitalopram may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.