Zoloft (sertraline) and alcohol

[youngguy800]

hey im 19 and a freshman in college.. i was recently prescribed Zoloft for anxiety/depression and will be taking 50 mg (gradually starting with 25)...  my doc said it was ok for me to drink just go slow etc..  i was just gonna get yalls imput bc im afraid i'll damage my liver or something.. i drink about every weekend and i will try and drink in little amounts... its just hard not to drink when people are pushing it at you from all directions and i would usually enjoy it and have a good time.. and i dont wanna tell everyone im taking zoloft everytime someone hands me a drink... so can i drink moderately about once or twice a week and not kill my liver?

[mammo]

Alcohol intesifies the effect of your medication.  It even says on your medicine bottle not to mix with alcohol.  Last year I had a friend who went out with friends and drank (don't know how much) she went home, went to sleep and never woke up again.  You should never feel the need to have an excuse for not drinking, and should be able to have fun without the effects of alcohol.  You're also at a time in your life where YOU should start being the leader, and not drink because everyone else is doing it.

[BillTheCat]

Mammoa
I understand the point you are trying to get across but don't scare him.  

youngguy800,
Drinking on Zoloft is not recommended...but neither is drinking on ANY SSRI or anti-anxiety meds.  From personal experience i can tell you I drank on zoloft quite often and was fine.  Now, everyone is different and you need to be careful but drinking in moderation will not kill you.  But with anxiety issues, you should avoid alcohol.  I know it is tough.  I am 33 and i avoid it when people hand be a drink and it can be difficult.  Good luck to you.

[mammo]

Fear saves many lives, and he needs to know the truth and not have it sugar coated!  The warning to "AVOID ALCOHOL",  on the side of the medication bottle says it all! You shouldn't be on here advocating drinking while on these type of medications! YOU do not know that drinking in moderation won't kill him, what is moderation to one person is abuse in another.  You're talking out of both sides of your mouth to this young man...drinking is okay.....avoid alcohol......I drank.....I don't drink.....which is it?  You're correct that everyone is different, and even though you survived drinking on this type of medication does not mean he will!  Mixing alcohol and precription meds is one of the leading causes of deaths in our country, so I hope he is scared, because he should be!  You should also at least try to be a positive role model with young people, not bragging about how you drank on medication and was fine.

[Hensley258]

I can't speak for everyone, but I did drink very often and in excess back when I was taking Zoloft. I started Zoloft when I was 22 because I became sick with depression and anxiety. Obviously being 22 years old and in the party stage of my life I did drink.

I was taking 200Mgs a day of Zoloft at the time for about 4 years. (I'm on other meds now as Zoloft, actually very few antidepressant work for me anymore)

In my case I did not have any bad reaction to alcohol while on Zoloft. For the time I took the drug it worked just fine even with alcohol.

On the other hand, I am not saying this is a good idea. For all I know I could have killed myself.

My opinion is that if your dosage is a tiny 50mgs a day and you only have a couple of beers then you should be ok.

In my case it was 200Mgs a day and half a fifth of Rum. Probably a bad idea.

Use moderation.

[mammo]

How sad it is that as adults you would come on here and brag about your drinking, and playing doctor!  With people like you advocating drinking with mixing drugs it's no wonder so many people die from this.  You are very lucky to have survived, but still you can't help another by discouraging them from doing the same?  You're giving out wrong, and dangerous advice, you need to think about what you are doing by sharing your irresponsible life style!  I hope this young man shows more sense and responsibility and chooses to not do this.  You should really just say nothing regarding this, and count your blessings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!