If you take Lexapro, the brand name for the antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication escitalopram, it’s recommended that you not consume alcohol.
Why alcohol and Lexapro don’t mix
There are a few reasons you shouldn’t drink alcohol if you’re taking Lexapro.
First, alcohol is a depressant, so it could counteract all the work Lexapro is doing to improve your mood.
In addition, alcohol may worsen the side effects of Lexapro, which include:
- insomnia
- sleepiness
- dizziness
- fatigue
- sexual problems
- increased sweating
- nausea
- dry mouth
- constipation
- infections
Why you shouldn’t stop taking Lexapro
If you’re considering going “cold turkey” off Lexapro so you can drink, consider yourself warned. Stopping antidepressants abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, irritability, flu-like symptoms, nightmares, nausea and vomiting and pins and needles.
Consuming small amounts of alcohol
It’s best to talk to your doctor before deciding to drink alcohol while taking an antidepressant, but in general, you’ll be advised to keep it to one drink per day (for women) or two drinks per day (for men).
One drink means 12 ounces of beer (5% alcohol by volume), 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of whiskey, for example.
Your doctor will probably tell you to drink your alcohol with food and to sip it.
Alcohol’s effects on mental health
A major recent study found that the only safe amount of alcohol is none. That may seem extreme, but consider that alcohol can cause mood swings, make you violent or aggressive, impair your reaction time, cause you to slur your speech, affect your memory and concentration, increase your risk of injuries or accidents, and increase your risk of self-harm and suicide. In addition, drinking can lead to respiratory problems and affect your relationships. Excessive alcohol abuse can lead to divorce, unemployment and even homelessness.
If you’re thinking about getting off your antidepressant so you can drink more alcohol or more frequently, talk to your doctor first.
