Before you begin taking Prozac, or any new medication, your doctor will first review your medical history and any other drugs you are currently taking. It’s essential to inform your doctor of any over-the-counter or prescribed medications you are on and whether you drink alcohol or use drugs. This discussion prevents you from experiencing any adverse reactions when taking Prozac.
Together, Prozac and alcohol can also take a significant toll on the liver. This increases the risk of liver damage and other long-term health concerns. For many health care providers who treat anxiety and depression, the concern about whether it’s safe — or even advised — to drink alcohol while taking an antidepressant is a common one. “Patients tell me all the time, ‘I’m going to be drinking with friends tonight, so I skipped a dose,’” said Dr. Sarah Ramsay Andrews, a psychiatrist at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Perhaps more concerning is the fact that combining alcohol with antidepressant SSRIs can decrease the effectiveness of the prescription in treating depression, anxiety, and panic disorders.
One medication that is not recommended to be taken with alcohol is the antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac). Prozac is a common drug prescribed for depression and anxiety and has helped countless people lead normal and fulfilling lives. However, mixing Prozac and alcohol can have serious side effects, such as increased depression, anxiety, and drowsiness. It may also lead to addiction to both substances, leading to the need for a polysubstance abuse treatment program. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Those treated for depression face an increased risk of alcohol addiction, so this combination must be discussed with all patients. SSRIs like Prozac affect the serotonin neurotransmitter in the brain. They also improve mood and prevent feelings of depression and anxiety.
- It might be best to stop drinking alcohol for the first few days of treatment until you see how the medicine affects you.
- These include poor decision-making, impaired driving, and an increased risk of falls and injuries.
- As a result, when evaluating patients for depression, clinicians must also assess for co-morbid substance use that could be either causing or contributing to the depressive episode.
- The FDA strongly recommends avoiding the consumption of alcohol and Prozac based on the harmful interactions that can occur.
- However, sometimes people respond better to one antidepressant than to another.
If you find yourself struggling with avoiding alcohol while on an antidepressant, this could be a sign of problem drinking. This could be a lingering effect from self-medicating with alcohol before you were able to receive an antidepressant. And while this behavior is common, it is also dangerous, and it could lead to co-occurring disorders. Most likely, an occasional drink while on an antidepressant is not going to have major adverse effects for you, provided that you’re prepared and know what to expect.
Understanding these risks is like having the ultimate spoiler alert – it can save the day, especially for those dealing with the tricky trio of alcohol, Prozac, and underlying mental health challenges. This warning states that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicide in people younger than 25. Suicidal thoughts resulting from Prozac are more common in children, adolescents, and young adults.
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
If you or someone you love is currently taking Prozac or another antidepressant and misusing alcohol simultaneously, we encourage you to reach out to The Recovery Village. You can speak with one of our representatives without fear of judgment, and receive information about our comprehensive treatment plans. Your call is free and confidential, and there’s no obligation to commit to a treatment program. Combining alcohol with Prozac may increase drowsiness and impair judgment.
Prozac and Alcohol FAQ
When people consume alcohol, they usually do so because it leads to a short-term increase in dopamine—positive feelings, social energy, reduced stress, and other similar effects. However, sometimes people respond better to one antidepressant than to another. Talk to your doctor if you are not feeling any better after 6 weeks. As a result, when evaluating patients for depression, clinicians must also assess for co-morbid substance use that could be either causing or contributing to the depressive episode.
These effects are beneficial for managing the symptoms of various variety of challenging mental health conditions. Again, the risks of mixing alcohol and Prozac are that the side effects of alcohol, like hangovers or affecting your depressive symptoms, will be worse. However, most of the concerns that come with drinking while on Prozac have less to do with Prozac and more to do with the adverse effects of alcohol on mental sobriety, relapse, and addiction recovery statistics in 2023 health issues. Battling and mental health disorder and a substance or alcohol use disorder can significantly complicate a safe recovery. At Ocean Recovery, we can help you safely navigate substance or alcohol use disorder without jeopardizing any underlying mental health conditions. This puts those suffering from depressive or mood disorders at increased risk, potentially making their symptoms exponentially worse.
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Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with FLUoxetine. Do not use more than the recommended dose of FLUoxetine, and avoid facing your powerlessness in addiction recovery activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.
Dangers of mixing antidepressants and alcohol
Because alcohol can also increase depressive symptoms while simultaneously reducing the effectiveness of the antidepressant, mental health symptoms can intensify. This means 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men. “One Drink” is equivalent to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, 1 ounce of 80-proof whiskey, or 1 ounce of 100-proof spirits.
Prozac and Alcohol Effects
This approach to treatment can make all the difference concerning lifelong abstinence from alcohol as you learn healthier coping strategies. It’s essential to be mindful of this link since Prozac is an antidepressant often taken by those with major depression, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The high prevalence of both these conditions in the general population means co-occurrence of these disorders is frequent. Prozac can interact with alcohol and amplify both of their effects. This interaction can lead to dangerous and potentially fatal side effects. It can take about a month for fluoxetine to leave your body completely.
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Other classes may include serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as Cymbalta; atypical antidepressants, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin); and tricyclic antidepressants. Once liver damage progresses, it may lead to permanent damage called cirrhosis. Drug-induced liver injury (hepatoxicity) is an acute condition specific to certain medications, supplements, or herbs you may take.
To date, duloxetine (Cymbalta) is the only antidepressant reported by the NIAAA as having a link to liver damage when mixed with alcohol. But this doesn’t mean there isn’t a risk with other antidepressants what is sober living? like Prozac. Research suggests that less than 1% of people who take Prozac may be at risk of acute liver injury. Such effects on the liver tend to occur 2 to 12 weeks after starting this SSRI.