A 38-year-old member asked:
Is it safe to drink alcohol on lexapro (escitalopram)?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Steven Reidbordanswered
Psychiatry 37 years experience
Not advised: Drinking on an ssri antidepressant can make depression or anxiety persist ("fighting" the treatment). It increases seizure risk. Can make alcohol feel stronger, impairing driving and similar activities more than expected. The standard rule: avoid all alcohol. That said, people use ssris for months or years; some use alcohol occasionally in small amts and are ok. Weigh the risks.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 33 years experience
Alcohol/AD's.: I would not recommend alcohol with any antidepressants.
3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 39-year-old member asked:
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking lexapro (escitalopram)?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jane Steineranswered
Psychiatry 44 years experience
Yes, but...: You may feel like you have had more to drink than you have really had. Use caution, drink slowly, and monitor how you feel before taking your next sip. Assume you can only drink about half as much as you could before being on any psychiatric medication. And if you are just starting the medication and your body is just getting used to it, it may be better not to drink at all.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 10, 2018
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