Can I take Sertraline and Alcohol together?
Drug interaction guide
Originally published 24 Jan 2026
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Drinking alcohol while taking sertraline can make you feel much more drowsy, dizzy, or sleepy than usual. It can also impair your coordination, reaction times, and judgement. In some cases, alcohol can make the symptoms of your depression or anxiety worse, or increase the risk of suicidal thoughts. Additionally, both substances can affect your liver, and combining them may increase the risk of rare but serious side effects like 'serotonin syndrome', which causes confusion, sweating, and a rapid heartbeat.
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Why this happens
Sertraline and alcohol both affect the central nervous system (the brain). When taken together, they have an 'additive effect', meaning they enhance each other's sedative properties. Alcohol can also interfere with how the brain processes serotonin, the chemical that sertraline is designed to balance.
What you should do
It is best to avoid drinking alcohol altogether while taking sertraline, especially when you first start the medication or if your dose has recently increased. If you do choose to drink, keep it to a very small amount, drink slowly with food, and be aware that one drink may affect you much more strongly than usual. Do not drive or operate machinery if you have been drinking.
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Using other medicines
Taking multiple medicines? Our Medicines Interaction Checker helps you check whether your prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements are safe to take together. Simply search for your medicines to see potential interactions and what to do about them.
Descargo de responsabilidad
This information is for general educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your GP, pharmacist, or another qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your medications. Individual circumstances may vary, and only a healthcare professional who knows your medical history can provide personalised guidance.
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Historia del artículo
La información de esta página ha sido redactada y revisada por médicos cualificados.
24 Enero 2026 | Publicado originalmente
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