Starting Sertraline treatment. Had 3-4 oz hard liquor last night. Okay to start Sertraline today?

Question posted by evmo on 19 Feb 2011

Last updated on 21 February 2011

I was planning to start Sertraline treatment today. I have Anxiety/OCD (I have a glimmer of paranoia as well. My Psychologist let me know it's related to the OCD).

I will be taking 50mg. Late last night, I spontaneously drank about 2-4 oz. of rum and armaretto. I'm estimating since it was mixed with ice, diet coke and lemonade and i didn't drink the whole 12-16 oz glass.

Maybe wasn't the wisest thing to do. Looking forward, will it be wise to start taking the Sertraline tomorrow, instead of today, knowing there is still alcohol in my system?

I want to give my Sertraline treatment a try and hope to not experience too many bad side effects, especially if I can help it; i.e., not mix alcohol and Sertraline.

This is my first time taking medication for my Anxiety/OCD. I recently have been diagnosed about 3 months ago and have been working on utilizing my tools to deal. This is my first step integrating the medication and management tools.

Also, I will have to figure out how to manage my social drinking and the Sertraline. Social drinking is part of my lifestyle. I possibly can try to ween from it. Any advice on that note as well?

Thank you for your responses in advance.

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Answers

puckiemull 20 Feb 2011

Hi evmo,
I also suffer from anxiety and ocd,I have been on different meds since diagnosed.I was a social drinker also but found that when i did drink i would suffer extreme depression the following day and for the rest of that week.the alcohol hightend my anxiety and gave me on going panic attacks(not while drinking)but the days that followed.In the end i was sick of feeling this way after having drink that i stayed away from it but now i want to try start socialising again but im on different meds again-prozac,and i dont know how that would react to drink.
Maybe Laurie or sweetiemelon could give me some advice on that also?
In the meantime keep us posted as to how you're getting on with the meds
Best of luck

LaurieShay 20 Feb 2011

Hey puckiemull,

Unfortunately the prozac and alcohol has the same warnings as previously mentioned. Taking an antidepressants and drinking alcohol just don't mix real well because of the depressant nature of the acohol, as you already attested to.

If you are going to drink, just have one, not enough to cause a hang over and be depressed for days afterward. Can you just have one? If not then best to stay away from the alcohol and drink something like Shirley Temples, ginger ale and cherry juice. This is my opinion anyway.

I like to go out and socialize but I can do so and drink non alcoholic drinks. It really ain't so bad. I occassionally have a glass of wine, but not very often.

Laurie

puckiemull 20 Feb 2011

Thanks Laurie
to be honest i dont know if i could have 1 but i'd rather have 1 then end up feelind so depressed and hopeless for the week after. I've been avoiding pubs and socialising due to my chronic anxiety but i have an event coming up soon that i have to go to but i think my best bet is stay away from the drink altogether.
Thanks for your feedback,its just so frustrating that when you have anxiiety/depression that it interferes with so much/socialising(even just having a few drinks)but i'd rather get better on the meds than be in a state without.

sweetie pie 20 Feb 2011

Hi Puckiemull! I know it can be difficult to socialize around people who are drinking alcohol and you decide against it. Have you ever had a problem trying to stop using alcohol? If so, there are many resources to help you.If not, your decision not to drink alcohol while on these meds is a smart one. It is difficult for your doctor to evaluate how you are doing on these meds if you are having more symptoms after you drink alcohol. I like Laurie's suggestion about the Shirley Temple drinks. Regardless if you take Zoloft, Prozac, or any other antidepressant, drinking alcohol is not reccomended. Do you have any friends who do not drink alcohol? If so, maybe you can try and socialize more with them. I know it can be a difficult time when you are trying to work with your doctor to find the medications that are going to help you. Don't give up and please work closely with your doctor. He is there to help you. I hope things work out for the best! Sweetie Pie

evmo 20 Feb 2011

Hi puckiemull,

Thank you for sharing your experiences with different types of meds. It is helpful. Do you remember what meds you were on and the effects of them with alcohol?

I really have to be careful with alcohol and the Sertraline. Based on your accounts and the advice of others.

I will keep y'all posted on my experiences with Sertraline.

evmo 21 Feb 2011

I took my first 50mg dose for Sertraline this afternoon. Within the five hours since, I'm experiencing a little dry mouth, nausea and a dat bit of dizziness. Is this directly related to Sertraline?

My pharmacist mentioned, and have read, that I will "feel" the benefits of Sertraline in about three weeks for anxiety/ocd. And I forgot, but I believe the pharmacist mentioned within two weeks for depression. (I am taking this for the ocd)

I encountered a stressful/anxious angry moment in the last hour. I was angry. I tried to calm down, express my hurt in an assertive calm manner and cool down more. Is the Sertraline kicking in, or was it me really trying to handle a stressful situation for me, maturely?

puckiemull 21 Feb 2011

Hi evmo
How are you feeling today?They do say it takes a couple of weeks for the meds to kick in or for you to notice a change but i do know that after taking it first,you might experience side effects(like you described)dry mouth/nauesa.You also might feel more anxious and irritated before you're meds start to work.That's what happened me,but hang in there as i was told and it'll pass.I have been on lexapro,effexor,lyrica,xanax back to lexapro,now i'v started new meds-prozac and stil the xanax for my panic.I'm still waiting for the prozac to start working,no change yet but will have to wait and see just like yourself.
Hope this helps,let us know how you're doing

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LaurieShay 20 Feb 2011

While it is recommeded that you do not drink alcohol while taking an antidepressant, it should not prevent you from starting your sertraline tomorrow. The interaction between the two is as follows:

sertraline ↔ ethanol
Applies to: sertraline, Alcohol (contained in alcoholic beverages) (ethanol)

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of CNS-active agents. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

CNS stand for central nervous system. Alcohol and sertraline both affect the central nervous system causing it to "slow" down. Consuming too much alcohol while taking sertraline could cause your breathing to decrease, heart rate to decrease, and may impair your ability to do things like drive a car or operate other dangerous machinery.

The other thing I'd like to mention is that alcohol, being a depressant, can make your condition worse. So just be cautious and if you are going to drink, do so in moderation.

Good luck with the new med,

Laurie

Votes: +1

sweetie pie 20 Feb 2011

My advice is not to drink alcohol on Zoloft or any drug which has a warning in it's information pamplet. Why take a chance? You want to get the total effect of the medication. I have seen people who have consumed alcohol on antidepressants get more depressed, even suicidal when I was working as a psychiatric nurse. I would wait another day before starting your Zoloft. This is just my opinion. Please talk to your doctor about this. I wish you the best! Sweetie Pie

puckiemull 20 Feb 2011

Sorry i meant sweetiepie not melon(sorry)

caringsonbj 20 Feb 2011

I think that you need to take this medication or the doctor would not have recommended it, if you feel that you cannot drink then I think what you need to do is JUST in order to BE SAFE is to TALK with the doctor and let him know upfront give him an amount of alcohol that you most likely will consume then he can tell you how to adjust the medication and the alcohol so that these two inc combination are a safe thing, We want the best for you, would be better for you to tak with the doctor and know what he thinks is safe than to guess and maybe not get the safe effect that you need, I wish you the very best

evmo 20 Feb 2011

Thank you caringsonbj, puckiemull, seetie pie, LaurieShay. I am taking all your comments to consideration. They are helpful and wise.

Also, I will contact my doctor on Monday or Tuesday to let her know that I have questions regarding alcoholic social drinking. I will try to lay off the alcohol as much as I can to give the benefits of Sertraline a chance.

Prior to Sertraline prescribed, I had scheduled a wine tasting trip for a day with my girlfriends in a couple of weeks, for one of their birthdays. I haven't told them about my anxiety/ocd or my newly prescribed med. I may disclose to my closest friend. I hope there is a balance solution to enjoying the wine tasting trip and still continue with the Sertraline treatment.

Expand...

My OCD/Anxiety and glimmer of paranoia has a stronger "hold" mostly when I'm under lots of stress. I have OCD thoughts that I can somewhat manage right now, being in a lower stress situation (I've removed myself from the toxic work environment, focused on eating and keeping active, took an assertive course and been mindful of staying in the present). I believe, when I start working again, the stress may increase and the OCD/Anxiety and paranoia may kick in more. I'm hoping I can utilize the tools from my therapy and hopefully Sertraline will reduce the OCD thoughts.

On a side note, I read on some forums that some individuals have gained weight under Zoloft. It seemed rare though. I hope I do not gain weight, as losing the weight in the last couple years (an end product of the lowering my stress) has helped with my self esteem, motivating me to be mindful of the interactions between my body, mind and emotions. Any comments on the weight gain and Sertraline?

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Starting Sertraline treatment. Had 3-4 oz hard liquor last night. Okay to start Sertraline today?

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