When can I drink alcohol again?

[Vampyhooch]

I started off on sertraline a couple of weeks ago. I took a weeks worth and then the doctor told me to stop taking it due to chest pains (I have a heart arrhythmia).

I stopped taking it last Friday. Just wondering how long it takes to leave your system so I can have a drink?! Thanks

I don’t know but a good friend of mine is on sertraline and still has a drink! You can probably google how long it’s in your system for but I’d be surprised if it’s more than a few days.

I did try and google it and it says something about it being 50% cleared within 24 hours then 25% the next 24 hours and so on but I don’t know if that’s per tablet iyswim?

That tablet is an anti depressant.

I’m therefore presuming your doctor thinks you are depressed?

Alcohol is a depressant and will only make you worse. I’d suggest you find an alternative way of coping with your stress. I know it’s not news you want to hear, sorry OP, genuinely trying to be helpful. It’s a rough time for everyone just now. Take care of yourself.

Yes have been suffering with anxiety and depression. Just that this weekend hoping to go camping with kids and other half and fancied a couple of beers around the fire 🔥

Sorry to hear that. Do you have a counsellor? It really helped me.

Perhaps you can toast marshmallows on sticks and make mocktails with the kids instead, or have alcohol free beer?

I know that sounds quite shit if you are used to alcohol but defo better if you are trying to get yourself healthy.

A few cartons of juices and a bottle of lemonade can be heavy though so if you are hiking to a campsite. If driving no probs!

Have a great time camping. 🏕

Maybe try the becks blue alcohol free beers?? The taste is literally the same as real beer. I agree with a PP, alcohol is such a depressant, after drastically cutting down on my alcohol I'm far less anxious, then I had a couple of wines last night and didnt make me feel great.

There’s no interaction between sertraline and alcohol you can safely drink on it

Really? It says in the leaflet not to?

I feel anxious with or without beer so it doesn’t make much difference I suppose but yeah I see where your coming from. The day after is always worse I just miss being able to have a wine or beer to relax with in the evening

Perhaps the leaflet says that to encourage you not to as them you won’t get any benefit? The depressant (alcohol) will cancel out the antidepressant (the meds) so you get no benefit?

Sertraline and alcohol affect some of the same brain pathways so you may get drunk more quickly which is why it's not recommended. But if you've been off for a couple of weeks now (?) it should be mostly out of your system.

I drink on it. I didn’t when I took it at night but now I take it first thing in the morning I felt brave enough to try a drink and I’ve been fine. The NHS website suggests trying at first to see how the alcohol affects you.

Alternatively I can recommend ERDINGER ALKOHOLFREI