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Mental health

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Original poster

Sertraline - alcohol

13 replies

LennyBalls · 19/12/2023 16:30

I am new to sertraline. Have been taking for about three weeks and it has definitely taken the edge off my anxiety with no side effects so far.

I am on 50mg per day. I wondered if it is okay to have a couple of glasses of wine over Xmas whilst taking it ?

Google is spurious. Some say okay and some say best to avoid.

OP posts:

mynameiscalypso · 19/12/2023 16:32

You're fine to have a few drinks. I think they can make the effects of alcohol more potent but a few glasses of wine here and there should be fine.

HeartandSeoul · 19/12/2023 16:42

One reason they advise against alcohol is due to the fact it is a mood depressant, so likely to make you feel worse mentally for that period of time.

Burgundylover · 19/12/2023 16:44

The effect of alcohol is increased quite a lot on sertraline. One or two drinks are probably OK but more than that could make you quite unwell.

Original poster

LennyBalls · 20/12/2023 16:32

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Has anyone tried skipping their tablet so they can have a drink that evening and if so how did it work out ?

OP posts:

mynameiscalypso · 20/12/2023 16:35

LennyBalls · 20/12/2023 16:32

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Has anyone tried skipping their tablet so they can have a drink that evening and if so how did it work out ?

I have tried that but I preferred to moderate my drinking rather than risk feeling a bit off/dizzy the next day through withdrawal. I was on sertraline for 3 years though and drank pretty much normally as a social drinker (including a couple of quite drunken nights) until I got pregnant and then stopped for obvious reasons!

Original poster

LennyBalls · 20/12/2023 16:38

@mynameiscalypso thanks. I guess I won't know until I try it. I don't drink loads but would like a glass of wine with my Xmas dinner and have some friends round tomorrow night so maybe will try it.

OP posts:

theduchessofspork · 20/12/2023 16:39

LennyBalls · 20/12/2023 16:32

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Has anyone tried skipping their tablet so they can have a drink that evening and if so how did it work out ?

Don’t skip your tablets - that is a really bad idea

Just try having a few drinks - most people are fine

mynameiscalypso · 20/12/2023 16:51

@LennyBalls I think you'll be absolutely fine. My psychiatrist always said that it was better to be happy and relaxed and enjoy social situations - with a glass of wine if that's your thing - than not to or to cut yourself off from things when there's not really much risk of a serious interaction (unless you're binge drinking to the extent that you'd probably be very unwell under any circumstances!)

Original poster

LennyBalls · 20/12/2023 17:21

Thanks everyone x

OP posts:

Fiveinthebed22 · 20/12/2023 17:24

I'm on 150mg and had a bottle of wine last night (usually only have a glass or 2 at most), I definitely felt it but as I was just in the house I was fine. Don't think I'd like to go out on the town drinking though.

TenderChicken · 20/12/2023 17:27

I've been on sertraline for years and I just drink as I normally would. I haven't noticed any difference.

I definitely notice if I don't take my sertraline though, so don't do that!

Original poster

LennyBalls · 22/12/2023 16:12

Thanks for the replies. Update: took my tablet as normal and had a couple glasses of wine. Absolutely no ill effects whatsoever. I haven't had a drink for about three months so was expecting to at the least feel a bit tipsy but nothing at all so all good.

OP posts:

tappitytaptap · 22/12/2023 16:18

TenderChicken · 20/12/2023 17:27

I've been on sertraline for years and I just drink as I normally would. I haven't noticed any difference.

I definitely notice if I don't take my sertraline though, so don't do that!

Exactly the same (though about 8 months for me). Not noticed any difference to when I wasn't on it, but it's effect on me has been life changing.

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