The Effects of Mixing Lexapro and Alcohol:
Lexapro (escitalopram) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SSRIs are medications used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic attacks, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mood disorders.
They work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain. These drugs have been proven effective in treating these conditions.
In addition to their effectiveness, they do not cause dangerous side effects such as suicidal thoughts or violent behavior. However, some individuals may experience undesirable reactions when taking them with alcohol.
This is called “Alcohol Tolerance” and it can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if the drug is stopped abruptly. If this happens, the individual will need to continue taking Lexapro in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
How does Lexapro Tolerance occur?
There are several factors that contribute to Lexapro Tolerance. One factor is how much the person drinks before starting Lexapro. Another contributing factor is how long the person takes Lexapro after discontinuing drinking. A third factor is whether or not the individual takes other antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications concurrently with Lexapro. Finally, there is genetic predisposition and environmental factors that play a role in causing this condition.
How does Alcohol Tolerance affect the body?
When a person drinks and takes an antidepressant at the same time, there is a chance that the antidepressant may not be as effective. This is because alcohol has a disruptive effect on the way drugs are metabolized by the body. Alcohol also affects how your body absorbs, breaks down, and eliminates drugs. That’s why people who drink a lot need to drink more than non-drinkers in order to feel the effects of alcohol.
Did you know that certain drugs can make a person a more “toxic” drinker?
For example, caffeine and alcohol is a very common “drug” combination. A person who consumes excessive amounts of alcohol while taking in caffeine will become a more “toxic” drinker. This has to do with the way the liver metabolizes and breaks down these drugs. In some cases, it may cause Alcohol Tolerance to develop.
What are the signs of Alcohol Tolerance?
Most people have no idea that they are developing Alcohol Tolerance until they suddenly find themselves with symptoms of Withdrawal. These symptoms are very unpleasant and they can range from mild to severe. Some of the most common symptoms of Withdrawal include:
Irritability
Anxiety
Insomnia
Headache
Muscle pain
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
If these symptoms sound familiar, it may be time to get yourself tested at a hospital or health care facility. Do not attempt to stop taking your antidepressant medication without a doctor’s supervision.
Sources & references used in this article:
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Escitalopram, an antidepressant with an allosteric effect at the serotonin transporter—a review of current understanding of its mechanism of action by J Areberg, JS Christophersen, MN Poulsen, F Larsen… – The AAPS journal, 2006 – Springer
Escitalopram treatment of kleptomania: an open-label trial followed by double-blind discontinuation. by H Zhong, N Haddjeri, C Sánchez – Psychopharmacology, 2012 – Springer
An open-label trial of escitalopram in the treatment of pathological gambling by LM Koran, EN Aboujaoude… – The Journal of clinical …, 2007 – europepmc.org
Escitalopram in the treatment of adolescent depression: a randomized placebo-controlled multisite trial by DW Black, M Shaw, KT Forbush… – Clinical …, 2007 – journals.lww.com
Treatment of cannabis dependence using escitalopram in combination with cognitive-behavior therapy: a double-blind placebo-controlled study by GJ Emslie, D Ventura, A Korotzer… – Journal of the American …, 2009 – Elsevier
