
Do you think drinking that glass of wine or beer while you're on an antidepressant is no big deal? It can actually make you more depressed and cause dangerous interactions.
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It's best to avoid combining antidepressants and alcohol. It may worsen your symptoms, and it can be dangerous. If you mix antidepressants and alcohol:
Don't stop taking an antidepressant or other medication just so that you can drink. Most antidepressants require taking a consistent, daily dose to maintain a constant level in your system and work as intended. Stopping and starting your medications can make your depression worse.
While it's generally best not to drink at all if you're depressed, ask your doctor. If you have depression:
If you're concerned about your alcohol use, you may benefit from substance abuse counseling and treatment programs that can help you overcome your misuse of alcohol. Joining a support group or a 12-step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous may help.
If you're at low risk of addiction to alcohol, it may be OK to have an occasional drink, depending on your particular situation, but talk with your health care provider.
Also, tell your health care provider about any other health conditions you might have and any other medications you take, including over-the-counter medications or supplements. Keeping your health care provider informed is important because:
This article is written by Dr. Daniel K. Hall-Flavin and Mayo Clinic Staff. Find more health and medical information on mayoclinic.org.
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