Based on FDA | Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking sertraline?

Drinking alcohol while taking sertraline is generally not recommended. Alcohol can increase certain side effects of sertraline such as drowsiness, impaired judgment, and coordination and may worsen anxiety or depression symptoms, so most clinical guidance advises avoiding or minimizing alcohol use during treatment. ^{[1] [2]}

Why alcohol and sertraline don’t mix well

• Central nervous system effects: Both sertraline and alcohol can affect alertness and thinking, and when combined, these effects can add up, increasing the risk of drowsiness, slowed reaction time, and accidents like falls or car crashes. Many clinical resources advise against alcohol use with sertraline for this reason. ^{[1] [2]}
• Mood and treatment response: Alcohol is a depressant and can undermine recovery from depression or anxiety, potentially reducing the benefit you get from sertraline and increasing the risk of symptom relapse. Regular drinking may also interfere with consistent medication use. ^[3]
• Individual variability: People differ in how sedated they feel from sertraline, and alcohol tolerance varies widely; what feels “moderate” for one person may be impairing for another. Because early in treatment side effects can be unpredictable, caution is especially important during dose changes or the first weeks. ^[1]

What official guidance says

• Authoritative medication guides commonly state that alcohol use is not recommended for those taking sertraline due to the potential for increased drowsiness and thinking problems. Patients are advised to avoid alcohol or to discuss safe use with their clinician. ^{[1] [4]}
• Consumer drug information highlights that sertraline can make you drowsy and advises asking your clinician about alcohol use while on the medication. This underscores a precautionary approach rather than blanket permission to drink. ^{[5] [6] [7] [8]}

What research has found

• Small controlled studies in healthy volunteers (including older adults) did not show a clear additive impairment of psychomotor performance when moderate amounts of alcohol were taken with sertraline in the short term. However, these studies were brief, highly controlled, and not in people actively being treated for depression or anxiety. ^[9]
• Early pharmacology reviews also reported no potentiation of alcohol’s effects in volunteers, suggesting sertraline is neither strongly sedating nor stimulating at typical doses. Still, real‑world factors like higher alcohol intake, other medicines, sleep loss, and underlying illness can change risk. ^[10]

Practical recommendations

• If you choose to drink:
  • Keep it minimal ideally avoid, but if you decide to drink, limit to a small amount (for many adults, no more than 1 standard drink on an occasion) and avoid driving or hazardous activities afterward. ^{[1] [2]}
  • Do not skip or stop sertraline so you can drink; consistent dosing is important for effectiveness and safety. ^[3]
  • Be extra cautious during the first few weeks of treatment or after dose changes, when side effects like drowsiness can be stronger. This is when avoiding alcohol is especially wise. ^[1]
• Avoid alcohol entirely if you notice: increased sleepiness, dizziness, worsening mood, panic, blackouts, or if you take other sedating drugs (such as benzodiazepines, sleep aids, opioids), as risks can compound. In these situations, full abstinence is the safer choice. ^[1]
• Discuss personal risks with your clinician if you have liver disease, a history of alcohol use disorder, diabetes, or are on other medicines that affect bleeding or sedation. Tailored advice can help weigh your specific benefits and risks. ^[1]

Bottom line

While limited lab studies suggest sertraline doesn’t always amplify alcohol’s psychomotor effects, real‑world guidance is cautious: alcohol use is not recommended with sertraline because it can increase drowsiness, impair thinking, and worsen mood symptoms, and safer outcomes are seen when alcohol is avoided or kept to a very low level. ^{[1] [2] [5] [6] [9] [10]}