What Are the Dangers of Taking Lexapro & Alcohol Together?

Lexapro is an antidepressant medication that corrects chemical imbalances within your brain to reduce depression or anxiety. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that slows brain activity. These two drugs can interact to cause significant adverse effects.

Effects

• Lexapro strengthens some of the negative effects of alcohol. If you combine these drugs, you may have impaired thinking and motor skills, as well as slower-than-normal reflexes.

Considerations

• According to its manufacturer, Lexapro may increase the depression that some people experience when they drink alcohol. When added to the underlying depression that triggered the need for Lexapro, this enhanced depression can be serious.

Expert Insight

• According to the manufacturers of Lexapro, it's best to avoid alcohol while taking this antidepressant. If you do drink, limit yourself to a light to moderate level. That means one drink a day for women and two for men.

Time Frame

• If you do drink while taking Lexapro, time your medication dose for an hour when you're not drinking alcohol to lower your risk for dangerous interactions.

Warning

• If you're on both alcohol and Lexapro, reduce the danger to yourself or others by avoiding activities that require concentration and rapid responses. This can include work activities, driving a motor vehicle or even leisure activities.