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The Daily Insight

Does Lexapro make you crave alcohol?

Author

Olivia Shea

Updated on March 02, 2026

Escitalopram does not reduce alcohol cravings or symptoms of depression for all patients. On rare occasions, medicating with Lexapro while in recovery results in an increase in drug and alcohol cravings.

Can antidepressants make you crave alcohol?

SSRIs are not known to have very serious side effects but there have been recent reports of SSRIs inducing alcohol cravings. Research has found that antidepressants can intensify the effects of alcohol, or can lead individuals to increase their alcohol consumption and become heavily dependent on alcohol.

Can you have a glass of wine with Lexapro?

Share on Pinterest Doctors advise against drinking alcohol while taking Lexapro. Doctors usually do not recommend drinking alcohol while taking Lexapro or any other antidepressant. This guidance is because alcohol can make depression worse and can counteract the benefits of a person taking antidepressants.

Do antidepressants make you drunk faster?

Being drunk is a state of impairment that leads to poor judgment, bad decisions, and even self-destructive behaviors. When combined with antidepressants, these effects of drinking become heightened. In other words, you may get drunker faster, and with less alcohol than usual.

Can Paxil cause alcoholism?

On the other hand, some research has linked the use of SSRIs like Paxil to increased alcohol cravings and misuse. In a review of studies on SSRIs and alcohol dependence, researchers found that SSRIs actually led to an increase in alcohol consumption in some groups.

Does alcohol mess with serotonin?

Drinking alcohol can temporarily boost serotonin levels, therefore making you feel happier, but in the long term, excess alcohol can actually lower serotonin levels, and therefore either causing or exacerbating depression.

Can I have a few beers on Lexapro?

Get Your Doctor’s Advice Some doctors think it’s OK to drink moderately if you take an SSRI like Lexapro. “Moderate drinking” means 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women. One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1 ounce of hard liquor.

Does anyone drink on Lexapro?

However, doctors strongly recommend that people avoid drinking while taking antidepressants. Alcohol can worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety and can increase the side effects of antidepressants. Anyone who wishes to drink alcohol while taking Lexapro or any other medication should speak to their doctor first.

When should I take escitalopram?

Take escitalopram once a day. You can take it with or without food. You can take escitalopram at any time of day, as long as you stick to the same time every day. If you have trouble sleeping, it’s best to take it in the morning. Escitalopram tablets come in different strengths ranging from 5mg to 20mg.

Can I take escitalopram and drink alcohol?

Lexapro (escitalopram) is a drug prescribed for the treatment of depression and anxiety. Generally doctors recommend that it’s best to avoid combining Lexapro and other antidepressants with alcohol. This is because alcohol can make depression worse and can counteract the benefits of Lexapro.

Is it safe to combine escitalopram and alcohol?

Combining escitalopram and alcohol is not recommended by the manufacturer or healthcare professionals because it can exacerbate the drug’s side effects. In some cases, such as when the patient must drive or operate heavy machinery, combining these substances could result in dangerous situations.

Is escitalopram a good antidepressant?

Lexapro (escitalopram) is good for treating depression and anxiety. It is less likely to cause side effects and has fewer drug interactions than other antidepressants. Effective at relieving depression and anxiety symptoms. Lowers the likelihood of your depression coming back.