Conditions · FAQ
Can anxiety medication interact with alcohol, supplements, or other medicines?
Short answer
Yes. Anxiety medications can interact with alcohol, supplements, and other medicines. The risks depend on the specific treatment. Give your physician and pharmacist a complete list of everything you take. Check before starting any new product, including sleep aids, cold medicines, or supplements marketed for stress or mood.
Interactions depend on which anxiety medication you take. Alcohol can worsen drowsiness and impair judgment with some medicines. It can also affect sleep and anxiety symptoms. Ask your physician whether you should avoid alcohol with your treatment rather than assuming a small amount is safe.
Some medicines and supplements raise serotonin activity. Combining them with an SSRI may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially dangerous reaction. Examples include certain migraine medicines, some pain medicines, and St. John's wort. Some combinations must be avoided or closely managed by a clinician.
Certain antidepressants can also increase bleeding risk when taken with medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or blood thinners. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own. Ask your physician or pharmacist to review the combination.
Share the name, dose, and frequency of every product you use. Include cannabis, vitamins, energy products, and nonprescription sleep aids. Check again before adding or stopping anything, even if it is labeled natural.
Sources
Written by the Verra clinical team · Medical review pending
General information, not medical advice. If you're in crisis, call or text 988.