Can depression medication interact with alcohol, supplements, or other medicines?

Interactions depend on the antidepressant and the other substance involved. Alcohol can add to sleepiness or poor judgment with some medicines and can worsen depression symptoms. With bupropion, heavy drinking or suddenly stopping heavy alcohol use can increase seizure risk. Ask your physician what is safe for your situation rather than assuming a small amount is harmless.

Some antidepressants can interact with other medicines that affect serotonin. These include certain migraine drugs, pain medicines, and cough products. St. John's wort can also interact with antidepressants. Certain combinations raise the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially serious reaction. SSRIs may also increase bleeding risk when taken with some pain relievers or blood thinners.

Give your physician and pharmacist a complete list of prescriptions, vitamins, supplements, and nonprescription products. Include alcohol, cannabis, and other substance use without leaving anything out. Check before starting a new product or stopping a regular medicine. A medication review helps your physician decide whether a treatment is appropriate and what monitoring you need.