Antidepressant medications are often used to treat the symptoms of depression and anxiety. One such medicine is Pristiq.
If you are taking Pristiq, you should avoid consuming alcoholic drinks at all costs. This is due to two major reasons:
One, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Alcohol can inhibit the action of Pristiq, which is intended to improve CNS functions such as increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels. This means that medication is no longer as effective as it should be.
Two, alcohol intensifies some of the side effects of Pristiq, such as drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion. This can be extremely dangerous in situations where alertness is required, such as when driving a car or operating heavy machinery.
Here is what you need to know about Pristiq and its interaction with alcohol:
Pristiq belongs to the class of antidepressant drugs called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
The active ingredient in Pristq is desvenlafaxine. It comes as extended-release tablets and is taken by mouth. Pristiq is taken at the same time every day, with or without food.The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Pristiq to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. It is also used to treat anxiety disorders, menopause, panic attacks, and nerve pain.
Pristiq works on the central nervous system (CNS) to improve mood by increasing the number of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin in certain parts of the brain.
This medication is often prescribed to patients in rehab centers for dual diagnosis treatment. The full effects of the medicine may take weeks to be felt.
Pristiq, like any other prescription medication, has potential side effects.
Some of the common side effects of Pristiq include the following:
You may experience none, some, or all of the above-mentioned side effects. If you do, they usually fade away or become less bothersome after a week or two of taking this medicine. In case these side effects last or worsen, consult your healthcare provider.
If you experience sexual side effects or high blood pressure while on Pristiq, they are unlikely to improve with time.
Other side effects of Pristiq can be more serious, so if any of them occur, call your healthcare provider or seek immediate medical attention.
Some of the rare but serious side effects of Pristiq include the following:
As with all other SNRI antidepressants, many people experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping Pristiq use. Consult your doctor before stopping taking Pristiq since the symptoms of withdrawal are reduced by gradually tapering off this medicine.
While these withdrawal symptoms are not life-threatening, they can be pretty unpleasant.
They may include the following:
Doctors usually recommend patients avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while on antidepressant medication. But why?
Mixing Pristiq with alcohol is dangerous since alcohol can worsen depression and interact poorly with the medicine.
Because alcohol affects both inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters, it can act as a stimulant in small doses and a depressant in large doses.
One brain chemical affected by alcohol is glutamate, which increases energy levels and brain activity. Alcohol inhibits glutamate release, causing brain activity to slow down.
On the other hand, alcohol can activate or increase the levels of an inhibitory neurotransmitter known as GABA, which lowers energy levels.
In other words, drinking alcohol can affect your judgment and result in slowed speech, movement, and the ability to think.
When alcohol and Pristiq are combined, the adverse effects of Pristiq, such as dizziness, poor coordination, and drowsiness, are intensified. The combination of the two can result in loss of consciousness, coma, and even death.
It is important to note that potentially dangerous interactions between alcohol and Pristiq can occur when the two drugs are used simultaneously. But health complications can also develop when alcohol is consumed while Pristiq is still present in the body.
Since every person’s body is different, the medication may stay in one person’s system longer than it would in another’s. As a result, it is important that patients using Pristiq refrain from drinking alcohol while on the drug.
A person who has consumed both alcohol and Pristiq may exhibit certain signs and symptoms.
Less severe but common symptoms include the following:
If you notice any of these symptoms, speak to your doctor as soon as possible.
More serious symptoms may include the following:
In these cases, a person must be given immediate medical attention.
Taking Pristiq without a doctor’s advice is harmful, but taking it while drinking alcohol is twice as risky. In any scenario, it’s a good idea to consult with a doctor and be entirely honest before using Pristiq.
Pristiq can be very helpful in managing your depression. If medication helps you reduce your symptoms and helps you enjoy life again, that’s fantastic. But don’t let it give you a false sense of security.
Don’t think you can drink safely because your depression is under control. There are various risks associated with drinking and taking Pristiq.
Here are six reasons why you should not mix alcohol and Pristiq:
One of the most vital things to note about alcohol and depression is that consuming alcohol can worsen symptoms and increase the severity of depressive moods.
Whether you are Pristiq or not, consuming alcohol is a poor coping mechanism that only worsens things.
Many people drink alcohol to cope with bad moods, negative feelings, stress, and painful memories. This is risky not just because it might lead to addiction but also because it does not address the root causes of those negative feelings.
Only professional treatment and good coping skills can actually assist you in processing your thoughts and moods and managing depression in the long run.
You are at greater risk of developing a substance use disorder if you suffer from depression. According to experts, the risk of developing SUD is double compared to those without depression.
Co-occurring mental illnesses, such as depression, with alcohol use disorder, are common and harmful. While they are treatable, managing a dual diagnosis is far more challenging.
If you develop an addiction to alcohol, it will be more difficult to manage your depressive symptoms, reduce the frequency of episodes, and quit or moderate your drinking.
If you have both an alcohol use disorder and depression, you may need more frequent and long-term treatment.
Like other antidepressant drugs, Pristiq has the potential to cause side effects. Drinking can enhance and worsen some of these.
Some of these symptoms include:
The combination of alcohol and Pristiq might impair your thinking and judgment, which can be risky. Drunkenness is a state of impairment that results in poor judgment, poor decisions, and even self-destructive actions.
When alcohol is mixed with Pristiq, the effects of drinking get increased. In other words, you may become intoxicated more quickly and with less alcohol than usual.
Drowsiness is another side effect of excessive drinking. This also gets worsened when Pristiq is used with alcohol. Both substances have sedative effects that slow down the central nervous system.
Both substances make a person feel drowsy and sleepy and cause poor coordination. Injuries and accidents can occur as a result of the concentrated effect of both substances.
The high blood pressure caused by drinking while taking Pristiq has the potential to be lethal. Increased side effects or intensified impairment might result in serious health issues or alcohol poisoning.
Symptoms of depression already put you at risk of having suicidal thoughts. Alcohol only makes the symptoms of depression worse, so the risk of having suicidal ideation or engaging in suicidal behaviors increases.
Treatment for AUD and co-occurring depression can be complex. Still, integrated treatment approaches that address both conditions can be helpful.
An integrated approach addresses both mental conditions in the same sessions or interactions, using specific therapeutic methods as part of a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan.
Effective treatment for co-occurring depression and alcoholism may include a mix of behavioral therapies, medications to alleviate alcohol withdrawal symptoms or treat depressive symptoms, and long-term aftercare planning to help maintain sobriety.
Medications: You may be prescribed antidepressants to help treat depression and certain AUD symptoms.
You may also be given the following:
Inpatient Rehab: After a successful detox, an inpatient setting may be recommended based on several factors determined via substance use disorder evaluation conducted by a healthcare provider.
Inpatient rehab provides round-the-clock monitoring and care in hospitals or other medical centers.
Outpatient Rehab: Outpatient treatment provides much of the same care as inpatient treatment but is less intensive. Outside of treatment hours, patients are free to return home and continue with daily life.
Outpatient treatment may only be an option if a person’s current physical dependency does not need inpatient treatment.
Detox: A person seeking treatment will need to go through a detox phase before entering an inpatient or outpatient program. Because detoxing from alcohol can be uncomfortable—even dangerous for people who have developed a serious physical reliance, it is best to detox in a medically supervised setting.
Behavioral Therapies: Many behavioral therapies help address both AUD and depression. These therapies help develop healthy coping behaviors.
These may include the following:
Navigating the journey to recovery can bring up many questions. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about our services. If you need more information or have additional questions, we are only a phone call away.
What happens if you drink alcohol while on Pristiq?
If you are using Pristiq, you should avoid drinking alcohol. This medicine may induce specific adverse effects, which might be worsened by consuming alcohol. Alcohol can intensify the nervous system side effects of Pristiq, such as difficulty concentrating, drowsiness, and dizziness.
Some persons may also develop cognitive and judgment impairment. While being treated with Pristiq, you should avoid your usage of alcohol.
It is also advised not to use Pristiq more than the recommended dose. While on Pristiq, avoid activities requiring mental alertness, such as driving a car or operating heavy machinery.
What can happen if you drink alcohol while on antidepressants?
If you are taking any antidepressant medication, it is generally best to avoid alcoholic drinks. The combination can worsen your symptoms, and it can be very dangerous. If you drink alcohol while on an antidepressant: You may feel more anxious or depressed Side effects of both substances may get worsened Your thinking and alertness may be impaired You may become sedated or feel drowsy You may have trouble sleeping
You may risk developing a substance use disorder
What should you not mix with Pristiq?
Along with alcohol, there are many other drugs that may interfere with Pristiq and affect its effectiveness. These include:
Medications for depression, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (moclobemide, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine).
Street drugs such as MDMA and St. John’s wort
Drugs that affect serotonin levels, e.g., methadone, tramadol, fentanyl, dextromethorphan, and pentazocine
Medicines used to treat ADHD, such as lisdexamfetamine and dexamphetamine
Medication for weight loss, including sibutramine
Muscle relaxants, such as carisoprodol and cyclobenzaprine
Opioids (used to manage pain)
Triptans (used to treat migraine)
Linezolid (used to treat infections)
Drugs that affect your tendency to bleed (e.g., Aspirin, NSAIDs, Warfarin)
What can you not mix with lorazepam?
Drinking or taking other illicit drugs while taking lorazepam enhances your chances of experiencing these life-threatening adverse effects. So, it is not advised to drink alcohol or other drugs while taking lorazepam.It is unsafe to combine lorazepam with alcohol. Both of these drugs release Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA). The liver removes the GABA. However, when these two drugs are combined, the liver cannot perform as it should.
Because the liver cannot function effectively, the overdose risks are considerably increased. Many people are unaware of this, and as a result, they overdose.
What antidepressants can you drink alcohol while taking?
There are no antidepressants that are considered safe when used with alcohol. Mixing alcohol and antidepressants can have a negative effect on the brain because both substances disrupt chemical pathways between brain cells.Some healthcare providers may say that light to moderate drinking is fine while taking certain antidepressants, such as SSRIs. SSRIs work by boosting the levels of serotonin in the brain.
However, alcohol temporarily increases serotonin levels, which can be harmful if levels become too high. This can result in serotonin syndrome, which causes dangerously high blood pressure, muscular twitching, and agitation.
It’s also important to understand that other antidepressants, such as MAOIs, have more harmful interactions than SSRIs.
Suboxone, a medication commonly used for opioid addiction treatment, has shown potential benefits in managing
How Long Alcohol Stays in Your System If you’re wondering how long alcohol stays in
Let’s talk about what’s going on — no judgment. (We’ve been there before ourselves). No one will know you inquired and there is no commitment to call.
Need someone to talk to? We’re here when you need it most.
There’s no obligation to get your questions answered.
No one will ever know you inquired.
Top 10% of rehabs in the country
3161 S Prosperous Pl. Green Valley, AZ 85614
5201 Stagecoach Rd, Little Rock, AR 72204
The Haven Detox - West Memphis
410 South Avalon St. West Memphis, AR 72301
The Haven Detox - Florida Alcohol & Drug Rehab
1325 N Haverhill Rd West Palm Beach, FL 33417
1369 Grafton St Worcester, MA 01604
6 Collier Dr Blackwood, NJ 08012
Copyright © 2025 The Haven Detox. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy · Blog · Bilingual Detox · Careers
