100% Confidential
Dr. Rostislav Ignatov, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Over 16 million Americans experience depression yearly, which is rising in the country. One in six people will experience depression at some point in their lives. Regardless of age, ethnicity, or gender, anyone is prone to developing this mental health condition. Doctors can recommend antidepressant medications if you experience depression and seek treatment to stabilize and improve your mood.
There are several indicators and depressive symptoms, such as but not limited to:
Prozac, possibly the most well-known antidepressant medicine from the class of drugs, is also called fluoxetine. A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as fluoxetine, is actually the most commonly prescribed medication to treat depression.
The good news is that Prozac is the most popular antidepressant medication that has many benefits for depression, including improved energy, appetite, and sleep. It also improves moods, making you more productive and able to focus on tasks. While Prozac does have some side effects, these typically go away after a couple of weeks.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) warns that alcohol addiction can interact with several types of medications. Some of these interactions include depression and seizures. If you take Prozac or fluoxetine, you must avoid drinking alcohol while on them.
Before taking Prozac, you should tell your healthcare provider about other health conditions you suffer. Get effective treatment for depression and alcohol use by the supervised doctors at The Haven Detox-New England. The Haven is one of the top facilities in the United States to treat mental health disorders when addiction co-occurs.
One way to understand the function of Prozac is to know how it works with the human brain. Prozac works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which fools the dopamine receptors and leaves more dopamine in the junction between neurons.
However, it takes a while for serotonin levels to rise to the level required to be picked up by the receptors. Serotonin is a chemical messenger that travels from neuron to neuron, sending messages and regulating mood. Its deficiency can cause a depressive state, but Prozac helps increase serotonin levels in the brain. It may take six to eight weeks before you start to notice results.
It’s also important to continue taking the medication even after you feel better. The body needs time to get used to the drug, and stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and depression. The best way to avoid this unpleasant side effect is to decrease your dose slowly but consistently.
The typical patient dose of Prozac ranges from 10 mg to 80 mg. Doctors also require a thorough medical history due to possible hazardous reactions. You may still suffer side effects while taking the medication exactly as directed (at the correct dose and by itself).
Higher doses of Prozac can cause common side effects of Prozac that are:
It has been shown that drinking alcohol while on Prozac may increase the risk of suicide.
Drinking alcohol can exacerbate serious side effects for your mental health. Alcohol-dependent people feel a pleasurable and energizing impact; it also acts as a sedative and can cause interactions with other medications. Drinking alcohol while taking Prozac can be a dangerous combination. Both substance abuse can impair judgment and lower inhibitions, increasing the risk of violent or major depressive disorder.
It has been shown that alcohol may increase the risk of suicide. Therefore, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider before combining Prozac with alcohol. This professional can make a personalized recommendation based on your specific needs and provide referrals to support groups.
In addition to the increased risk of suicide, alcohol and Prozac may reduce a person’s inhibitions and impair their judgment. They may also be prone to self-harm and violent behavior. Furthermore, alcohol and Prozac can cause a person to fall and become weaker, making it easier for them to injure themselves or others. Drinking alcohol while taking SSRIs can generally increase the risk of heart failure, coma, and other dangerous outcomes.
While Prozac and alcohol have very few common effects, they have a higher risk of panic disorder if drunk on Prozac. Alcohol interacts with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and can cause dangerous spikes in blood pressure. However, SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) do not have this effect.
Drinking alcohol while on Prozac can, however, increase your risk of depression, suicidal ideation, and other adverse mental health effects. As a result, it’s never a good idea to mix alcohol with your medication. If you’re taking Prozac, you’ll need to discuss your alcohol consumption with your healthcare provider.
Alcohol can affect your judgment, motor skills, and thinking. It can cause drowsiness and lead to nausea, nervousness, and heart palpitations. Drinking alcohol while taking Prozac includes a higher risk of serotonin syndrome, which occurs when the serotonin level in the bloodstream is too high. Alcohol and most medications interact poorly with one another.
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, slowing down bodily functions. Because alcohol and Prozac affect the same brain parts, they can interact and enhance each other’s adverse effects. When combined, the two can cause heightened feelings of anxiety and depression, which can lead to suicidal thoughts.
Drinking alcohol while on Prozac may exacerbate symptoms of depression. Substance use disorders inhibit the central nervous system’s function and alter how the brain responds to medications. Alcohol can cause sedation and make a person feel tired and less confident. Therefore, alcohol and Prozac should not be taken together.
Alcohol and Prozac can cause negative emotions and increase the risk of suicide and self-harm. Alcohol also makes the decision-making process more difficult. Therefore, sudden thoughts of suicide or self-harm are difficult to distinguish from other types of mental illness. It is essential for people taking Prozac to report suicidal thoughts or behavior.
The highest risks associated with mixing Prozac and drinking alcohol are for the elderly. Because they typically take several medications at a time, they are more vulnerable to drug interactions. If you are taking Prozac for an alcohol use disorder, your treatment should be tailored to your unique situation and medical history.
If you drink alcohol while taking Prozac, you may have an alcohol use disorder. Alcohol abuse may be an indication of an alcohol use disorder, which requires special treatment. In addition to treating depression, you should seek treatment for any co-occurring disorder, such as alcohol use disorder. Treatment options at The Haven Detox New England, are not limited to detoxification because we can also provide residential treatment and intensive behavioral therapies.
Get answers about your cost / coverage now.
Your information will be kept private
24/7 Support
No Commitment
100% Private
There’s no catch. Checking your insurance is simply a way to see what your plan covers — it doesn’t lock you into treatment, notify anyone, or cost you anything. You get answers upfront to decide what makes sense for you.
Protecting your privacy matters! No information or notifications are ever sent to your employer or family — whether you check your insurance online or call. Everything is handled through secure, encrypted systems that meet strict medical privacy laws. You stay in control of your information!
Luckily, most insurance policies cover treatment here. Depending on the healthcare you’ve already had this year, costs could even be zero. Instead of worrying, let’s just find out what your plan covers.
Most likely. We work with major providers like Cigna, Aetna, and United Healthcare, public insurances like Tricare and tribal plans, and even smaller plans like Surest Bind and Harvard Pilgrim. The quickest way to know for sure is to check online or call. It’s a quick, private way to understand what is covered upfront.
Verifying your insurance isn’t a commitment to start treatment — it’s simply a way to see what your options are. Knowing your coverage ahead of time helps you make more informed, confident decisions. It also helps flag a spot, so you’re able to get right in if you ever do decide you’re ready.
You need your policy number to check your specific policy online. If you want general information, just call. You likely have questions beyond insurance anyway. Reaching out now helps you figure out the right fit if or when you’re ready. You don’t have to put off the call until you’re in crisis. Calling is not scary, I promise!
