Can I Drink Alcohol on Serzone?
Sometimes people are warned to avoid alcohol while taking
Serzone® (
nefazodone hydrochloride). This is because alcohol and medicines like Serzone act upon similar chemicals in the brain. Therefore, the concern is that Serzone will increase the effects of alcohol -- whether this means increasing
symptoms of depression or affecting motor skills.
Practically, when many healthcare providers are asked whether it is okay to drink alcohol on Serzone, they recommend that if a person chooses to drink, they only drink light to moderate amounts, and only after they understand the effects that Serzone (and other medicines they are taking) may have on their body.
Alcohol and Serzone: What Is Moderate Drinking?
When healthcare providers recommend moderate alcohol drinking, they mean one drink a day for women, and two drinks a day for men. Because the alcohol content in drinks varies, what counts as one drink also varies. When healthcare providers talk about one alcoholic drink, they are referring to one of the following examples:
- 12 ounces of beer
- 5 ounces of wine
- 1 ounce of 80-proof whiskey, or 1 ounce of 100-proof spirits.
Using Caution With Alcohol and Serzone
If a person decides to drink alcohol in moderation while on Serzone, it is recommended that they do not drink alcohol at the same time that they take their medication.
Also, people should learn the effects that Serzone will have on their body before they begin drinking. Serzone can cause drowsiness and may affect some individuals' ability to perform certain functions, such as driving a car or operating machinery.
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