USE OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

Abstract

Introduction: Depression is characterized as a chemical and affective change in humans. Alcohol is conceptualized as a psychotropic drug that acts on the Central Nervous System. The interaction of medications such as antidepressants with alcohol can result in harmful chemical changes in an individual's brain and body. Objective: To analyze the profile of antidepressant use associated with alcoholic beverages and the possible consequences of this combination. Method: This is a bibliographic review with an exploratory approach, consisting of current scientific articles focused on the topic. Results: The articles revealed a higher percentage of use of antidepressants associated with alcohol in female students and a high use of these combinations in male patients treated by a Psychosocial Alcohol and Drug Care Center. The antidepressant-alcohol interaction can cause problems such as enhancing the effects of the medication on the central nervous system. Conclusion: Through this work, it was possible to understand the profile of users of antidepressants in combination with alcoholic beverages and also evaluate how this combination interacts with each other. Furthermore, the importance of the presence of the pharmacist in the dispensing environments of these medications was highlighted to promote patients' quality of life.