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Antipsychotic Medications and Alcohol Interactions

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on May 28, 2024.

Antipsychotics are a large class of medications used to treat symptoms of psychosis such as delusions (for example, hearing voices), hallucinations, paranoia, or confused thoughts. They are used for other mental health disorders as well. They work by changing the balance and effects of chemicals in the brain.

Some of the most common uses for antipsychotics are:

Older antipsychotics are called first generation antipsychotics (or typical antipsychotics).

Newer antipsychotics are called second generation antipsychotics, also known as atypical antipsychotics. Common atypical antipsychotics include brand names like Abilify, Latuda and Seroquel. Atypical antipsychotics are less likely to produce movement disorders such as tremor, Parkinson-like symptoms and tardive dyskinesia, a serious movement disorder with abnormal, repetitive facial movements and tongue protrusion.

Can you mix alcohol with antipsychotics?

In general, antipsychotic medications should be avoided with alcohol consumption.

The combination of second generation antipsychotics and alcohol can cause the following side effects:

If you combine alcohol with the older first generation antipsychotics, the side effects can be more pronounced. The following reactions may occur:

Learn More: What is Schizophrenia?

Types of Antipsychotics

Avoid driving, operating machinery, or engaging in potentially hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until you know how these or other medications affect you.

To learn more about individual antipsychotic drug interactions with alcohol, select the Interactions tab on each monograph below and speak to your doctor and pharmacist.

Table 1. Second Generation Antipsychotics

Generic Name Example Brand Names
aripiprazole, aripiprazole lauroxil Abilify, Abilify Maintena, Aristada
brexpiprazole Rexulti
cariprazine Vraylar
clozapine Clozaril
iloperidone Fanapt
lumateperone Caplyta
lurasidone Latuda
olanzapine Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis
olanzapine and samidorphan Lybalvi
paliperidone Invega
pimavanserin Nuplazid
quetiapine Seroquel, Seroquel XR
risperidone Risperdal
ziprasidone Geodon

Lybalvi (olanzapine and samidorphan) was approved in May 2021 and is a combination of olanzapine and samidorphan, a novel μ-opioid receptor antagonist for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder.

Table 2. First Generation Antipsychotics

Generic Name Example Brand Names
chlorpromazine none available
fluphenazine none available
haloperidol Haldol
loxapine Adasuve
perphenazine none available
pimozide none available
prochlorperazine Compro rectal suppositories
thioridazine none available
thiothixene Navane
trifluoperazine none available

*Note: These tables may not be a complete list; always check with your pharmacist or doctor for possible drug-alcohol interactions or other interactions. Tell your healthcare providers about all of the medications you use, including prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, vitamins or other herbal and dietary supplements.

Check antipsychotic drug interactions here: Drugs.com Drug Interaction Checker

Types of Drug Interactions With Alcohol

Sources

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer