Can Lexapro and Wellbutrin be taken at the same time?
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 at
10:32 am
I just got prescribe Wellburtrin almost 2 weeks ago. But I still have some lexapro left. Im still terribly depressed, and I wanted to know what would happen if I combined both of them? Would it be bad, will I feel better?
Filed under: anxiety treatment
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Here’s what I got from http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.php
Drug Interaction Results
Drug interaction results for the following 2 drug(s):
Lexapro (escitalopram)
Wellbutrin (buPROPion)
Interactions between your selected drugs
Major Drug-Drug Interaction Wellbutrin (buPROPion) and Lexapro (escitalopram) (Major Drug-Drug)
MONITOR CLOSELY: The use of bupropion is associated with a dose-related risk of seizures. The estimated incidence of seizures is approximately 0.1% at dosages up to 300 mg/day and 0.4% at dosages between 300 to 450 mg/day, but increases almost tenfold between 450 mg and 600 mg/day. The risk may also be increased during coadministration with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI antidepressants or anorectics), monoamine oxidase inhibitors, neuroleptic agents, central nervous system stimulants, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, other tricyclic compounds (e.g., cyclobenzaprine, phenothiazines), systemic steroids, and/or any substance that can reduce the seizure threshold (e.g., carbapenems, cholinergic agents, fluoroquinolones, interferons, chloroquine, mefloquine, lindane, theophylline). These agents are often individually epileptogenic and may have additive effects when combined.
MANAGEMENT: Extreme caution is advised if bupropion is administered with any substance that can reduce the seizure threshold, particularly in the elderly and in patients with a history of seizures or other risk factors for seizures (e.g., head trauma; brain tumor; severe hepatic cirrhosis; metabolic disorders; CNS infections; excessive use of alcohol or sedatives; addiction to opiates, cocaine, or stimulants; diabetes treated with oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin). Bupropion as well as concomitant medications should be initiated at the lower end of the dose range and titrated gradually if feasible. The total dose of bupropion should generally not exceed 450 mg/day (or 150 mg every other day in patients with severe hepatic cirrhosis). Bupropion should be discontinued and not restarted in patients who experience a seizure during treatment.
I take generic Wellbutrin SR (150 mg) in the morning, and Lexapro (10 mg) with dinner, for depression and anxiety. I’ve been taking that for over two years, and it’s working very well for me.
The Wellbutrin SR seems to help me to be more alert and active - and wanting to do things - while the Lexapro makes me more mellow, and it helps me sleep better, too. They are relatively low doses of each medication, which keeps side effects at a minimum. I really can’t tell I’m taking any medication at all.
I’ve heard of a lot of people that take Wellbutrin and Lexapro together. The Wellbutrin seems to help counteract some of the side effects of the Lexapro - the drowsiness, lack of energy, and the sexual side effects.
There’s no problem taking them together