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Wellbutrin Drug Interactions

by on August 8, 2012

Combining Wellbutrin with certain medications can cause interactions by either increasing or decreasing the effects of either drugs. It is important to discuss with your healthcare all drugs you normally take.

Significant Drug Interactions

Below are some of the drugs that can potentially cause significant drug interactions when taken with Wellbutrin.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) – Wellbutrin should never be combined with a MAOI drug because of the increased risk of life-threatening side effects. You should wait at least 14 days of discontinuing the MAOI before starting Wellbutrin treatment.

  • Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
  • Phenelzine (Nardil)
  • Rasagiline (Azilect)
  • Selegiline (Eldepryl, Zelapar)
  • Tranylcypromine (Parnate)

Certain blood thinners – These drugs are used to prevent blood clotting in patients with certain cardiovascular conditions. Combining these drugs with Wellbutrin may slow the metabolism of bupropion in the body, potentially causing an increase in blood levels, as well as higher risk of side effects. Consult your healthcare provider before starting treatment.

  • Clopidogrel (Plavix)
  • Ticlopidine (Ticlid)
  • Tirofiban (Aggrastat)

Cancer drugs or chemotherapeutic agents – Although it is suggested that combining Wellbutrin with certain chemotherapeutic agents can cause drug interactions, no reports have been recorded of such an interaction. Meanwhile some cancer agents, particularly doxorubicin, may increase the level of Wellbutrin in the body and possibly increase your risk for side effects. If you are taking Wellbutrin with a cancer drug, your doctor may closely monitor your response to treatment and, if necessary, adjust your dose.

  • Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar)
  • Doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Doxil)
  • Irinotecan (Camptosar)
  • Thiotepa (Thioplex)

Heart or antihypertensive drugs – Wellbutrin is thought to increase the blood levels of heart or blood pressure medications, especially beta blockers.  If taking these drugs with Wellbutrin, your doctor may closely monitor your response to treatment and, if necessary, adjust your dose.

  • Atenolol (Tenormin)
  • Flecainide (Tambocor)
  • Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol)
  • Propafenone (Rythmol)
  • Propranolol (Inderal)

HIV/AIDS medications - These medications may increase the metabolism and excretion of Wellbutrin, causing reduced blood levels of Wellbutrin, and possibly making it less effective. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking these drugs together. Your healthcare provider may recommend higher dose of Wellbutrin, but should not exceed the recommended maximum dosage.

  • efavirenz (Atripla, Sustiva)
  • ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra)

Aside from the drugs discussed above, there are many other medications that can increase your risk of seizures when taken along with bupropion. Discuss with your healthcare provider the risks of combining Wellbutrin with all other medications, particularly:

  • Antidepressant or psychotropic drugs
  • Antihistamines
  • Bronchodilators or asthma drugs
  • Certain antibiotics
  • Stimulants, diet pills containing stimulants, or ADHD drugs
  • Antidiabetic drugs or insulin
  • Steroids
  • Sedatives
  • Narcotic pain medications
  • Medications used during organ transplants
  • Street drugs
  • Theophylline.

Inform your healthcare provider if you are taking any of these drugs. Depending on your response to this drug combination, your healthcare provider may recommend stopping or changing one of the medications, adjusting the doses or dosing schedule, or discontinuing all these medications.

This medication guide does not contain all the drugs that can potentially interact with Wellbutrin. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about all the drugs you normally take, including prescription and nonprescription drugs such as vitamins, supplements, herbal products and other health products.

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