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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Susan J on November 6, 2003, at 13:45:39
So they tell me not to mix drinking and Wellbutrin....why not?
Anyone have any bad experiences with this? I'm not talking getting myself sloshed....just a coupla drinks here and there at happy hour...
Why's it so bad?
Susan
Posted by Wildflower on November 6, 2003, at 13:57:59
In reply to I'm gonna ask a drug question -- Wellbutrin , posted by Susan J on November 6, 2003, at 13:45:39
Welcome back Susan! :-)
Someone else here might be able to give you a chemical explanation but here's what I've found...
In general it's not a good idea to drink on ADs since alcohol is a depressant. However, I think most of us do it anyway. ADs intensify the effects of alcohol so it hits you quicker. If you ask me, it just means a cheaper bar bill. ;-)
Seriously, some people get very dizzy or blackout by not knowing their new limits (while on ADs). Unfortunately I found it out the hard way thinking I could keep up with my pre-AD social drinking limit. Please be very careful.
Posted by Susan J on November 6, 2003, at 14:05:33
In reply to Re: I'm gonna ask a drug question -- Wellbutrin » Susan J, posted by Wildflower on November 6, 2003, at 13:57:59
Thanks!
When I was on Paxil, drinking a half a glass of wine did me in! I've had some drinks a few times on Wellbutrin and really haven't noticed a difference...
I don't drink too often, but I enjoy it when I do, and I was hoping I wouldn't have to give that up too...
Susan
Posted by Wildflower on November 6, 2003, at 14:16:37
In reply to Re: I'm gonna ask a drug question -- Wellbutrin » Wildflower, posted by Susan J on November 6, 2003, at 14:05:33
It really depends on the person. I had horrible reaction while mixing Prozac and drinking. Lexapro seems to be better but it still accelerates the effects.
Posted by edw on November 6, 2003, at 15:43:46
In reply to Re: I'm gonna ask a drug question -- Wellbutrin » Susan J, posted by Wildflower on November 6, 2003, at 14:16:37
"Prozac/Welbutrin(xl) mix" person here. Well, I found alcohol knocks the AD level in your system down after the alcohol wears off and its like I have to build up my levels all over after drinking a lot. I'm back up to snuff emotionally after two or three days.
Its defintely not recommended since the two substances are opposites but I do it. I drank on Zoloft when I was on that years ago and got very very intensely organized in my thinking as if it made me more able to concentrate, except very very intense. I could win any argument I set out to win cause the person would be tongue tied as I was so fast with the next piece of my argument. It was wierd. I got off Zoloft cause of the sexual problems it made, but now they mis Welbutrin with these things and I had already switched to Prozac after a blind study once and liked it.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on November 6, 2003, at 16:10:18
In reply to I'm gonna ask a drug question -- Wellbutrin , posted by Susan J on November 6, 2003, at 13:45:39
> Anyone have any bad experiences with this? I'm not talking getting myself sloshed....just a coupla drinks here and there at happy hour...
----------and just to illustrate how differently drugs affect people, the first time I drank after starting Wellbutrin (300mg XL) I noticed an opposite effect... I felt entirely sober after drinking an amount that should have made me at least mildly drunk.
I haven't really drank any considerable amount since that time (~4 weeks ago), though I make it a habit to drink 8oz of red wine a day, which gives me a mild buzz, so things must be back to normal.
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 6, 2003, at 16:25:51
In reply to I'm gonna ask a drug question -- Wellbutrin , posted by Susan J on November 6, 2003, at 13:45:39
Not only does alcohol counteract anti-depressant effects, but it lowers your convulsion threshold... increases the risk of seizures...
Every drink increases risk, I suppose, but in comparison to an alcoholic, or someone with a eating disorder, it would be minimal. (alcoholics and people w/eating disorders, even past ones, are not supposed to take Wellbutrin)
Kdi in TX
So they tell me not to mix drinking and Wellbutrin....why not?
>
> Anyone have any bad experiences with this? I'm not talking getting myself sloshed....just a coupla drinks here and there at happy hour...
>
> Why's it so bad?
>
> Susan
Posted by theo on November 6, 2003, at 19:27:31
In reply to Re: I'm gonna ask a drug question -- Wellbutrin , posted by KimberlyDi on November 6, 2003, at 16:25:51
Where did you hear that alcoholics aren't suppose to take Wellbutrin? I've heard the exact opposite. Wellbutrin is relatively safe and tolerable and because many alcoholics have mood disorders, Wellbutrin is suggested over most SSRI's for alcoholics.
Posted by KellyD on November 6, 2003, at 20:54:26
In reply to Re: I'm gonna ask a drug question -- Wellbutrin » KimberlyDi, posted by theo on November 6, 2003, at 19:27:31
http://www.wellbutrin-xl.com/images/safety.pdf
An Adobe document from the Wellbutrin website.
Posted by jonh kimble on November 7, 2003, at 1:46:16
In reply to Re: I'm gonna ask a drug question -- Wellbutrin » Susan J, posted by Wildflower on November 6, 2003, at 13:57:59
Well, at this very moment I am drunk and on wellbutrin. Cheers!!
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 7, 2003, at 14:51:02
In reply to Re: I'm gonna ask a drug question -- Wellbutrin » KimberlyDi, posted by theo on November 6, 2003, at 19:27:31
> Where did you hear that alcoholics aren't suppose to take Wellbutrin? I've heard the exact opposite. Wellbutrin is relatively safe and tolerable and because many alcoholics have mood disorders, Wellbutrin is suggested over most SSRI's for alcoholics.
http://www.wellbutrin-xl.com/images/safety.pdf
1. it states not to drink alot of alcohol on wellbutrin
2. don't abruptly stop alcohol or any sedatives while on itRelapse is common for alcoholics which results in a continuing cycle of too many drinks, and abrupt stops. Someone who was secure in his/her sobriety for several years would probably be ok.
Wellbutrin can be effective in curbing some alcohol cravings.
KDi in TX
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 7, 2003, at 14:54:54
In reply to Re: I'm gonna ask a drug question -- Wellbutrin, posted by jonh kimble on November 7, 2003, at 1:46:16
> Well, at this very moment I am drunk and on wellbutrin. Cheers!!
Cheers to you!
Hey, it's said "God (or your chosen higher power) looks after fools and children"... I've been both!!! I survived without any seizures on Wellbutrin.
May you not be visited by any hangovers tomorrow morning!!! :)
KDi in TX
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