Wellbutrin + stimulants

[rick055]

I was just prescribed Wellbutrin, 150 mg bid.

On the package insert, under possible interactions, it says that stimulants (and specifically mentions ehpedra) can further lower the "seizure threshold" and could potentially be contraindicated.

For someone who takes 37.5 mg ephedrine twice daily for mild asthma, is this a problem? Is it a problem in conjunction with caffeine?

Any input on practical interactions about which I may be unaware would be appreciated, too.

TIA

[HeadDoc]

the max dose of wellbutrin is 450 mg per day. I have seen one pt on 400mg. Ask your doc if keeping an eye on your bp is enough of a precaution.

[rick055]

Originally Posted by HeadDoc

the max dose of wellbutrin is 450 mg per day. I have seen one pt on 400mg. Ask your doc if keeping an eye on your bp is enough of a precaution.

Is the problem with the ephedrine/bupropion interaction blood pressure or seizure problems?

At 300 mg/day wellbutrin and 75 mg per day ephedrine, do you think that's a problem (understanding nothing you say is advice, just banter)?

[cpeil2]

Originally Posted by rick055

I was just prescribed Wellbutrin, 150 mg bid.

On the package insert, under possible interactions, it says that stimulants (and specifically mentions ehpedra) can further lower the "seizure threshold" and could potentially be contraindicated.

For someone who takes 37.5 mg ephedrine twice daily for mild asthma, is this a problem? Is it a problem in conjunction with caffeine?

Any input on practical interactions about which I may be unaware would be appreciated, too.

TIA

Ephedrine for asthma is kind of old-fashioned. Is there some reason that you use it rather than something like albuterol?

[rick055]

Originally Posted by cpeil2

Ephedrine for asthma is kind of old-fashioned. Is there some reason that you use it rather than something like albuterol?

Just cheaper than another script, i assume. Plus I only have to take it when I need it which is not every day.

i have never been formally diagnosed with asthma by a doctor, but when I take aerobics/spinning, etc... kind of classes, it helps me breathe.

[cpeil2]

Originally Posted by rick055

Just cheaper than another script, i assume. Plus I only have to take it when I need it which is not every day.

i have never been formally diagnosed with asthma by a doctor, but when I take aerobics/spinning, etc... kind of classes, it helps me breathe.

You might ask your doc about an albuterol inhaler. A 200-dose inhaler would probably cost $30.00 or less. It's a short-acting bronchodilator that would be ideal for what you need it for - occasional exercise-induced asthma. A few people find it mildly stimulating, most don't.

[rick055]

Originally Posted by cpeil2

You might ask your doc about an albuterol inhaler. A 200-dose inhaler would probably cost $30.00 or less. It's a short-acting bronchodilator that would be ideal for what you need it for - occasional exercise-induced asthma. A few people find it mildly stimulating, most don't.

Thanks for the heads up. I will inquire.

Any interactions to worry about with the wellbutrin?

[clloyd]

I personally think ephredine is the dirtiest stimulant out there because of its strong systemic effects....but that's my opinion. I would suggest the same....albuterol inhaler works better and doesn't make your heart feel like its pounding out of your chest....

I was never prescribed Wellbutrin since I take adderall but have considered getting off the adderall and using Wellbutrin to quit a chewing tobacco habit. However, the only thing I know about Wellbutrin is that it has direct effects or norepinephrine unlike a standard SSRI.

What are you taking it for? I have found that for mild depression and trouble focusing that people have found it useful. I would be worried that Wellbutrin and ephredrine (especially at that ephredine dose) would lead to some anxiety??? There is a lot of google items on Wellbutrin plus ritalin and adderrall...you might get something that applies to general amphetamines.

[Sargovar]

Originally Posted by rick055

Thanks for the heads up. I will inquire.

Any interactions to worry about with the wellbutrin?

I would be wary of taking any significant amount of caffeine while on Wellbutrin.. for me, at least, that combination proved quite unsettling. I was shaking and feeling completely wound up and hyper after just 1 small cup of coffee in the morning.

In my case, the drug provided an initial "rush", of sorts, which quickly tapered down to a feeling of being ill at ease & anxious . It made me a whole lot more jittery and nervous, overall. Also, I don't know if it had a huge part to play, but one day I completely broke down emotionally and felt like I wanted to die right there on the spot - and there was no specific external catalyst.. it all came from within.

Then again, I seem to have bad adrenals, so taking any kind of a stimulant is bad for me.
If there is one good thing I can say about Wellbutrin, it is that it didn't kill my sex drive (though it didn't enhance it, either), unlike SSRIs, which give me a horrible case of zombie dick.