I just started 150 ml Bupropion 2 days ago. My doctor recommended it for depression and anxiety. While I do struggle with both as my work and home life are very hectic, I have never taken anything for it. Situations changed and I decided to give it a try to see if it improves my symptoms. However, I am concerned to read the comments about drinking. I do drink wine, everyday. 3-4 glasses and don't plan to stop. But, I see that others say it has made them very sick to drink while on this medication. I certainly don't want seizure side effects. It also says not to quit drinking while on this medication. Confusing. I have noticed though in just two days that smoking tastes terrible and for that I am happy as I do want to quit. Today I'm noticing a strange, sort of off balance (in my head) feeling that I don't like. I am very sensitive to any sort of medication. I want to give this medication a chance but am worried and don't want to wait to stop in a few weeks when my body is dependant and I have to ween myself. But I also don't want to freak my family out by having a seizure after having a glass or two of wine. Any experience with this?
Wellbutrin and drinking?
Question posted by lgoldbeck on 22 March 2013
Last updated on 13 May 2022
69 Answers Page 5
im not answering im just saying.. oh my god, i take wellbutrin and i drink at least a pint in a half of whiskey a day... i dont know how to stop and ur posts scare me...
All medication affects everyone differently, and some of us are winners in the genetic lottery.
My doctor prescribed this drug for 2 reasons: 1) Smoking Cessation (and it really does help!). #2) Depression. I drink beer, daily. I haven't encountered any problems. If anybody has a desire to quit smoking, I STRONGLY recommend you ask your doctor for Wellbutrin or Bupropion (generic name). It really helps.
How many mg a day do you take and for how long have you been taking it? Do you still drink with Wellbutrin?
I just been on welbutrine for two weeks. My husband comes home in a week from work he has 2 weeks off. We drink almost every day, I drink between 6 to 10 a day. This 2 week period is the only time I drink then I don't drink for 28 days. Am I going to be okay. Is there anyone who can relate to my dilemma.
I've had severe reactions to lowering alcohol being on Wellbutrin. I didn't drink for almost a year but I've started again. I thought I was being carful because I was drinking a lot less but still every day. Sometimes I still have problems even at only half pint. So I think it has more to do with how often than how much. I can go a week without drinking then drink a 5th and not have problems.
Thank you!!!
I feel I must share my horrific story. I’ve been on Wellbutrin for about 2 1/2 months. I have a few drinks a couple times a month and have had no ill effects of being on Wellbutrin. However, on Christmas Eve, just a few days ago I drank a lot more than normal, was having a great time, noticed I was a lot drunker than I should of been. My family hosted Christmas and after everyone left a simple conversation with my husband turned into complete hysteria for no reason. He’s a police officer and after he went to bed I went into his safe and took out his gun and contemplated my life. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I’VE EVER THOUGHT ABOUT. I’m not a severely depressed person or suicidal, the thought never crossed my mind. After sitting in fetal position on the floor for an hour I put his gun back and went and told him I was suicidal and put his gun in my mouth (which wasn't true) and thatour family might be better off without me.
I can’t stress enough that this is just not me. It was like an out of body experience. I’m so FREAKED out as is he. I didn’t realize how dangerous it can be to drink. In addition I completely blacked out putting gifts under tree from Santa, etc. I wasn’t even that depressed when I went on them, I heard good things that Wellbutrin was a good pick me up and you can loose weight with it. I threw out my pills, so done with that. Going to go a holistic route with diet and meditation. Just be aware. I think I seriously damaged my marriage with this. I keep telling him it was the wellbutrin booze combo, but not sure he believes me. What a nightmare. Please heed my warning and be careful combining the two. We’ve been together for 15 years and this type of hysteria has never happened, ever.
I feel awfull for you having to go through that and pray that God heals your wounds with time and patience. I was shocked to read your story as well because the same thing happened to me!!! I can't believe some else experienced this and around same time as me... I too must have blacked out New Year's Eve. I had to ask my boyfriend what happened because I don't remember after a certain point! And what he told me I did, I completely don't remember doing! At first I thought oh well I must have just forgotten a few things but after reading this I see now that it was a black out! Because not only does my boyfriend tells me I did so many other things I don't remember about, that we had a major fight, that we were in living room talking, that I seduced him, etc. -but I also found upon waking up that all my personal belongings had been shoved into my car!!! Everything! Clothes, shoes, bags, etc.
All packed into the car! Apparently I was planning on leaving him that night! Drunk! And I don't remember anything of it! After he had fallen asleep I must have gotten up and continued on and about for a long time.. Packing maybe.. Don't know.. I do remember fighting with him big time over some stupidity ( for which I got hysterical) toward the end of the night., but after we got home I don't remember a thing, yet the evidence was seeing my car all filled with the things I was supposedly taking w me. I don't know what made me decide not to leave that same night but I thank God I didn't... Only HE knows where I would have ended up that night IF I had made it alive. I look back and I know for sure it was the combination of the alcohol with the Wellbutrin.. It was paychotic behavior I had never been known to do in my life! It's scary!
For sure I will stop drinking even the innocent glasses of wine when i relax with in the evenings... I cannot express how scary this is. I can imagine how you feel with your experience...
I don't know if you will read this CA70 as it was a while back that you posted. I was wondering if you and your husband got things sorted out. I think it a little mean that he didn't support you more instead of putting u on a guilt trip after 16 yrs of marriage. It wasn't hysteria you went thru it was a lethal (for you) combo of drink and medicine. I just wanted to wish you well and empathize with you. Black outs are very scary. Before I gave up the drink I too was having blackouts due to combo of meds and booze. God Blessyou.
What dose are you guys on of Wellbutrin? I am SO very sorry for what some of you are going through! :(
I've been on Wellbutrin for a couple weeks now and am doing great. I'm on 150mg per day. Doc added it
when I completely lost my sex drive while on just the Lexapro. I'm not a big drinker, but I have an occasional glass of wine at dinner, when out. Don't drink at home at all anymore. I used to be a huge partier, socially. Just when with friends who drank too. I had two glasses of wine the other night at a wedding. They were several hours apart, and I drank them very slow. Had no problem. I just wonder if it's cos you are on a higher dose of the Wellbutrin than I am?
thanks, and good luck to you all! Nice to chat with others with depression too! I don't feel so alone! I NEVER ever thought I would be on an antidepressant, but it happens.
Terry
If you want to meet your local police cause you elect to drink too much while on Wellbutrin, just do both. I blacked out and was spotted by a local hotel for running around half crazy claiming I was robbed. I never blackout... and while meeting with my local police, my blackout ended and avoided jail. I later did some research on the combo and feel lucky I was not tazed and restrainted all night like an unfortunate lady somewhere on the web who suffered greatly from the same combo. Same deal for her - she left her house and went for a run blacked out. Nuts!!! Cost her about $10k.
Before you judge, I was FBI phase candidate 2 and am squeaky clean and that almost ended with Wellbutrin and alcohol.
Omg, I really appreciate your honesty and sincerity. I'm not sure if you were trying to be humorous or not but you really made me laugh hard& I needed that& I thank you. I surely don't want to meet my local police unless in a positive situation. I'm totally rethinking drinking while beginning this medication. That's all I need to be the "even crazier" lady in my small town lol. I wish you the best& thanks again.
Thank you everyone. All feedback is welcome even if its not intended for my question. Not that I have to explain nor do I feel judged which is nice but yes I agree I have probably been self medicating for years. I am hopeful that the Wellbutrin will do its magic and help me curve my appetite for wine as well as smoking. While i'm certainly not in denial that 3-4 glasses is on the heavy side it's over a period of hours. Cooking dinner, doing homework, laundry, cleaning, etc. by the time my kids are in bed it is 9pm and that's the first time I sit down from my day. Like all parents I'm sure! We all have different forms of anxiety and depression and mine is that I can't make more hours in a day and I can't stop to rest because failure is not an option. I truly appreciate all of your answers. Good luck to all.
Great insight lgold,
Please keep in touch as your journey progresses. You'll find a lot of support here along the way and we'd like to hear how it's going for you.
Wishing you the best,
Frenchie
Thank you Frenchie! Very nice to know there is support and we can all reach out to each other. :)
Sounds like you need to forgive yourself for not being perfect and allowing failure once in a while. I'm talking from experience when I say don't drink it, Early on, like 40 yrs ago when I first started anti depressants, I had a glass of wine, the headache was so incredible I haven't had another. If you need wine to get thru the evening, you were self medicating. Hopefully the wellbutrin will help that. When I sit to relax I have a cup of hot chocolate. Far less headaches that way.
Hello All,
Thank you all for the honesty.I have been on Wellbutrin XL for three weeks now. I tried Celexa and had terrible side effects. I like this medication because it curves your appetite. I smoke at night after my dinner and I think I will be able to give them up completely soon. I was concerned to hear all the stories about alcohol, the seizures and change of personality are very scary. I also love to have a few glasses of wine. I find when I have a glass of wine I do not sleep well..in fact I am wide awake most the night.
I had a few too many last night and feeling very sick today..I usually can have three glasses and I am fine the next day. I was up most the night drinking water. I have noticed you need to drink lots of water and I sweat a little on the drug.I have calmed down more and have lots energy, overall I find it has helped in many ways. I am going to be very careful when drinking and limit it to one or two. It was really good to be able to read all the reviews..
Thank you all :)
Your desire to "make more hours in a day'' is a clear signal that you are expecting too much of yourself. Incidentally, this kind of thinking can lead only to failure--you said it yourself: "I cannot make more hours in a day." My experience with this is such that I need to make a conscious and frequent effort to purposely do less than I want. The guilt from this thinking/attitude--the feeling that I am a slacker--goes away when I remind myself that doing too much robs me of balance in my life and that makes me less effective in helping others, I end up cheating myself and them. I need to always save energy and time in reserve, a sort of "bank account". I will have something to draw on when the stuff hits the fan, time and energy for unseen events that inevitably happen from time to time. At first it helped me to work on actually BEING a bit of a slacker purposely until I got to the point where I knew I was slacking too much.
Being a slacker becomes a fine art as we learn to walk the line between saving a little and giving a lot. Part of driving myself so hard came from the guilt I had over past behaviors that truly hurt others and myself. I was under the silly impression that I had to pay back, make up for it or somehow sacrifice and suffer as a form of penance. I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off 24/7. I needed to learn to slack up and be okay with it. This made me more effective at reaching goals in the long run. I am working on being a super man instead of Superman...
I am so glad to read this because its almost exactly what I feel. I was prescribed wellbutrin about a year ago but refused it because I'm scared of seizures as I do drink a few times a week also. However,my depression and anxiety are at an all time high and I think its time. I can def stop drinking at home but not sure how to avoid social drinking as it's my norm to meet friends for happy hour on the weekends... also lots of bbqs and wine tasting days... most of my social circle does these things and I really enjoy them. I don't want to have to be a social hermit because I can't participate anymore :( Not sure if maybe I need something other than wellbutrin? I used to take celexa and drink and was fine...
We would love to hear an update on you quitting smoking and how was your treatment with Wellbutrin? Thx
I too am a wine drinker. Normally a bottle almost every night. Since I started Wellbutrin I have been able to cut back to half a bottle 4-5 nights a week. I have no idea if I will be able to quit completely, but my next step is cutting back to 2 glasses 3 times a week. ‘
I’m very disappointed that the Wellbutrin seems to be worsening my depression and it’s been 3 weeks on it. Also in spite of all the reports of appetite decrease mine is raging. I’m wondering if I should give this drug another week, then try something else. I’m so sick of this trial and error of weaning off one, then trying another.
Hi lgold,
Having taken Wellbutrin for years, I view this matter a bit differently. There is no argument whatsoever that Wellbutrin lowers the seizure threshold. There is no argument that alcohol lowers the seizure threshold. Voila.
Beyond that, everyone reacts differently to drugs, but I assure you there is good reason the mandatory warning says "No Alcohol" instead of "limit alcohol" or "a few glasses of wine are ok." You're playing with fire here.
I'm likewise concerned that you're minimizing your alcohol consumption and fiercely protective of it! eg 'I don't plan to stop." You refer to having "3-4 glasses" per day and later "a glass or two" of wine. This is concerning in itself to me as a retired substance abuse counselor.
Please know I'm not judging you, nor am I calling you a problem drinker BUT you may have been self-medicating for years, just trying to keep your anxiety/depression under control.
For a lot of really good reasons, try to give up the wine or do limit it to one glass. Wellbutrin is one of those drugs that must build up in your system. Give it the time and opportunity to do its work!!
I hope it does work for you and you're soon feeling much better without depending so much on the wine. Please keep us informed. I'd be happy to to reply by PM as well.
Regards,
4N Substances aka Frenchie
Thank you for this very thoughtful and informative response.
I think it's important to recognize that there is no one guaranteed reaction, and everyone truly does have a difference response to drugs (as we often see here) and therefore a different response to drug combinations.
In the event I attempt a glass of wine in the future, or any alcohol, I am going to wait until I feel stable in my treatment (I am under 3 weeks in on Wellbutrin) and go very slowly with it. It feels so limiting to be told "absolutely no alcohol", and though I do not care to drink too often, I'd like to know a small to reasonable amount now and then is OK for some people on this medication.
I just realized this was not originally my own question about bupropion and alcohol, but someone else's..my mistake, but nonetheless- great feedback and it helped me too!
I wondered what was going on Siren! But in any case, glad you found it helpful. I know you've been gathering info on Buproprion and if I can help further, please don't hesitate to ask or PM me. Forgive us lgold!
Frenchie
It's been a couple years since you made a comment, but I've been taking Wellbutrin for years. Then I quit taking it for a month. After that I stopped drinking alcohol, two days after I refilled it, I started drinking again, hard. I think that's why the warnings say don't take Wellbutrin if you recently stopped drinking alcohol.
My pharmacist explained it to me like this; I just recently started taking wellbutrin; the medication doesn't cause seizures. Any person, regardless of taking or not taking medication can have a seizure. What this medication does is slightly lowers your body's threshold against fighting seizures. As for drinking, I'm a bit nervous to and am going to wait a bit longer for my body to get use to this new medication.
Frenchie,
What do you know about withdrawal symptoms while trying to stop these meds... if drinking is a crutch you cannot seem to toss but you cannot stop these medications either.. you are very sick. Help!
Three to four glasses of wine is a whole bottle. That is excessive. That sounds like alcoholism to me. I drank one two two glasses per day on Wellbutrin. It seemed to be okay. I would never go beyond that though. As the other user mentioned, you would be playing with fire.
However, I have lost my desire to drink any glasses of wine at all now that I switched to Topiramate. And I'm only taking 15 milligrams at night. It's amazing. I've lost weight and I've lost my desire to drink alcohol.
While it is true that alcohol increases the likelihood of seizure especially if stopped suddenly, Wellbutrin (bupropion) at a low dose is unlikely to cause a seizure. I don't recommend drinking while taking an antidepressant as alcohol is a depressant itself. None the less, I drink and I take Wellbutrin without any ill effect. Give the medication a chance to work, upwards of a month, and you may find that drinking becomes less of a need.
Thank you Laurie! Well out, and thank you for understanding my question- though I have no intention of regular drinking or getting drunk, it would be nice to know it's possible to have the occasional glass or two of alcohol, and not be totally destroyed. If it turns out I can't tolerate alcohol anymore, I will certainly live- I'd much rather have my mental health back! At 3 weeks in, I am starting to feel like "me" again, rather than the scared, panic stricken hermit I've become this year. I feel very thankful, and the last thing I am craving currently is any form of intoxication (OK, I do miss coffee!)
Couldn't get buy without a couple cups a day!!
Lamotrigene (Lamictal) is an agent that more markedly lowers seizure threshold.
Wow... when I read the comment Sirensiren made "scared panickstricken hermit" I can soooo relate... I too have just began taking 150 mg Well Butrin 2 days ago~ I want my old happy self back as well~ I have high hopes that this aid will help me get that back~ although I do realize I need to do my part also... a positive determined state if mind~ I am welcoming a cool change in my life ~ wish me luck... P.S. it so helps to see others talk about their experiences and thoughts on this~Peace to you all~
Give it time to work, upwards of a month, and be patient. You are on the lower dose so don't be surprised if the doc increases to 300mgs daily though may not need to. Good luck!!
:) is there any other common side affects of Well Butrin? I've read the material enclose but I was wondering if some affects were most often experienced?
I had mild jitterines, headache and maybe some increased anxiety in the beginning, but should subside very quickly.
I have been taking Klonopin (a benzo) for 20 years now and I drink at least a six pack a night. Drinking on Wellbutrin is far less dangerous to drink on than any Benzo. If your body is used to drinking, then drink. I believe the chance of having a seizure is 1,000,000 to 1 but they have to put that info on the bottle.
I am not a smoker. I am taking bupropion for weight loss because it curbs your appetite. I also am not a drinker but I would like to have a glass of wine or 2 with my husband at home to celebrate his birthday so how long will I have seen off wellbutrin so I won't have any side effects then I will resume taking the drug after that.
How much alcohol is safe with Wellbutrin. I had a whole bottle last night with no different side effects, but feel I should cut back. Quitting isn’t an option for me, but I would like to cut back.
Interactions between your selected drugs:
bupropion ↔ ethanol
Applies to: Wellbutrin (bupropion), Alcohol (contained in alcoholic beverages) (ethanol)
Using buPROPion with alcohol may increase the risk of uncommon side effects such as seizures, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, mood and behavioral changes, depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and panic attacks. On the other hand, sudden withdrawal from alcohol following regular or chronic use can also increase your risk of seizures during treatment with buPROPion. If you are prone to frequent or excessive alcohol use, talk to your doctor before starting buPROPion. In general, you should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with buPROPion. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs.
Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Notice that besides seizures, this combination can cause anxiety and depression.
I have limited experience with Wellbutrin - tried it and didn't work too well for me. But I do have a LOT of experience with alcohol. I spent a lot of time self-medicating with alcohol with and without my psych meds. And it really screwed me up! I gave up drinking almost 3yrs ago and it's cleared my head to face the real issues in my life.
You don't need it and all it does is harm you, especially if you're already sensitive to medications.
Wean yourself off slowly or at least cut back dramatically. As for your off-balance feeling, it probably is a side effect, common with any of these medications, that will subside after a week or so as your body adjusts.
I just started this drug TODAY! and the pharmacist made it clear, drinking=no bueno. And that it takes several weeks to actually work in full effect. So time and patience is necessary. Thank you for the post with all that great information, I had simply wondered, "will I die if I have a beer on this?!"
Again - you will not die if you have a beer when taking any antidepressant. Just don't drive, just limit to one beer, and for the first time you drink on any particular med do it slowly at home. It frustrates me when people have an all or nothing attitude and apply it to everybody... nobody is the same, and some can drink a drink or two with meds, and some are better off not doing so. Of course the pharmacy will say exactly what is on the package insert - and those warnings are there to let people know that sometimes there may be an issue -- and to cover liability concerns. Just my 2 cents.
Alcohol is totally unecessary and if you want your depression taken care of and what it does to help with quitting smoking, you'll avoid it. Anti depressants and alcohol are a very bad idea.
Let us remember the drug alcohol is a depressant and therefore typically contraindicated for depressed individuals.
@Jim Pearce
That does not make sense. Antidepressants boost mood and wellbutrin effects dopamine and norepinephrine. Alcohol doesn't really suppress mood; it just acts on the CNS by slowing down processing of information. I'm not saying that it is good or bad to drink when depressed but it isn't a depressant in a way that it actually reverses the effects of the antidepressants.
Bud,
It's a clinical guideline in the sense that we would recommend that the manic or hypomanic avoid stimulants--such as bupropion... and the rest.
Jim
Bupropion is a stimulant.
Yes kaismama, how right you are! I myself have embarked on sobriety for the 3 Rd time in my life, no alcohol since last year and have been in the er 4 x due to extreme anxiety, paranoia and panic disorder turning quickly to hyperventilation where my throat was opening and closing BP shot thru the roof! Stay away from alcohol while on these meds! Very dangerous!
To tell you the truth, believe it or not alcohol is a stimulant and almost always increases the mood your already in! If pissed now your twice that and so on, however when you get past that certain number of drinks any type, depending on your tolerance now you've reached a level of lethargy, slurred speech, clumsiness and extremely bad judgement! From my own personal experience, recovering alcoholic I've stopped drinking it all together and realize it was masking my anxiety, panic and paranoid disorder all this time, off and on! I was literally using it as my anti depressant/escape!
To tell you the truth, believe it or not alcohol is a stimulant and almost always increases the mood your already in! If pissed now your twice that and so on, however when you get past that certain number of drinks any type, depending on your tolerance now you've reached a level of lethargy, slurred speech, clumsiness and extremely bad judgement! From my own personal experience, recovering alcoholic I've stopped drinking it all together and realize it was masking my anxiety, panic and paranoid disorder all this time, off and on! I was literally using it as my anti depressant/escape!
Oops, sorry for double post!
If someone is a "heavy drinker" and abruptly stops drinking it increases their risk of having a seizure. The danger usually occurs when you stop suddenly, not while you're using it. It's the same with benzodiazepines and certain other drugs like Barbiturates. Bupropion will lower your seizure threshold, so this, combined with the withdrawal process, could increase the chances of you having a seizure. I'm not aware if bupropion acts as a CNS depressant but I would assume that it doesn't. Typically I feel like my heart is jumping out of my chest after I take my dose, and that's not something common to CNS depressants. That being said, mixing alcohol and any Rx's together can be risky and it's best to ask your family doctor or pharmacist. Best of luck!
I have 1/2 bottle of wine per night, and sometimes a nightcap. I've had no issues. Start slow, stay home at first, and see how your body responds. I'm glad I didn't have to give up my wine, it makes dinner even more enjoyable. Good luck.
Jim Pearce,
Buproprion IS NOT a stimulant. If it were, i'd have to see my psychiatrist every three months for it and get a written prescription, or a finger print prescription from her every month like I do with my other medication. It has minor stimulant side effects; barely though.
Kaismama,
I drink almost every night on this medication, and on other medications... I feel I have panic attacks because of the drinking-either the same night when I wake up in the middle of the night, or the next day. It also makes me wake up around 3AM every morning and can't fall asleep until 6 or 7 AM. Also, with a terrible migraine. So whatever anyone chooses to do while on this medication, understand you will have a side effect from doing it on this medication. Sometimes the benefits outweigh the side effects though. AND, if you don't have a family history of seizures, you are barely at risk in any way to have them yourself even after heavy drinking.
I am not a smoker and I take 300 mg of welbutrin. I just want to have a couple glasses of wine at home with husband to celebrate his birthday, nothing more. I don't want to drink it everyday. So how long can I stop taking the drug in order to have just 2 glades of wine so that I won't have any side effects the I will resume taking the drug again about 2 days later to make sure all of the alcohol is out of my system. Somebody help me with this please.
Bupropion is not a stimulant or a depressant. It is a mood enhancer. And i took it at night to
help me sleep. It works differently on everyone. As for the alcohol question, alcohol is metabolized by your liver as is Bupropion. Bupropion is broken down by CYP2B6 into
Hydroxybupropion the metabolite can actually increase other drugs in your system and if you remember alcohol is a drug then Wellbutrin can increase the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream at one time. You might need to less to get the same effect. It is ONLY used for smoking cessation outside the US.
If you're going to drink you'll rationalize it just like some of these people are doing! Use your brain... before you render it incapable of sound judgement.
"Drinking alcohol with bupropion may increase your risk of seizures. If you drink alcohol regularly, talk with your doctor before changing the amount you drink. Bupropion can also cause seizures in people who drink a lot of alcohol and then suddenly quit drinking when they start using the medication.
Bupropion may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert."
"Using buPROPion with alcohol may increase the risk of uncommon side effects such as seizures, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, mood and behavioral changes, depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and panic attacks. On the other hand, sudden withdrawal from alcohol following regular or chronic use can also increase your risk of seizures during treatment with buPROPion. If you are prone to frequent or excessive alcohol use, talk to your doctor before starting buPROPion. In general, you should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with buPROPion. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. "
Perhaps if you feel the need for alcohol so badly... you probably need this medication instead!
Wise up!
While I agree with you in general everyone needs to remember that there are exceptions to every rule and that each case must be looked at separately and evaluated based on its own specifics.
You stated that alcohol is not necessary and should be avoided and that is correct probably 95% of the time, but as I said there are exceptions to every rule. I think it is important for everyone to know that for a few people, suddenly quitting all alcohol consumption is not only undesirable, it is also unsafe. My husband is a recovering alcoholic who, at the height of his drinking, drank at least a fifth of whiskey every day, and sometimes up to a half gallon in a day. Thank God he is down to just a little over a fifth a WEEK now (as opposed to per day), but he was still drinking rather heavily when he was first treated for depression.
My husband was honest with his doctor about his drinking (just as all of us should *always* be honest with our doctors about *everything*) so his doctor was well aware of my husband's alcohol consumption from the beginning. His doctor explained to us that it would be very dangerous for my husband to attempt to quit drinking cold turkey, that he could go into seizures and actually die. (This is not uncommon with heavy and/or longtime drinkers.) Instead the doctor suggested that my husband start to wean himself off of alcohol slowly and he prescribed something to help him with the withdrawal. The doctor still treated my husband for depression, he just monitored him more closely than normal because of his drinking.
I'm not saying this applies to everyone so please don't take this as an "OK" to keep drinking if you've been prescribed bupropion! I'm just saying that each case is different and you should discuss your particular situation with your doctor.
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wellbutrin, depression, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, bupropion, doctor
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