You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. According to a 2020 study, seizures occur in up to one-third of Wellbutrin overdose exposures. This is about 10–15% of people who intentionally overdose on Wellbutrin. However, they should observe their symptoms for 24 hours and disclose any worsening symptoms to a doctor. Wellbutrin contains an active ingredient called bupropion and belongs to a drug class known as aminoketone. While experts do not fully understand why Wellbutrin treats depression, they believe it inhibits the reuptake of the chemical messengers dopamine and norepinephrine.

• People who do consume Wellbutrin and small amounts of alcohol should be fine.
• If drinking makes you more unhappy, cut back gradually until you no longer crave alcohol.
• If you are seeking help with your loved one’s addiction,contact us todayor complete our quick contact form below, to speak with an addiction treatment specialist.
• NAMI recommends that people avoid taking alcohol while taking Wellbutrin.

Alcohol withdrawal can begin within hours of ending a drinking session. That is why alcohol detox and alcohol withdrawal treatment is administered by medical professionals. Additionally, if you have a history of alcohol abuse, be sure to mention it to your prescribing physician.

Drugs That You Never Want To Mix Together: Wellbutrin and Alcohol

While NDRIs may work better for some people, they tend to come with more side effects when compared to SSRIs or tricyclics. Drinking alcohol while on Wellbutrin may increase the risk and severity of its side effects. When consumed in large quantities, it can cause depressant effects and slow down neural activity, brain functions, and various other vital functions. However, alcohol can also influence the release of dopamine and trigger stimulant effects when taken in small quantities. Such stimulant effects usually appear when the blood alcohol content is around 0.05 mg/l and can soon be replaced by the depressant effects once the BAC reaches 0.08 mg/l.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration originally approved bupropion in 1985 . There is currently no evidence that suggests that combining Wellbutrin with coffee is harmful. However, this does not always imply that bupropion and caffeine should always be mixed. Observe yourself over the next twenty-four hours for signs such as depression, disorientation, poor motor skills, and cognitive impairment.

It can counteract the effects of antidepressants or interact with them, leading to stronger side effects. Wellbutrin can be an effective way to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder . The package insert for this medication specifically says to minimize or completely avoid alcohol. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles.

Second, even if you don’t OD on Wellbutrin, you’re at a high risk of experiencing seizures when you mix Wellbutrin and alcohol. If you are currently using Wellbutrin and have had alcohol, don’t panic; you can still get help. Taking alcohol and your drug doesn’t automatically mean that you will experience the side effects, but it does increase the risk. The intensity of the impact will also vary from one person to another.

More about Wellbutrin (bupropion)

A drug’s half-life refers to the time it takes your body to eliminate half of it. Generally, a drug takes aboutfive half-livesto leave your system completely. As an antidepressant, Wellbutrin can help improve mood, but alcohol may interfere with this.

We invite you to ask questions about mixing Wellbutrin and alcohol in the comments section at the end. If you or your loved ones start experiencing muscle stiffness, hallucinations, shallow breathing, uneven heartbeat, or fainting, these are severe signs of a drug overdose. It also involves family therapy sessions to help your family members provide you with the necessary support during the recovery period. You will have individual therapy with your counselor as well to address issues that you wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing in a group setting. Those who have high alcohol tolerance, where stopping could cause serious physical problems, require inpatient treatment.

Due to the lower processing time, the alcohol in your system accumulates to a higher level than usual. Some people have an occasional drink with little to no ill effects, but it can be dangerous to take Wellbutrin and a lot of alcohol at the same time. This combination amplifies the risks of alcohol poisoning, blurred vision, memory loss, mood swings, and exhaustion.

The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol & Wellbutrin

Although the dangers of mixing percocet and alcohol is socially acceptable, it can be perilous when misused. Any person who takes prescription medicine regularly must understand how the drug interacts with alcohol. This is because both the drug and alcohol work by suppressing the nervous system, resulting in potentially deadly effects on your health. Wellbutrin is an atypical antidepressant that may be prescribed to help you with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and more. Mixing alcohol with Wellbutrin can lead to unfavorable side effects. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to keep drinking while taking Wellbutrin if you have a history of drinking excessively.

This way, they’ll be on the lookout for any signs of polysubstance abuse and can keep you accountable while taking your medication. If you have any questions about prescription drugs like Wellbutrin and what you should avoid during treatment, speak to your doctor. It’s important to be aware of all the possible reactions and side effects that could occur before you begin taking any medication. A bupropion and alcohol interaction can lead to numerous adverse side effects, which can potentially be life-threatening. In people with depression, bupropion improves mood and produces well-being by preventing the reuptake of dopamine. Wellbutrin is different from most antidepressants because it doesn’t affect serotonin.

These risks include blackouts, blurred vision, alcohol poisoning, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, memory loss, impaired judgment, paranoia, seizures, and suicidal thoughts . If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The excessive amount of alcohol in your body excites and irritates your nervous system to the point that your system cannot rapidly adjust to alcohol withdrawal. It is a potentially life-threatening medical condition if left untreated.

Lastly, alcohol can worsen overall feelings of depression, making it harder to treat. Unfortunately, if you believe that alcohol makes you feel better, this can worsen the cycle of depression, neurotransmitter problems, and alcohol dependence. After the alcohol is out of your system, dopamine levels return to what they were before, and the positive feelings disappear. The exact cause of depression is still unclear, but brain chemicals called neurotransmitters appear to play a key role. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988.

Taking certain classes of antidepressants with alcohol can cause life-threatening problems. Second, serious potential interactions can occur between antidepressants and alcohol. If you try to “make up” for the missed dose, it can increase the risk of seizure. This happens because alcohol increases how much dopamine is in the brain.

Our Boston rehab offers a variety of drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs that can help you take that first step towards sobriety. He noted that some medications may be more dangerous than others when combined with alcohol. Some people can occasionally drink with minimal effects, but if you consume a lot of alcohol and at the same time take Wellbutrin, it can be hazardous.

The goal is to help patients practice sober living in a safe and supportive environment. During the session, you will also undergo individual therapies, attend a 12-step support group and undergo psychotherapy sessions with a counselor. Wellbutrin overdose is hazardous since it affects the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and neurological systems. You could begin to experience symptoms like hallucination, coma, tremors, agitation, and deadly seizures.

They can help reduce the adverse side effects of detoxification and withdrawal. Combining Wellbutrin and alcohol increases the risk and severity of the side effects of bupropion. Despite some people drinking alcohol when using Wellbutrin without any adverse reaction, combining these two substances is dangerous. Taking Wellbutrin with alcohol increases your chances of having a seizure. The risk is even higher for people with other underlying conditions, those with eating disorders, and those who take higher doses. When the two substances interact, they affect your brain functioning, potentially causing seizures.

Alcohol is a depressant of the neurological system and has similar effects as Wellbutrin. When you mix alcohol with Wellbutrin, these substances inhibit the functioning of the central nervous system, resulting in dizziness and fatigue. However, Wellbutrin, like many other drugs, has serious side effects when used with alcohol.