I just started on wellbutrin yesterday. I
noticed many warnings about alcohol
consumption. Has anyone drank on this med?
What is the biggest problem with drinking
and wellbutrin? I start out 150mg for a
week, then 150mg twice a day. I really
want this medication to work for me. But
I do enjoy social drinking. I'm willing to
stop social drinking, if the meds will
make the panic , mild-depression, and
racing thoughts go away. I have never
been on medication before. I feel like a
nut job. Just any good advice would be
great.
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eeyore46
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 307
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Posted: 04-22-08 22:06pm
I am not saying this is a good thing, but
my brother has been on Wellbutrin for
years for depression and has several
drinks each night. He is a very successul
business man and has a lot of stress in
his job, (who doesn't) and alcohol seems
to relax him each night. He was having
severe depression and had an anxiety
attack approximately 8 years ago. The
Wellbutrin and Buspar for anxiety work
great for him. My doctor recently
prescribed Effexor for me and told me that
a glass of wine or two each night is
acceptable. In fact, he recommended it,
if alcoholism did not run in my family.
The Effexor did not work for me, but I
understand it is a great
antidepressant/anxiety medication for
many. Good luck - I hope this works for
you.
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Georgia59
Moderator
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 5136 Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
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Posted: 04-23-08 17:45pm
As far as light, social drinking, that's
probably something to ask your doctor how
much is considered ok. However, I would
NEVER recommend drinking as a substitute
for proper treatment of a mental illness,
because anxiety/depression/bipolar are
huge precursors to addiction.
You are sooo correct - alcohol only helps
temporarily! Why can the
antidepressants/anxiety medications not do
what the alcohol does (as far as calming
the nerves due to stress and anxiety)? I
think a lot of people that become
dependent on alcohol have not had success
with prescription meds, so they turn to
alcohol.
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Georgia59
Moderator
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 5136 Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
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Posted: 04-24-08 14:59pm
I agree that it's so hit and miss with
prescriptions. I'm just really wary of
people self-medicating with alcohol or
drugs, having seen so many people in my
own life do it and end up addicted.
Yikes!!
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eeyore46
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 307
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Posted: 04-25-08 23:55pm
How true - a lot of people do not even
seek medical advice for these symptoms and
just turn to drugs or alcohol. However, a
lot do and still do not get relief.
Anxiety/Depression is different for
everyone and so are the effects of
medication prescribed. Hopefully, if one
keeps trying they will find one that works
for them - so far, I have not. Still
trying - even desperate enough after 7
different doctors, to try acupuncture.
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Georgia59
Moderator
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 5136 Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
Thanks: 52
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Posted: 04-26-08 15:03pm
Interesting, let us know how that works
for ya.
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BullZye
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 112
Posted: 04-28-08 20:44pm
I don't know about Wellbutrin but you seem
to get more drunk on antidepressants I
think.
The first time I drank on Prozac I didn't
think it would affect my alcohol tolerance
but I ended up getting way too drunk and
blacking out. It was a huge creeper, I was
drinking and having fun then next second I
know i'm awake in my room after a night of
drinking and having no idea how I got
home.
I can hold my alcohol fine especially if I
drink just beers but this other night I
went to a party and ended up getting
really drunk after just beer which was
weird. I usually only get really drunk if
I drink hard liquor.
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eeyore46
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 307
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Posted: 04-29-08 00:33am
That is true! The label on the medication
prescription bottle does say that alcohol
may intensify the effect.
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