Can I take Wellbutrin and Buspirone together? (Your guide)

In this brief guide, we will discuss if you can take Wellbutrin and Buspirone together, Wellbutrin side effects, Buspirone Side effects, Buspirone reviews, and interactions between Wellbutrin and Buspirone and other medications like Melatonin and Clonazepam.

Can I take Wellbutrin and Buspirone together?

Yes, you can take Wellbutrin and Buspirone together, as no adverse reactions have been seen between these two medications, however, it has not been proven beyond doubt that no bad reactions exist between the two.

Wellbutrin is the brand name for Bupropion, which is a commonly prescribed antidepressant as well as medication to help in quitting smoking.

Buspirone is an anti-anxiolytic, that is, it is used to treat symptoms of anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms like fear, tension, irritability, dizziness, pounding heartbeat, and other physical symptoms that are commonly associated with anxiety.

Why might one take Wellbutrin and Buspirone together?

Some people are recommended Wellbutrin and Buspirone together as it has been seen that Buspirone helps with some depression symptoms that may have been caused by anxiety.

In such cases, or in the case of a Mixed Anxiety and Depression Disorder, one may be prescribed both Wellbutrin and Buspirone, though it is rare to be prescribed both for a predominantly Depressive or Anxiety-related disorder.

In the case of some people, it has also been noticed that a prescription of 300 mg Wellbutrin and Buspirone at the same time may cause side effects such as Hallucinations, visual illusions, dizziness, and confusion, however, there have been no evidence-based trials for this particular interaction.

At the same time it also seems that most people who take 150 mg Wellbutrin and Buspirone together, where Buspirone is also of a lower dosage, seems to alleviate symptoms they are experiencing without causing too many unnecessary side effects.

Wellbutrin Side effects

Wellbutrin is usually taken for depression and like other drugs, it may have some side effects, which have generally been seen to be mild.

The possible Wellbutrin side effects are listed below:

·   Nausea and/or vomiting

·   Dry mouth

·   Headache

·   Stomach problems (constipation, diarrhea)

·   Increased sweating,

·   Joint pain

·   Sore throat

·   Blurred vision

·   Strange taste in the mouth

·   Dizziness

Wellbutrin may also at times have an effect on blood pressure, but it is likely that your doctor will take your blood pressure and see if you are at risk before prescribing the medicine.

Some serious but mostly rare Wellbutrin side effects include:

·   Chest pain

·   Fainting

·   Rapid or pounding heartbeat

·   Hearing problems or ringing in the ears

·   Severe headache

·   mental/mood changes (e.g., agitation, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, memory loss), Uncontrolled movements or tremors

·   Unusual weight loss or gain.

Inform your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms as they may be life-threatening or serious. You should also seek medical help immediately if you have an allergic reaction to this medicine like a rash, hoarseness in the throat, or swelling.

Buspirone Side Effects and how to take it

Buspirone is usually prescribed for anxiety or anxiety-related symptoms.

Buspirone needs to be taken 2-3 times a day as prescribed, and usually, it needs to be taken after food.

Some possible Buspirone Side effects are given below:

·   Dizziness or lightheadedness

·   Drowsiness

·   Headache

·   Nausea or vomiting

·   Nervousness or restlessness

·   Blurred vision

·   Tiredness

·   Trouble sleeping or inadequate sleep

If any of these side effects persist one needs to talk to a doctor or pharmacist right away.

Some other symptoms include

·   Shakiness or tremors

·   Muscle stiffness

·   Mask-like facial expression

·   Jerky walking movements

·   Tardive dyskinesia

If these problems happen, please reach out to the relevant medical service and seek immediate attention. Also talk to your doctor if you have an allergic reaction to this medication.

Buspirone and Wellbutrin Weight Loss

It has been seen that Buspirone can cause weight loss if taken by nonsmokers, in particular, and when taken together, buspirone and Wellbutrin do not cause any significant changes in weight, whether it is weight loss or weight gain.

Buspirone is the only antidepressant that has been associated with significant long-term weight loss, and it only does so among nonsmokers.

According to a new retrospective cohort study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, “We found that bupropion is the only antidepressant that tends to be linked to weight loss over 2 years,” says study leader David Arterburn, MD, of the Group Health Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, he continues, “All other antidepressants are linked to varying degrees of weight gain. Our study suggests that bupropion is the best initial choice of antidepressant for the vast majority of Americans who have depression and are overweight or obese”.

This also speaks well for this drug given that most antidepressants are notorious for causing weight gain and a lot of patients do not want to take them for this reason.

“Obesity and depression…commonly occur together, and adults with both conditions may have even greater health risks. The causal pathway is probably bidirectional — obese adults are at greater risk of depression and vice versa,” the authors say. However, they also said that bupropion is not appropriate for all patients, including those with a history of seizure disorder. “In conclusion, we find that bupropion is the only antidepressant associated with long-term weight loss (although this effect is limited to nonsmokers).”

Buspirone Reviews

Here are some reviews of Buspirone for reference, if you are thinking of taking this drug or have been prescribed this drug for anxiety or anxiety-related disorders.

For Anxiety: “I have been taken buspirone for a while now for anxiety. At first, when I started I would be tired so the doctor told me to start taken at night. Now being on it awhile I take it twice a day in the morning and afternoon does not make me tired anymore. I absolutely love this medicine it works great for my anxiety. I’m on 10mg dose by the way”

For Borderline Personality Disorder: “I have taken this buspirone pill for a good while now. I experience no side effects which is so rare for me. I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) a year ago and buspirone helps so much with my anxiety when I can’t calm it myself. I highly recommend, but I recognize that it may not work for everyone.”

For Panic Disorder: “Was on Buspar for 11 weeks for anxiety and panic attacks. Nothing but shaking. Ended up fainting. Was in the ER 4 times. I’d stay away from this stuff.at least it was HORRIBLE for me.”

For Anxiety: “I had been taking Buspirone on and off for about a year at a dose of 5mg-15mg per day and felt disappointed after all I had read it could do. It did have a numbing effect on the GAD but it was definitely still there and I felt more tired than it was really worth it. However, my doctor and I pushed the dose to 40mg/day and that’s when it really started to work (like flicking a switch). The GAD is gone like it was never there (which is strange at first but also wonderful) and I am really no more tired than at 15mg (feeling better gives you a lot of energy). Buspirone isn’t the one for everyone, but it can be life-changing.”

For Anxiety: “This buspirone was prescribed during quarantine, so it took me a while to distinguish the medicine’s side effects from how I would otherwise be processing this difficult situation. Over the span of 2 months, I thought I was just increasingly, extremely fatigued from trying to stay at and work from home with a 2-year-old and 5-year-old, with no set end in sight. I went to bed early, didn’t sleep well, and couldn’t get out of bed. My sex drive disappeared. I ate too much, and the consistency of rapid 20-pound weight gain in my stomach and neck was odd – my mid-section was tight and my throat was bloated (I later figured out this was water retention). Instead of my general happy nature, I felt listless and hopeless. Then I read about other people experiencing the same side effects and felt relief that it wasn’t just how I was now. I phased myself off. My sleep and appetite immediately went back to normal, and I feel energy and optimism again.”

For Panic Disorder: “Been on this medication for almost 2 weeks for GAD and panic disorder. The first couple of days I experienced side effects like migraines and sharp stomach pains but it was tolerable. After the first week, I found it was definitely helping with my anxiety levels and reducing my panic attacks, and the side effects from earlier had disappeared. Unfortunately in week two I found myself becoming very depressed and even having violent thoughts and I believe the medication is causing it. Most likely will be switching to an SSRI from Prozac or Lexapro to see if that works better.”

For Anxiety: “I have GAD PTSD, I’ve only been taking the medication for about a week now I’ve experienced so far dizziness and extreme fatigue an hour after taking the medication in the morning then wears off after an hour or two first dose, the second dose at night not so much. I take 5mg twice a day .”

Wellbutrin and Clonazepam

The drug interactions between Wellbutrin and Clonazepam (Antiepileptic as well as for anxiety or panic disorder), suggest that it is not advisable in most cases to use both medications at the same time.

Excessive use of clonazepam, or sudden discontinuation after long-term use, may occasionally trigger seizures in patients taking Wellbutrin.

You need to talk to your doctor before using these medications together in the first place, especially if you have any questions or concerns.

It is also important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs or serious organic medicinal things.

Herbal Medicine, such as Kratom. Check the Best Kratom for Depression and Anxiety.

Also do not stop using either of these medications without first talking to your doctor.

If you are taking either of these medicines you need to also make sure that you avoid alcohol as both these drugs have been known to interact badly with alcohol.

Wellbutrin and Melatonin

Melatonin supplements, along with an antidepressant, like Wellbutrin, may cause minor side effects, according to some research.

Melatonin is a natural hormone your body secretes that helps to maintain your wake-sleep cycle which is also known as a “biological clock”.

The wake-sleep cycle is the process of sleep and wakefulness which in humans averages around 8 hours of nighttime sleep and 16 hours of daytime activity.

Melatonin is also made synthetically, and it is meant to jumpstart your normal sleep-wake cycle if you have been suffering from any sleep-related issues.

Wellbutrin is an antidepressant and as such has some sleep-related qualities anyway.

If you want to take melatonin along with Wellbutrin because you are still having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about whether this is safe for you.

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we discussed if you can take Wellbutrin and Buspirone together, Wellbutrin side effects, Buspirone Side effects, Buspirone reviews, and interactions between Wellbutrin and Buspirone and other medications like Melatonin and Clonazepam. Please reach out with questions or comments if you have any.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Can I take Wellbutrin and Buspirone Together

Citations

https://www.iodine.com/compare/buspar-vs-wellbutrin

https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/104708

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/two-types-of-drugs-you-may-want-to-avoid-for-the-sake-of-your-brain