Wellbutrin XL and Alcohol?

Question

I want to know how dangerous it is to drink while on 150 mg of Wellbutrin XL. Will it really cause seizures? My doctor didn't even tell me about this....she gave me a month's worth of the samples and those bottles didnt mention anything, but I got a new bottle from the pharmacy today and it said not to drink at all. This is very strange because my doctor knows i like to drink..

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

I'm looking into this myself having just been prescribed 150mg Bupropion, (the generic name for Wellbutrin XL) and being a person who has a glass or two of wine most days. My understanding is that it is greatly dependent on your current (pre medication) level of alcohol consumption. Alcohol can lower the seizure threshold for people who do not drink regularly, but for people that do drink regularly - any sudden change in that pattern will similarly lower the threshold and increase your chance of a seizure.
Bottom line (or so it seems to me):
**If you don't generally drink, don't drink on Bupropion (AKA Wellbutrin)
**If you generally DO drink, maybe just ease up a bit while on Bupropion - but stopping completely can be dangerous as well.

Source(s):

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-in…
and the pharmacy insert w/ prescription.

Answer 2

Screamingtokyo,

The Website SafeMedication.com, http://www.safemedication.com/displaydrug.cfm?id=695033, has this to say about Wellbutrin XL and alcohol. "Talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking bupropion. Alcohol can make the side effects from bupropion worse. "