Drinking on Wellbutrin OK?!
Question: My doctor said the alcohol warnings on Wellbutrin are overstated, and alcohol in moderation is OK-- last night I went slightly over moderation (if you consider 1-2 moderation) and felt fine, maybe got a bit more buzzed quicker than usual but nothing crazy. Have you had similar experiences?
Answers: My doctor said the alcohol warnings on Wellbutrin are overstated, and alcohol in moderation is OK-- last night I went slightly over moderation (if you consider 1-2 moderation) and felt fine, maybe got a bit more buzzed quicker than usual but nothing crazy. Have you had similar experiences?
Drinking on depression is not OK. As the previous answerer noted, alcohol is a depressent. Being depressed and taking a depressant is not OK.
Moderation, clinically speaking, is a couple of drinks every now and then. Weekend drinking is not moderation. Psychologically, weekend drinking promotes the "living for the weekend" mindset which concludes that everything in between will just suck.
So, how fine are you really feeling if you are asking this question? Self-doubt is a sign of depression.
Find enjoyable things to do that will make you feel good about it and good about yourself a week after.
Here's the thing: alcohol is a DEPRESSANT. Are you taking the Wellbutrin for depression? Why bother if you're going to drink, too? If you really want to get over your depression, stop all the behaviors that are contributing to it. If you're taking the Wellbutrin for something else, then nevermind.
The first answerer is correct, it will increase the depression when you drink. The big risk in drinking on Wellbutrin is that Wellbutrin lowers your seizure threshold, and the alcohol exacerbates that, so even if you've never had a seizure, you could. That being said, I take Wellbutrin. Occasionally I drink a bit; less often than that, I drink more than a bit. I have not yet run into any problems other than being more depressed for about a week after the less moderate drinking. Just know, it may not always cause problems, but the potential is there, so be careful.
I'll probably get thumbed down, but here goes. What you should consider in my view:
- Has Wellbutrin gotten you to totally depression free?
- Is your goal to get off Wellbutrin (and all antidepressants)?
- Are you talking having a drink or two no more than once or twice a month?
If you are depression free, then a drink now and then isn't a big deal. If your goal is to get off Wellbutrin, then you need to keep your drinking way, way down because even though WB is keeping your mood in a good place, when you off, the alcohol is a depressant and even though it *may* not be having this effect right now, it will drag you down then. So, you be the judge.