Can You Take Wellbutrin and Alcohol? Drug Interactions and Safety Precautions

What you will learn

• Wellbutrin is an antidepressant that’s used to treat the symptoms of major depressive disorder and other types of depression.
• Wellbutrin isn’t safe to mix with alcohol and may have serious risks, including seizures.
• It’s common for people with depression to self-medicate their symptoms using alcohol, leading to an increased risk of dependence and addiction.
• Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening, so it’s important not to quit alcohol suddenly to take Wellbutrin.
• If you struggle with alcohol abuse or addiction, seek help before starting Wellbutrin treatment.

Wellbutrin, the brand name for bupropion hydrochloride, is an antidepressant used to treat symptoms of major depressive disorder and other types of depression, as well as a smoking cessation aid. Like other antidepressants, Wellbutrin is not safe to mix with alcohol, especially in large quantities.

Learn more about Wellbutrin and alcohol interactions, the risks, and what safety precautions to take with this medication.

What Is Wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride) is a prescription medication used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and as a smoking cessation aid. It’s classified as an atypical antidepressant and works by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain – the chemicals that help regulate mood, energy, and focus.

Unlike selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which boost serotonin levels, Wellbutrin targets a different pathway. This action makes it effective for people who haven’t responded to other types of antidepressants, but also means it has unique side effects and various interactions, such as with alcohol.[1]

Is It Safe to Mix Wellbutrin and Alcohol?

It’s not safe to mix Wellbutrin and alcohol. On its own, alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant and impacts the brain’s communication pathway. Drinking alcohol with an antidepressant like Wellbutrin can reduce the drug’s effectiveness, inhibiting your treatment. Another effect of mixing alcohol and Wellbutrin is that the two drugs can intensify each other’s effects, leading to serious side effects.

The risks of mixing Wellbutrin and alcohol are worsened if you drink a lot of alcohol, but it’s important to note that any amount of alcohol may be unsafe. Even moderate alcohol consumption, such as a glass of wine or beer, can trigger adverse reactions when you’re taking Wellbutrin.

Wellbutrin already carries a seizure risk, especially at high doses. Adding alcohol increases that risk significantly. The FDA warns explicitly that alcohol use may lower the seizure threshold in people taking bupropion.[2]

What Happens If You Drink on Wellbutrin?

The effects of drinking on Wellbutrin can vary based on your dose, tolerance, and overall health, but the risks are serious. Potential concerns include:

Seizures

Seizures may occur when you mix alcohol and Wellbutrin because of sudden electrical charges in the brain. Drinking alcohol while taking Wellbutrin can increase your risk of seizures, but it’s more likely if you take high doses of Wellbutrin.[3]

Worsening Side Effects

Wellbutrin can have side effects like:[4]

• Tremors
• Nausea
• Agitation
• Insomnia
• Skin rash
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Weight loss
• Constipation
• Blurred vision
• Tinnitus

Alcohol can make some of these side effects worse, including nausea, blurred vision, dizziness, and headaches.

Reduced Effectiveness of Wellbutrin

Alcohol is a depressant, so drinking it with an antidepressant can prevent the medication from working properly.[5] You may experience depressive episodes or severe depressive symptoms like:

• Feelings of hopelessness
• Loss of interest in hobbies
• A sad or empty mood
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Decreased energy and fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sleep disturbances
• Thoughts of suicide

Other Side Effects

Wellbutrin can have additional side effects, including:[6]

• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors, particularly in adolescents and young adults
• Neuropsychiatric symptoms
• Hypertension or high blood pressure
• Mania or hypomania
• Psychosis
• Glaucoma
• Hypersensitivity

How Long Should I Wait After Taking Wellbutrin Before Drinking Alcohol?

It takes approximately 21 hours for your body to eliminate half of a dose of Wellbutrin, which means the drug remains in the body for about 105 hours, or around four days. However, this can vary according to your age, body mass, any medical conditions, how long you’ve been taking the drug, and other factors. It’s important to talk to your doctor about when it’s safe to drink alcohol after stopping Wellbutrin.

Alcohol Use Disorders and Depression

Alcohol addiction is known as an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This is when you can’t stop consuming alcohol despite negative effects on your health, work, personal relationships, or other aspects of your life.[6]

AUD can develop because alcohol use creates euphoria, or a high feeling that helps people relax, relieves anxiety, or improves mood. These results are temporary, however, often causing more severe anxiety and depression once the alcohol wears off. This leads to a cycle of drinking alcohol to self-medicate depression and feel better, developing a dependence.

If you have been prescribed Wellbutrin to treat depression but feel that you can’t stop drinking alcohol, it’s important to discuss your concerns with your doctor. Mixing Wellbutrin and alcohol can be dangerous, but stopping alcohol use abruptly while having AUD can be life-threatening.

Alcohol Withdrawal and Wellbutrin

Drinking alcohol regularly builds tolerance, meaning your body gets used to it and requires more to get euphoria. Over time, your body becomes dependent on alcohol. If you stop drinking alcohol suddenly, you can experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms like seizures, delirium tremens (DTs), coma, and possible death.

Stopping alcohol and experiencing alcohol withdrawal while taking Wellbutrin can increase these risks, including:[7]

• Seizures
• Depression
• Tremors
• Confusion
• Loss of coordination
• Dizziness

It’s crucial to be transparent with your doctor about your alcohol use habits, including the amount of alcohol you consume, the type, and any symptoms you experience. It is recommended to seek help for alcohol use disorder (AUD) before starting Wellbutrin treatment.

Why People Mix Wellbutrin and Alcohol

It’s common for people with depression to self-medicate with alcohol to get relief from sadness, insomnia, or anxiety. Unfortunately, alcohol can make these symptoms worse over time and create a cycle of dependence. If you’re drinking while taking Wellbutrin, it can signal an underlying alcohol use disorder (alcohol addiction) that may require treatment.

Alcohol and Wellbutrin may be combined by accident as well. If you’re prescribed Wellbutrin and don’t check the interactions, you may have a drink with dinner and inadvertently mix the two substances.

What to Do If You’ve Already Had a Drink

If you’re already taking Wellbutrin and had a drink, don’t panic. Though there are serious risks to combining Wellbutrin and alcohol, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will experience severe effects.

Monitor your symptoms closely for 24 hours. If you experience suicidal ideation, tremors, seizures, or other troubling symptoms, seek medical attention.

How to Seek Help for Substance Misuse

Substance misuse is when you use prescription or over-the-counter drugs in ways other than intended, usually to get high. For example, misusing a substance could be taking more of the drug than prescribed, taking it more frequently, or taking it to get different effects than intended, such as getting high.

No matter the drug, substance misuse can be dangerous and indicates problem use of a drug. Many substances, including generally safe prescription medications, can have serious side effects. Some have the potential for addiction as well, which is an increased risk with misuse.

Withdrawal can be uncomfortable or even life-threatening with certain substances, including alcohol. Often, the first step in getting help is entering a medical detox program. This offers a controlled setting with medical supervision to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, prevent complications, and keep you as safe and comfortable as possible during the withdrawal period.

After detox is complete, you can start an addiction treatment program on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Though the specific programs vary according to your individualized care plan, they often include individual and group counseling, behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, and other modalities to address the emotional, social, and psychological aspects of addiction.

Get Help for Substance Misuse and Addiction

Taking Wellbutrin with alcohol can be dangerous, but stopping alcohol use suddenly if you struggle with alcohol addiction isn’t recommended. Be sure to discuss your alcohol use with your doctor before starting Wellbutrin treatment and seek help for alcohol use disorder.

Amanda is a prolific medical content writer specializing in eating disorders and addiction treatment. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Purdue University with a B.S. in Social Work. Read more