Molly asked
I took bupropion at 75 mg twice a day for a month then was increased to 150 twice a day for about 3 weeks. I am now quitting, down to 1 per day for 3 days to 1 every other day for 3 days. When can I drink alcohol again after quitting?
At a glance
- Consuming alcohol with Wellbutrin should be done cautiously, if at all.
- The combination increases the risk of seizures and decreases tolerance to the effects of alcohol.
Answer
Wellbutrin (bupropion) has a potentially major interaction with alcohol. In fact, both over-consumption or abrupt discontinuation of alcohol while on Wellbutrin can result in serious adverse effects.
Alcohol Consumption With Wellbutrin
In regard to the over-consumption of alcohol with Wellbutrin, doing so increases the risk of neuropsychiatric adverse effects and can decrease your tolerance to the effects of alcohol. Such effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Hallucinations/delusions
- Paranoia
- Altered mood and behavioral changes
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
Per the prescribing information for Wellbutrin:
"In postmarketing experience, there have been rare reports of adverse or reduced alcohol tolerance in patients who were drinking alcohol during treatment with WELLBUTRIN. The consumption of alcohol during treatment with WELLBUTRIN should be minimized or avoided."
Abrupt Discontinuation Of Alcohol
While drinking alcohol with Wellbutrin increases the risk of side effects, if you are a chronic drinker, abrupt discontinuation can increase your risk of seizures on Wellbutrin.
Wellbutrin alone increases the risk of seizure, especially at high doses. Similarly, chronic drinkers who abruptly stop are also at an increased risk of seizure. The combination of Wellbutrin and abrupt alcohol discontinuation increases the risk further.
Again, per the prescribing information for Wellbutrin:
