Is it safe to mix Wellbutrin and alcohol?

In this article:

• Wellbutrin and alcohol
• Wellbutrin side effects with alcohol
• Risk factors
• How long should you wait to drink?
• Alternatives
• The bottom line

In this article

• Wellbutrin and alcohol
• Wellbutrin side effects with alcohol
• Risk factors
• How long should you wait to drink?
• Alternatives
• The bottom line

Wellbutrin (bupropion) is an atypical antidepressant that is FDA approved to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. It’s also used to help people quit smoking. Some other medications contain bupropion with other active ingredients, including Contrave (bupropion and naltrexone) for weight loss and Auvelity (bupropion and dextromethorphan) for depression. 

Wellbutrin is classified as a norepinephrine and dopamine-reuptake inhibitor (NDRI) that increases certain neurotransmitters to improve mood and well-being. While taking Wellbutrin, you might find yourself at a party, family event, or night out and ask yourself if you can safely drink alcohol. Although you might assume that one drink is harmless, Wellbutrin can interact with alcohol in unpredictable ways.

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Can you drink on Wellbutrin?

It’s usually not a good idea to drink alcohol while taking Wellbutrin. Mixing alcohol with this medication can make side effects worse, especially when first starting treatment. However, it’s best to avoid quitting alcohol suddenly, especially if you tend to drink a lot of alcohol often, due to the potential risk of seizures. 

Those who’ve been on Wellbutrin for a while and know how the drug affects them may be able to drink in moderation with advice from a healthcare provider. That means sticking to no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one drink per day for women. Err on the side of caution and seek advice from a medical professional to help you weigh the pros and cons of alcohol consumption while taking this prescription drug. 

During treatment with Wellbutrin, you might find that your desire to drink alcohol naturally decreases. Research shows that Wellbutrin may help reduce alcohol cravings, particularly in people taking it for smoking cessation. 

What happens if you mix Wellbutrin and alcohol?

Taking Wellbutrin with alcohol isn’t safe for most people. The combination can lead to potential seizures, stronger side effects, and mental health problems that are harder to control.

Increased risk of seizures

Mixing Wellbutrin with alcohol can greatly increase the risk of seizures. Although rare, Wellbutrin alone can cause seizures in around four out of 1,000 people taking up to 450 mg per day, with the risk increasing at larger doses. Alcohol can make this risk even worse, especially if you drink heavily or have a history of seizures. Even small amounts of alcohol may trigger seizures in some people taking Wellbutrin. People with a history of seizures should not take Wellbutrin at all.

Worsening mental health symptoms

Drinking alcohol can affect how the brain works and how people feel. Some people might turn to alcohol when they experience chronic stress or sadness. While alcohol might bring short-term relief, it can often make depression worse later on, and, in severe cases, may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts. That’s because alcohol can affect brain chemistry, potentially affecting mood and reducing the effectiveness of Wellbutrin

If you’re living with mental health conditions, like seasonal affective disorder or depression, along with alcohol addiction or substance abuse, you may want to seek help. Various treatment programs can offer support through counseling or therapy to help you manage concerns with mental health, alcohol abuse, or substance use. 

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Increased side effects

Alcohol can intensify some of the most common side effects of Wellbutrin. While taking Wellbutrin, you might experience increased dizziness, nausea, confusion, and drowsiness. Adding alcohol to the mix can worsen these side effects, potentially making it harder to function at work or school. Your judgment and coordination may also be affected, making driving or operating machinery dangerous.

Alcohol sensitivity

Some people taking Wellbutrin might feel the effects of alcohol much sooner or with less alcohol than usual. This can mean becoming intoxicated faster or having more trouble controlling how much you drink. Lower alcohol tolerance can lead to unexpected hangovers or more severe symptoms after drinking. Even casual drinkers may notice these changes.

Unpredictable reactions

Not everyone reacts to the combination in the same way. Some people may become agitated, paranoid, or even start seeing or hearing things that aren’t there (hallucinations). Others might act out of character or feel extremely nervous without warning. If you experience any unexpected thoughts or behaviors after mixing Wellbutrin and alcohol, seek medical help immediately. 

Are certain people at greater risk of side effects?

Some people may need to be extra careful about mixing Wellbutrin and alcohol. Certain health conditions and older age can increase the risk of more dangerous side effects.

People with kidney problems

When the kidneys aren’t working well, the body can have trouble clearing both the medication and alcohol, which can increase the risk of side effects. Healthcare providers often recommend a lower dose or less frequent dosing of Wellbutrin if you have reduced kidney function, since the drug and its byproducts can build up more easily. 

Older adults

Wellbutrin is similarly safe and effective in adults aged 65 and older as in younger people. However, age-related changes in liver and kidney function can make older people more sensitive to both medication and alcohol. Doctors might adjust the dose or monitor kidney health more closely in these patients. 

How long after taking Wellbutrin can you drink alcohol?

Wellbutrin stays in your system for several days after your last dose. The medication has a half-life of approximately 21 hours, meaning it takes about this long for half of the drug to leave your body. Generally, a medication is mostly cleared from your system after four to five half-lives.

To be on the safe side, you may want to wait four to five days after stopping Wellbutrin before consuming alcohol. This waiting period allows the medication to be eliminated and may help reduce the risk of harmful Wellbutrin interactions with alcohol. 

Note: Skipping a day of Wellbutrin to drink is not safe. You should not stop taking your medication without talking to your healthcare provider first. Stopping Wellbutrin cold turkey can result in withdrawal symptoms, which could worsen with alcohol consumption.

Which antidepressants are not affected by alcohol?

Most antidepressant medications can be affected by alcohol. Mixing alcohol with any antidepressant may increase side effects or change how the medicine works in your body. 

The effects of mixing alcohol with antidepressants depend on factors like the type of antidepressant, how you respond to the drug, how long you’ve been taking the medicine, and how much alcohol you drink. Some people feel more sleepy, dizzy, or confused when drinking on antidepressants. If you are new to the medication, the risk may be higher.

Use caution with alcohol if you are taking any of the following antidepressants:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), and Lexapro (escitalopram)
• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as Cymbalta (duloxetine), Effexor XR (venlafaxine), and Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as Elavil (amitriptyline), Pamelor (nortriptyline), and Tofranil (imipramine)
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as Nardil (phenelzine), Parnate (tranylcypromine), and Marplan (isocarboxazid)

Although no antidepressant is completely “safe” to mix with alcohol, Wellbutrin and SSRIs are generally considered lower risk than older drugs like TCAs and MAOIs. For example, TCAs are more sedating and can interact more severely with alcohol than SSRIs. MAOIs carry the highest risk, as combining them with alcohol (especially certain types like red wine or beer) can cause severe blood pressure spikes.

The bottom line

Mixing Wellbutrin with alcohol isn’t recommended. This medication, often used to manage depression or smoking, can interact with alcohol in ways that affect the central nervous system, sometimes leading to life-threatening problems. Even one or two drinks might cause serious side effects like seizures, confusion, or worsening symptoms of depression. 

The risks of complications can be higher when you’re just starting Wellbutrin or experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms. While some people who’ve been on Wellbutrin long-term might be able to drink in moderation, it’s important to get medical advice, especially if you have kidney problems or a history of heavy drinking.