{"id":631116,"date":"2025-01-20T18:51:04","date_gmt":"2025-01-20T23:51:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=631116"},"modified":"2026-03-23T20:12:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T00:12:31","slug":"phentermine-and-wellbutrin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/phentermine-and-wellbutrin\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you take phentermine and wellbutrin together for weight loss?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Around 65% of adults in the United States say willpower alone is not enough to lose weight and keep it off with lifestyle changes, according to a Pew Research survey from 2024. That means there are millions of people looking to weight loss drugs for help. One such drug is <\/span>phentermine<\/span><\/a> (brand name: <\/span>Adipex<\/span><\/a>). If you\u2019re taking <\/span>Wellbutrin<\/span><\/a> (bupropion) for depression and are considering weight loss medication, you may wonder whether phentermine is safe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what you should know if you\u2019re considering taking both medications together.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you take phentermine and Wellbutrin together for weight loss?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cIt is not recommended to combine phentermine and Wellbutrin together for weight management because there is a drug-drug interaction between the two agents,\u201d say <\/span>Diana Roman, Pharm.D.<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Miriam B. Morkos, Pharm.D.<\/span><\/a> of<\/span> Marshall B. Ketchum University<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

More specifically, \u201cWellbutrin is associated with an increased seizure risk and should not be combined with other agents that may increase seizure risk, such as phentermine.\u201d It can also cause a condition called <\/span>serotonin syndrome<\/span>, which can be potentially life-threatening.<\/span><\/p>\n

The problem for some people is that obesity and depression may occur simultaneously. Studies have demonstrated <\/span>a reciprocal connection<\/span><\/a> between major depressive disorder and weight gain. In fact, people with obesity have a 55% higher chance of developing depression, while people diagnosed with depression have a 58% higher chance of developing obesity, <\/span>according to a study from 2020<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But according to <\/span>Hannah Cohan<\/span><\/a>, a board-certified nurse practitioner with the Medical Offices of Manhattan, \u201cIt’s safer to explore other weight loss options, such as <\/span>Zepbound<\/span><\/a> (tirzepatide) or <\/span>Ozempic<\/span><\/a> (semaglutide), which can be used alongside Wellbutrin without the same risk of serotonin-related complications.\u201d <\/span>Qsymia<\/span><\/a> (phentermine\/topiramate) and <\/span>Contrave<\/span><\/a> (bupropion\/naltrexone) without Wellbutrin may be safer options purely for weight management.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Contrave vs. phentermine<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Some people actually report <\/span>weight loss while taking Wellbutrin<\/span><\/a>, so if you give it some time, you may find that phentermine isn\u2019t necessary. Regardless, it\u2019s extremely important to consult a healthcare provider about the best options for any specific case of obesity or depression. And \u201cif a decision is made by a provider to combine the two agents, it is important to exercise caution and monitor therapy,\u201d say Drs. Roman and Morkos.<\/span><\/p>\n

What you should know about taking Wellbutrin and phentermine together<\/span><\/h2>\n

Even though there are specific instances when healthcare providers might prescribe Wellbutrin and phentermine together, they\u2019re usually not combined. That\u2019s because they can have some fairly serious drug interactions. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n