Wellbutrin

Wellbutrin may affect your coordination or judgment and impair your ability to drive or operate dangerous machinery. Avoid activities that require full alertness until you know how the drug affects you.

Like all antidepressants, Wellbutrin could trigger a manic episode in people with bipolar disorder.

Although Wellbutrin occasionally causes weight gain, a more common effect is weight loss: Some 28 percent of people who take this medication lose 5 pounds or more. If depression has already caused you to lose weight, and if further weight loss would be detrimental to your health, Wellbutrin may not be the best antidepressant for you.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Wellbutrin

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Wellbutrin; an interaction between alcohol and Wellbutrin could increase the possibility of a seizure.

Wellbutrin should not be combined with drugs that lower the seizure threshold, including:

Antidepressants classified as MAO inhibitors, such as Nardil and Parnate
Other antidepressants such as Elavil, Norpramin, Pamelor, Paxil, Prozac, Tofranil, and Zoloft
Antipsychotic drugs such as Haldol, Risperdal, Mellaril, and chlorpromazine
Cocaine
Diabetes medications such as Glucotrol and Prandin
Insulin
Opiates such as heroin and morphine
Sedatives, including benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium
Steroid medications such as prednisone
Stimulants, including over-the-counter diet drugs
Theophylline (Theo-24, Uniphyl)

If Wellbutrin is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Wellbutrin with the following:

Beta blockers (used for high blood pressure and heart conditions) such as Inderal, Lopressor, and Tenormin
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
Heart-stabilizing drugs such as Rythmol and Tambocor
Levodopa (Larodopa)
Nicotine patches such as Habitrol, NicoDerm CQ, and Nicotrol patch
Orphenadrine (Norgesic)
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin (Dilantin)