Wellbutrin combined with Effexor, safe?

[marywarydary]

My doctor has consulted with a psychiatrist and wants that I  begin with 150 mg Wellbutrin in addition to my current dose of 150 mg of Efexor. I have in that context some questions for you

1) According to interaksjoner.no (interaction.no) wellbutrin increases the concentration of Efexor 3 times when combined with Wellbutrin. It will therefore give an increase of 3 times the concentration of Efexor in the blood if I start directly on 150 mg Wellbutrin. This will give the insane sideeffects. Will there be a solution to cut straight down to Efexor 75 mg same day that I start with Wellbutyrin? Alternatively, how would you do this transition? (The reason I ask you is that I have tried to reach my MD for 2 weeks but not available to get in touch with him)

2) Can you drink alcohol when using this combination? Not talking about a lot of alcohol, but a glass of wine now and then.

3) What should doctor follow up during treatment and how often?

4) What  side effects are likely?

5) I have in addition to depression Panic attack. Panic anxiety has been completely lost during treatment with Efexor. Could Wellbutrin cause that panic comes back ?(since Wellbutrin is activating)

6) Does there excist studies that show efficacy / sideeffects of the combination of Efexor and Wellbutrin?

7)How are my risks aty getting seizures with this combo? (I have heard seizures are normal with wellbutrin)
Does taking Effexor with Wellbutrin make it more risky than wellbutrin alone?

8) Do you have any further advice to me in connection with the start of wellbutrin with efexor?

[Jaquta]

I expect the doctor has given you the best advice.  I know it may not feel like it but I think he has.

I think you should address these questions to your doctor.  I also know how frustrating that is when you want answers (and want them now) and can't get them.

You could check out the individual meds for side-effects, etc.  I sometimes use ****.com.  It seems to have a reasonable amount of info.
I don't generally recommend the depression forum here but you may like to ask others if they have experience of that combination of drugs.
Any info shouldn't replace advice you get from your doctor.  In the meantime I think just taking the one med is feasible.  I trust this doctor and I think if I were in a similar situation that is what I would choose to do (trust him and continue taking the one).
Then follow up with your own doctor when they become available.

[marywarydary]

I mean: to give a genereal answer to the questions or at least some of them?

[marywarydary]

Is it possible to answer these questions in general?:)

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

These are all good questions but I can't answer them directly without second guessing your doctor, and I don't know enough about you to do that anyway.  Here is what I suggest. You are having a lot of questions re the two drug combination, so why don't you simply wait until you can talk to a psychiatrist who specializes in these medication before you add wellbutrin. It is a reasonable thing to do, or at least talk these over with your prescribing doctor.

[Jaquta]

I expect it would be more difficult to get hold of your doctor due to the Christmas break.  Could you try another doctor in the practice?

I personally don't think that you should be adjusting medications without first speaking to your doctor.

I would probably abstain from the alcohol.  I expect in very small amounts it would be reasonably safe though.  But then if the medication carries a high risk for seizures I would be extremely cautious.

I think you should be under the care of a psychiatrist and not a general doctor (for your mental health issues).  The doctor will often give a follow-up appointment.  This can vary from weeks to months.

Doctors will often augment drugs.

I personally would recommend you follow up with a psychiatrist and pose these questions to them.
I would also look into the prospect of psychotherapy.