Can Wellbutrin Be Taken Along With Escitalopram To Manage Fatigue And Sleepiness?

Posted on Fri, 12 Jun 2015

Question: Hello,

I am suffering from depression for sometime now. I am more of a depressed person experiencing from fatigue and excessive sleepiness. I am currently taking 10mg of escitalopram for last 3 weeks. I do feel better, although, I do not feel energetic enough. Should I take Wellbutrin? Can I take two antidepressant at once?

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Wait for some more weeks to see improvement with Escitalopram

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. Escitalopram is a SSRI drug and the drug results in improvement of serotonergic neurotransmission in brain and help in depression. The drug usually takes about 3-4 weeks to show its full effect. You have been taking the drug since 3 weeks only and though their is improvement still there is lack of energy. In such situation I would advise you to wait for some more weeks to see complete improvement. If symptoms persist even after that then you can consult your doctor to increase the dose of the drug or to add some other antidepressant.

Wellbutrin is Bupropion and the drug can augment the actions of Escitalopram and it can help in resistant depression. You can discuss about this drug with your doctor.

No risk in taking Bupropion and Escitalopram together. Two antidepressants can be taken at once, no need to worry.

Thanks, Please dont hesitate to ask again for more doubts.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (2 hours later)

Can you please suggest a dose and best time to take for Wellbutrin? I am currently taking Escitalopram 10mg every morning.

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The drug is usually prescribed in doses of 300-450 mg per day

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking a follow up question

Bupropion or Wellbutrin is usually used in doses of 150 mg twice a day and some times higher doses are used depending upon clinical condition of the patient. Please visit your psychiatrist and take written prescription of the drug.

Thanks, Please ask again if you have more doubts.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (52 minutes later)

Last question, does taking occasional alcohol cause any interaction with any of these antidepressants? Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Try to avoid alcohol but there are no significant interactions.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking a follow up

It is not advisable to take alcohol while on any psychoactive drug but there are no significant interactions between alcohol and escitalopram. Occasional alcohol intake doesn't cause any serious side effects but try to avoid alcohol.

Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad