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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by msFortunate on October 22, 2007, at 11:38:06
I'm on 200 mg of Wellbutrin/day (SR). I'm a fairly regular social drinker. Lately I have noticed that if I have a few beers (meaning anywhere from 1 to 5), it doesn't take much to set me off temper-wise. I've never been like this when I drink, medicated or not. The outbursts happen with very little provocation, and are difficult to control and understand. I don't feel like myself when this happens, and I certainly don't feel good about my behavior. It's hurtful to the people closest to me and I'm growing frustrated.
I'm wondering if anyone else has had a problem simlilar to mine.
Posted by tecknohed on October 22, 2007, at 16:21:11
In reply to Wellbutrin, Alcohol and Irritability, posted by msFortunate on October 22, 2007, at 11:38:06
> I'm on 200 mg of Wellbutrin/day (SR). I'm a fairly regular social drinker. Lately I have noticed that if I have a few beers (meaning anywhere from 1 to 5), it doesn't take much to set me off temper-wise. I've never been like this when I drink, medicated or not. The outbursts happen with very little provocation, and are difficult to control and understand. I don't feel like myself when this happens, and I certainly don't feel good about my behavior. It's hurtful to the people closest to me and I'm growing frustrated.
>
> I'm wondering if anyone else has had a problem simlilar to mine.I used to go 'WACKO' when I drank with paroxetine (an SSRI). Mind you, I am alcoholic.
Maybe you could try another AD. Or, if the Wellbutrin is 'really' helping your depression then cut back on the drink.
Also, some alcoholic drinks (cider, 'snakebite', etc) have a reputation for making people aggressive. Maybe change what you drink?
Another thought is that Wellbutrin shares some actions of cocain & amphetamines (they all inhibit reuptake of NA/NE & DA, the difference being that cocain & amphetamines also increase the release of NA/NE & DA but Wellbutrin does not - I think!). Both cocain & amphetamines are notorious for causing violence when combined with alcohol.
Just something to think about.
Posted by unbottled on October 22, 2007, at 16:35:42
In reply to Wellbutrin, Alcohol and Irritability, posted by msFortunate on October 22, 2007, at 11:38:06
I took Wellbutrin at a much higher dosage for
years and didn't get that problem, possibly
because I rarely drink anymore.However I can well believe your outbursts.
The WB promotes dopamine, and so does alcohol.
I get insanely angry sometimes when I've
generated too much dopamine (e.g. oral
selegiline) - I bet I would have run into the
same problem if I'd been taking WB earlier.Your metabolism is of course different but
I found that the WB effect was not sustained.
What I would do in your shoes is take my WB
early in the day, drink only in the evening,
and watch my emotional temperature closely.And listen to those stern warnings about
too many "social drinking" days/nights
in a row!
Posted by msFortunate on October 23, 2007, at 7:29:37
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, Alcohol and Irritability » msFortunate, posted by tecknohed on October 22, 2007, at 16:21:11
> I used to go 'WACKO' when I drank with paroxetine (an SSRI). Mind you, I am alcoholic.
>
> Maybe you could try another AD. Or, if the Wellbutrin is 'really' helping your depression then cut back on the drink.
>
> Also, some alcoholic drinks (cider, 'snakebite', etc) have a reputation for making people aggressive. Maybe change what you drink?
>
> Another thought is that Wellbutrin shares some actions of cocain & amphetamines (they all inhibit reuptake of NA/NE & DA, the difference being that cocain & amphetamines also increase the release of NA/NE & DA but Wellbutrin does not - I think!). Both cocain & amphetamines are notorious for causing violence when combined with alcohol.
>
> Just something to think about.
Thanks for the food for thought - I'll keep it all in mind next time I'm at the bar.This is the first time in my life I've ever been like this. My ex-husband was an alcoholic and very abusive when he drank. I'm seeing characteristics of that in myself and it's scary. Maybe I just have underlying issues there.
Posted by msFortunate on October 23, 2007, at 7:32:00
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, Alcohol and Irritability, posted by unbottled on October 22, 2007, at 16:35:42
> I took Wellbutrin at a much higher dosage for
> years and didn't get that problem, possibly
> because I rarely drink anymore.
>
> However I can well believe your outbursts.
> The WB promotes dopamine, and so does alcohol.
> I get insanely angry sometimes when I've
> generated too much dopamine (e.g. oral
> selegiline) - I bet I would have run into the
> same problem if I'd been taking WB earlier.
>
> Your metabolism is of course different but
> I found that the WB effect was not sustained.
> What I would do in your shoes is take my WB
> early in the day, drink only in the evening,
> and watch my emotional temperature closely.
>
> And listen to those stern warnings about
> too many "social drinking" days/nights
> in a row!
>
>
>This is very good information. I'll be sure to pay closer attention to how I'm feeling before I hit the bar.
The only problem with taking my dosage early in the day is that it's 200 mg split into 100 mg in the morning and 100 in the evening. That's the only issue I run into really. If I need to cut back on the alcohol, then I need to do that and there *shouldn't* be a problem with that.
Posted by Dragon Black on October 24, 2007, at 21:33:56
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, Alcohol and Irritability, posted by unbottled on October 22, 2007, at 16:35:42
Since when does alcohol affect dopamine? I've never heard this. TMK it affects serotonin and GABA, neurotransmitter-wise.
> I took Wellbutrin at a much higher dosage for
> years and didn't get that problem, possibly
> because I rarely drink anymore.
>
> However I can well believe your outbursts.
> The WB promotes dopamine, and so does alcohol.
> I get insanely angry sometimes when I've
> generated too much dopamine (e.g. oral
> selegiline) - I bet I would have run into the
> same problem if I'd been taking WB earlier.
>
> Your metabolism is of course different but
> I found that the WB effect was not sustained.
> What I would do in your shoes is take my WB
> early in the day, drink only in the evening,
> and watch my emotional temperature closely.
>
> And listen to those stern warnings about
> too many "social drinking" days/nights
> in a row!
>
>
>
Posted by tecknohed on October 25, 2007, at 4:31:12
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, Alcohol and Irritability, posted by Dragon Black on October 24, 2007, at 21:33:56
> Since when does alcohol affect dopamine?
Indirectly perhapse, through the 'reward center' of the brain? A drink can feel very 'rewarding'. Admittedly, if you drink enough alcohol it may inhibit dopamine as it becomes more sedative (esp. beer which contains hops, a CNS depressant).
Posted by Zyprexa on October 26, 2007, at 15:13:04
In reply to Wellbutrin, Alcohol and Irritability, posted by msFortunate on October 22, 2007, at 11:38:06
its the wellbutrin. I had the same problem taking wellbutrin, it made me angry and raised my blood pressure. You will find if you skip a day of wellbutrin that you are much calmer and better in social situations. Lowering your blood pressure might help too, by medicine.
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