Question: A friend has been on Effexor XR for a few years now, but the doctor wants her to get on Welbutrin to help her stop smoking. Can she take both Welbutrin and Effexor XR together if she cuts the Effexor XR to 75 from 150, and will this give her the desired effect of both?
— Jeremy W.
Answer: Effexor XR and Wellbutrin XL or SR are usually tolerated well taken together. She may not need to decrease her dose of Effexor XR.
It is better to take Wellbutrin in the am and Effexor at suppertime or 6pm to avoid both peaking at the same time. She might want to at least monitor her BP, especially if she takes both in the am.
This combination is especially good for managing sexual side effects, delayed/absent orgasm and/or libido.
Wellbutrin may also help with possible weight gain on Effexor XR (or any SSRI/SNRI). For decreased craving for cigarettes, she will probably need 300 mg Wellbutrin and possibly 450 mg/day. The XL form is safer and better tolerated, but the SR form is in generic, and therefore, sometimes necessitated by cost issues.
This article originally appeared in the Q&A section 04/01/2005. Revised 01/22/2006.
2 thoughts on “Taking Wellbutrin and Effexor Together”
Thank you! That answers my question as well for the same reason. I am well aware that when you cease taking Effexor, you get some pretty bad withdrawl. The ‘Brain Shivers’ are not my idea of a good time. I get so dizzy, I almost fall down the steps getting off a bus. Or, wipe out whenever I stand up from the couch. I need to stop smoking and Wellbutrin (Zyban) has been strongly recommended, but I can’t stop taking Effexor.
Thanks a bunch! Kimo.
I am on my second week of effexor, Just started 75mg today. I am so tired, and I feel like a zombie. Will this get better, or should I consider taking wellbutrin along with the Effexor? I have a problem with lower energy anyway, and I have had a constant headache. I also thought about getting my Dr. to switch me back to prozac, and possibly take Wellbutrin along with that. I did well with Wellbutrin, except for my anxiety.
Please help!