I was taking Escitalopram 20 mg from my previous dr. My new dr. Refilled it and gave me bupropion 150 mg. They are both antidepressants. Did he make a mistake?
Should I take bupropion and escitalopram at the same time?
Question posted by Larripearl on 2 days 5 hours ago
Last updated on 3 July 2025
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Answers
Before you take anything, did you tell your new doctor you were already on an antidepressant? If you did not, contact him/her and inform him/her, and take it from there.
Major interaction between both drug, meaning:
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Interactions between your drugs
Major
buPROPion escitalopram
Applies to: bupropion, escitalopram
Talk to your doctor before using buPROPion together with escitalopram. Combining these medications may increase the risk of seizures, which may occur rarely with either medication. In addition, buPROPion can increase the blood levels of escitalopram, which may increase other side effects. You may be more likely to experience seizures with these medications if you are elderly, undergoing alcohol or drug withdrawal, have a history of seizures, or have a condition affecting the central nervous system such as a brain tumor or head trauma. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol during treatment. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Then there are 4 moderate Drug and food/lifestyle interactions, meaning:
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Source and more detailed information:
https://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=440-0,1013-0
I´m not in the U.S., just saw the caledar... if you did tell your new doc, he/she most likely knows about the major potential interaction and has outweighed that the benefit is greater than the potential risk and would not put you in harms way...
I am not a Dr., nor do I pretend to be one. I have been on meds half my life, 28 years, a word of advice, it´s a long weekend, not a good idea to start a new antidepressant under these conditions so until you are able to talk to your Dr. on monday and clarify your doubts/questions, try to relax this long weekend and reduce the risk of spending it in the ER.
Related topics
depression, bupropion, escitalopram, antidepressant, antidepressants
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