Why Do Doctors Prescribe Wellbutrin and Lexapro Together?

Wellbutrin is usually prescribed for anxiety disorders like social anxiety, seasonal affective disorder, and depression/major depressive disorder, and it is crucial if you want to combat the diagnosis. These are medical conditions that need medical advice. Your doctor might prescribe one or two combined drugs when a single medicine does not provide relief. For example, Zoloft and Wellbutrin, or Wellbutrin and Lexapro

Learn more about why doctors prescribe Wellbutrin and Lexapro together. In this blog, we will cover;

• The benefits of combining the two
• Safety precautions and
• The science behind their interactions.

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Understanding Lexapro & Wellbutrin 

Learning more about each medicine before starting treatment is important because it reduces the chances of serious side effects, withdrawal symptoms, and allergic reactions. If you don’t know how and when to use Wellbutrin or Lexapro, contact your doctor.

What is Wellbutrin?

Bupropion, or the brand name Wellbutrin, belongs to the class of antidepressants known as norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors NDRI. Wellbutrin is available in Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL. Bupropion increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which helps to enhance mood and reduce depressive symptoms.

Although both are effective in treating anxiety and depression, doctors prescribe Wellbutrin because of fewer side effects. Unlike other antidepressants, Wellbutrin focuses on increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine and does not cause weight gain. Instead, it leads to weight loss. The half-life is 21 hours. Read, how long does Wellbutrin stay in your system?

What is Lexapro?

Lexapro is the brand name for the generic escitalopram, which is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, SSRI. Doctors usually prescribe Lexapro for generalized anxiety disorder GAD and for the treatment of depression.

Escitalopram increases serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter used to regulate emotions and mood. The selective mode of action of escitalopram on serotonin reuptake allows a more specific and targeted approach to managing anxiety and depression symptoms.

Lexapro is the first-line treatment plan for anxiety disorders and depression, but if it doesn’t offer relief, then Wellbutrin is used. Most often, a combination of two different medicines is used for better results, and that is why doctors prescribe Wellbutrin and Lexapro together, as they have various modes of action. (Anxiety needs to be treated on time; if it becomes chronic, it can cause anxiety vomiting.

Consult a healthcare professional to determine the best medication based on the individual’s needs.

WARNING – Do not combine Lexapro with alcohol.

Reasons Why Do Doctors Prescribe Wellbutrin & Lexapro Together?

When one single drug fails to offer the desired effect, your doctor will prescribe a combination of two different antidepressants. In this case, Wellbutrin and Lexapro.

Learn more about the benefits and reasons doctors prescribe Wellbutrin and Lexapro together.

Potential Synergistic Effect

When combined, Lexapro and Wellbutrin have a synergistic effect. Therefore, the result is better management of depression and anxiety. According to studies, it results in improved symptoms compared to the drugs used alone. 

Wellbutrin increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine; in contrast, Lexapro increases serotonin. Therefore, all three neurotransmitters are targeted, resulting in a drastic reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Additional Benefits Beyond Individual Effects on Neurotransmitters

Wellbutrin positively impacts cognitive functions, such as attention and memory. This is useful for people who suffer from cognitive difficulties due to depression and anxiety. 

Lexapro has a calming effect on the nervous system, reducing anxiety symptoms and providing a sense of relief. Lexapro is better suited for people who struggle with anxiety and depression.

Positive Impact on Sleep

If you are still wondering why doctors prescribe Wellbutrin and Lexapro together, then know it has numerous benefits. We saw two, so let’s move to the third.

The combination of Wellbutrin and Lexapro leads to better nighttime sleep. However, Wellbutrin has a minimal effect on sleeping patterns. In contrast, people taking Lexapro have shown better sleep patterns and a reduction in insomnia.

Improved Mood

Another key benefit is the regulation of mood. This combination targets different neurotransmitters that are involved in mood stabilization. The result is better relief from anxiety and depression symptoms, leading to an overall quality of life.

Reduction in Side Effects

Finally, when Wellbutrin and Lexapro are combined, the side effects of these individual meds are reduced. It happens because the dosage for both is reduced to an optimal level. This approach is beneficial in reducing the side effects of the individual medicines.

Safety Precautions When Combining Lexapro and Wellbutrin

The combination of two drugs needs a lot of care, considerations, and precautions. There has to be a reason why doctors prescribe Wellbutrin and Lexapro together, but if you are suffering from depression and anxiety and have been prescribed Wellbutrin and Lexapro, make sure you read the following carefully. The right dosage is important. Read common signs Wellbutrin is working for you.

1. All medicines have side effects, and a combination of bupropion and escitalopram does, too, lead to a risk of side effects. Make sure you work closely with your doctor and allow them to monitor your response to the med. Visit them regularly and note down any side effects you notice. 
2. The next thing to consider is the drug interactions. Although considered safe, at times, a drug might not suit you, and for others, it does. So, it all comes up to individual responses on Wellbutrin and Lexapro. 
3. If you have a history of seizures or are on medicines that lower the threshold of seizures, then this combination will increase the risk of seizures. Also, if you have bipolar disorder or have manic episodes now and then, then using Wellbutrin and Lexapro can increase the risk of mood disorders.
4. You do not need to worry; your healthcare provider will carefully examine your present health conditions and evaluate your medical history. This ensures that this combination is beneficial for you. That is why doctors prescribe Wellbutrin and Lexapro together.

Wellbutrin and Lexapro- Are They Suitable for You?

This combination is not suitable for all. Prescription medications are only given after careful evaluation and discussion with the patient. Your doctor must evaluate your symptoms, patient history, how well your body tolerates each med, and whether the combination suits you. 

After carefully examining these factors, they will make an informed decision. Other factors, such as drug interactions, pre-existing medical conditions, and side effects, play a crucial role in determining the combination of Lexapro and Wellbutrin.

Side Effects of Combining Wellbutrin and Lexapro

Are you suffering from panic disorder or GAD and have been prescribed a combination of Wellbutrin and Lexapro? Read carefully the following to avoid adverse reactions.

Enhanced Blood Levels of Lexapro

When combined with Wellbutrin, the concentration of escitalopram increases in the blood. This increase intensifies the side effects of the medicine while increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a life-threatening condition that takes place when the levels of serotonin in the blood exceed. It can lead to the following;

• Heavy sweating
• Loss of muscle coordination
• Confusion
• Heart palpitations
• Dilated pupils
• And in some severe cases, 
• high fever
• Unconsciousness and,
• Seizures.

Note: Before starting treatment with these two drugs, make sure you are aware of the risks and adverse reactions that can occur. This calls for telling your medical history to the doctor to avoid the worst-case scenarios. If you are already on treatment, keep a close eye on the above symptoms and seek a medical emergency if necessary.

Talking to Your Healthcare Professional About Wellbutrin and Lexapro

Before visiting your doctor, you must be prepared for your appointment. Consider writing down the symptoms of panic attacks and anxiety you are facing and how severe they are. What are the triggers, and what options do you have in mind?

Writing these options down will help the doctor make a clear judgment based on your symptoms and whether combining drugs would be a feasible option. Tell if you suffer from high blood pressure, liver problems, or other medical conditions.

Questions You Need to Ask Your Healthcare Professional

During the first visit, do not hesitate to ask your doctor any questions you have in mind or express your concern regarding the side effects of drug interaction medicine. 

You can ask the following questions.

• Why do doctors prescribe Lexapro well and be trained together?
• How does combining both these drugs work together
• What are the potential side effects benefits and side effects of combining Lexapro and Wellbutrin
• make sure you ask them about any precautions that you need to take while on these drugs.

Other Anxiety and Depression Treatment Plans

Along with drugs, your doctor will explore other treatment options that complement your treatment plan. This includes psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps develop coping strategies and addresses the underlying issue rather than curing the symptoms. Lifestyle modifications are also encouraged, and a healthy diet and stress management have proven beneficial.

It would be wise to treat your healthcare professional as your partner in your mental health journey. Ask questions, discuss your symptoms, and discuss everything concerning you. 

Together, you can address a treatment plan that would work best for you. If your doctor recommends combination medication for anxiety disorders, ask them about the benefits of doing so and make sure you know why doctors prescribe Wellbutrin and Lexapro together.

The Bottom Line

Finally, to wrap up the blog, if you are still questioning why doctors prescribe Wellbutrin and Lexapro together, remember that doing so has many benefits. For example, the medications’ synergic effects will enhance mood and reduce the side effects. 

However, before combining two drugs, you should know that combination therapy should be approached with caution because of the drug interactions and severe adverse effects. 

Likewise, only start a prescription drug with prior consultation with your healthcare provider. Have an open discussion with them and explore the treatment options together.

Even in your darkest moments, remember that your strength lies in the fact that you keep going. No matter how small, every step forward is a victory worth celebrating.

FAQs

1. Does Lexapro or Wellbutrin cause weight gain?

Yes, all antidepressants cause some sort of potential side effects, and in the case of Wellbutrin and Lexapro, it causes weight gain. Among the two, Wellbutrin is considered weight-neutral and causes weight loss. However, the extent of weight gain/loss varies among individuals.

2. Does Wellbutrin work better than Lexapro?

We can’t say that definitely because all medications work differently for panic disorders and anxiety disorders. And there is a reason why doctors prescribe Wellbutrin and Lexapro together.  However, each person varies, and one medication that works well for someone might not work for others. So, doctors consider several factors before prescribing a drug to their patients.

3. Can I use Wellbutrin or Lexapro while pregnant?

Wellbutrin is classified as a b by the FDA, meaning it can be used safely during pregnancy. The contents of bupropion do not cross the placenta, while Lexapro is classified as class C, and not much study on humans has been done to declare it safe or unsafe. However, as per studies conducted on animals, teratogenic effects were noticed in the fetus, and it is seen that Lexapro crosses the human placenta. Therefore, have a prior consultation and tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become one soon.

4. Can I use Wellbutrin or Lexapro with alcohol?

The toxic effects of Wellbutrin and Lexapro are increased when combined with alcohol. Doctors do not recommend drinking alcohol while on these drugs because of the risk of psychomotor impairment risk. If you have a history of seizure disorder, avoid alcohol when on this combination of drugs.

5. Can Wellbutrin help with anxiety?

Wellbutrin is not the first-line treatment plan for anxiety. For that, SSRIs and SNRIs are prescribed. However, when combined with other drugs, in this case, Lexapro, it helps combat the symptoms of depression and anxiety.