7 Interactions found for:
Drug Interactions
Major
Wellbutrin Xl
+ Cymbalta
The following applies to the ingredients: Bupropion (found in Wellbutrin Xl) and Duloxetine (found in Cymbalta)
Professional Content
ADJUST DOSE: Coadministration of bupropion may elevate the plasma concentrations of drugs metabolized by CYP450 2D6. The proposed mechanism is decreased clearance due to bupropion's inhibition of CYP450 2D6 activity. In a study of 15 male volunteers who were extensive metabolizers of CYP450 2D6, administration of a single 50 mg dose of desipramine following treatment with bupropion 150 mg twice daily increased the desipramine peak plasma concentration (Cmax), systemic exposure (AUC) and half-life by an average of 2-, 5-, and 2-fold, respectively. The effect was present for at least 7 days after the last dose of bupropion. In addition, when combined with serotonergic drugs, such as certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) that are CYP450 2D6 substrates, elevated plasma levels may potentiate the risk of a potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. In a case report of a 62-year-old woman with depression, serotonin syndrome developed after three weeks of bupropion and sertraline therapy, initially misdiagnosed as worsening depression and treated with venlafaxine, leading to further symptom progression. The patient recovered after discontinuing the offending medications and treating for serotonin syndrome, with authors highlighting bupropion's role in increasing SSRI levels through CYP450 2D6 inhibition. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include altered mental status, hypertension, restlessness, myoclonus, hyperthermia, hyperreflexia, diaphoresis, shivering, and tremor.
MONITOR CLOSELY: The use of bupropion is associated with a dose-related risk of seizures. The risk may be further increased when coadministered with serotonergic agents that can reduce the seizure threshold such as certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). These agents are often individually epileptogenic and may have additive effects when combined. The estimated incidence of seizures is approximately 0.4% for immediate-release bupropion hydrochloride at dosages between 300 to 450 mg/day (equivalent to 348 to 522 mg/day of bupropion hydrobromide) but increases almost tenfold between 450 mg and 600 mg/day (equivalent to 522 and 696 mg/day of bupropion hydrobromide). Data for sustained-release (SR) bupropion hydrochloride revealed a seizure incidence of approximately 0.1% at dosages up to 300 mg/day and 0.4% at 400 mg/day. Likewise, in clinical trials, an overall seizure incidence of approximately 0.1% has been reported with extended-release (XL) bupropion hydrochloride at dosages up to 450 mg/day and approximately 0.39% at 450 mg/day. The 0.4% seizure incidence may exceed that of other marketed antidepressants by as much as 4-fold.
MANAGEMENT: According to bupropion product labeling, if coadministration of bupropion with CYP450 2D6 substrates is required, concomitant medications should be initiated at the lower end of the dose range. If the concomitant agents possess serotonergic activity (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, and/or TCAs) patients should be monitored more closely for and counseled about the signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome (e.g., altered mental status, hypertension, restlessness, myoclonus, hyperthermia, hyperreflexia, diaphoresis, shivering, and tremor). Additionally, if the coadministered agent is known to lower the seizure threshold, extreme caution is advised particularly in the elderly and in patients with a history of seizures or other risk factors for seizures (e.g., head trauma; brain tumor; severe hepatic cirrhosis; metabolic disorders; CNS infections; excessive use of alcohol or sedatives; addiction to opiates, cocaine, or stimulants; diabetes treated with oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin). Bupropion as well as concomitant medications should be initiated at the lower end of the dosage range and titrated gradually as needed and as tolerated. The maximum recommended dosage for the specific bupropion formulation should not be exceeded. Bupropion should be discontinued and not restarted in patients who experience a seizure during treatment.
References
- "Product Information. Zyban SR (bupropion)." GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd (2024):
- "Product Information. Zyban (bupropion)." GlaxoSmithKline UK Ltd (2024):
- "Product Information. Teva-Bupropion XL (bupropion)." Teva Canada Limited (2021):
- "Product Information. BuPROPion Hydrochloride XL (buPROPion)." Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc (2023):
- Munoz RP "Serotonin syndrome induced by a combination of bupropion and SSRIs https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15602102/" (2024):
Drug and Food Interactions
Moderate
Wellbutrin Xl
+ Food
The following applies to the ingredients: Bupropion (found in Wellbutrin Xl)
Using buPROPion with alcohol may increase the risk of uncommon side effects such as seizures, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, mood and behavioral changes, depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and panic attacks. On the other hand, sudden withdrawal from alcohol following regular or chronic use can also increase your risk of seizures during treatment with buPROPion. If you are prone to frequent or excessive alcohol use, talk to your doctor before starting buPROPion. In general, you should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with buPROPion. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. 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.
The following applies to the ingredients: Bupropion (found in Wellbutrin Xl)
Both buPROPion and caffeine can increase blood pressure. And using them together may have additive effects. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns, particularly if you have a history of high blood pressure or heart disease. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring to safely use both medications. 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.
The following applies to the ingredients: Bupropion (found in Wellbutrin Xl)
Using buPROPion and nicotine together can cause an increase in blood pressure. This can cause dizziness, confusion, uneven heartbeats, and chest pain. If you take both medications together, tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. You may need a dose adjustment or need your blood pressure checked more often if you take both medications. 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.
Moderate
Cymbalta
+ Food
The following applies to the ingredients: Duloxetine (found in Cymbalta)
DULoxetine may cause liver damage, and taking it with alcohol may increase that risk. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with DULoxetine. Call your doctor immediately if you have fever, chills, joint pain or swelling, excessive tiredness or weakness, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash or itching, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dark colored urine, or yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes, as these may be symptoms of liver damage. 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.
Drug and Pregnancy Interactions
Major
Wellbutrin Xl
+ Pregnancy
The following applies to the ingredients: Bupropion (found in Wellbutrin Xl)
Professional Content
This drug should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. Smoking cessation without the use of medications is advisable during pregnancy.
AU TGA pregnancy category: B2
US FDA pregnancy category: C
Comments:
-A pregnancy exposure registry is available.
-Neonates exposed to this drug late in the third trimester may require respiratory support, tube feeding, and/or prolonged hospitalization.
-Exposed neonates should be monitored after delivery for direct toxic effects of this drug, drug discontinuation syndrome, and serotonin syndrome (e.g.,. respiratory distress, cyanosis, apnea, seizures, temperature instability, feeding difficulty, vomiting, hypoglycemia, hypo/hypertonia, hyperreflexia, tremor, jitteriness, irritability, constant crying).
High dose animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of specific teratogenic effects. Low dose animal studies in rabbits have reported a slightly increased incidence of fetal malformations and skeletal variations. Epidemiological studies of pregnant women exposed to bupropion in the first trimester show no increased risk of congenital malformations overall.
Data from the international bupropion pregnancy register (675 trimester exposures) and a retrospective cohort study using the United Healthcare database (1,213 first trimester exposures) and a case-control study from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (6,853 infants with cardiovascular malformations and 5,763 with non-cardiovascular malformations) did not show an increased risk for malformations overall after bupropion exposure during the first trimester. A retrospective database of infants (n=7005) whose mothers were exposed to bupropion in the first trimester and outside of the first trimester also failed to reveal an increased risk for congenital malformation, especially cardiovascular malformation. Study findings on the risk for left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and ventricular septal defect after first trimester exposure to bupropion are inconclusive.
To monitor maternal-fetal outcomes of pregnant women exposed to antidepressant therapy, a National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants has been established. Healthcare providers are encouraged to prospectively register patients. For additional information: https://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants/
AU TGA pregnancy category B2: Drugs which have been taken by only a limited number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age, without an increase in the frequency of malformation or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the human fetus having been observed. Studies in animals are inadequate or may be lacking, but available data show no evidence of an increased occurrence of fetal damage.
US FDA pregnancy category C: Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
References
- "Product Information. Wellbutrin (bupropion)." Glaxo Wellcome PROD (2001):
- "Product Information. Wellbutrin SR (bupropion)." Glaxo Wellcome PROD (2001):
- "Product Information. Zyban (bupropion)." Glaxo Wellcome PROD (2001):
- "Product Information. Wellbutrin XL (bupropion)." GlaxoSmithKline (2003):
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
- "Product Information. Aplenzin (bupropion)." sanofi-aventis (2009):
Major
Cymbalta
+ Pregnancy
The following applies to the ingredients: Duloxetine (found in Cymbalta)
Professional Content
This drug should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.
AU TGA pregnancy category: B3
US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned.
Risk summary: Observational study data have not produced clear drug-associated risks regarding adverse events or major birth defects.
Comments:
-A pregnancy exposure registry is available.
-Neonates exposed to this drug late in the third trimester may require respiratory support, tube feeding, and/or prolonged hospitalization.
-Exposed neonates should be monitored after delivery for direct toxic effects of this drug, drug discontinuation syndrome, and serotonin syndrome.
-Women who discontinued antidepressant use during pregnancy were more likely to experience a relapse of major depression than women who continued antidepressant use.
Animal studies have revealed increased perinatal toxicity and fetotoxicity at doses potentially correlated with maternal toxicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy.
Some neonates exposed to SNRIs (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors), or SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) late in the third trimester had clinical findings including respiratory distress, cyanosis, apnea, seizures, temperature instability, feeding difficulty, vomiting, hypoglycemia, hypotonia, hypertonia, hyperreflexia, tremor, jitteriness, irritability, and constant crying. This clinical picture is consistent with either direct toxic effect of SSRIs and SNRIs, drug discontinuation syndrome, or serotonin syndrome.
A less than 2-fold increase in postpartum hemorrhage was determined by observational data in patients exposed to the drug within 1 month before birth.
A study of women with a history of major depression who were euthymic at the beginning of pregnancy, showed women who discontinued antidepressant medication during pregnancy were more likely to experience a relapse of major depression than women who continued antidepressant medication.
To monitor maternal-fetal outcomes of pregnant women exposed to antidepressant therapy, a National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants has been established. Healthcare providers are encouraged to prospectively register patients. For additional information: https://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants/
Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients receiving Cymbalta by calling the Cymbalta Pregnancy Registry at 1-866-814-6975 or by visiting www.cymbaltapregnancyregistry.com.
AU TGA pregnancy category B3: Drugs which have been taken by only a limited number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age, without an increase in the frequency of malformation or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the human fetus having been observed. Studies in animals have shown evidence of an increased occurrence of fetal damage, the significance of which is considered uncertain in humans.
US FDA pregnancy category Not Assigned: The US FDA has amended the pregnancy labeling rule for prescription drug products to require labeling that includes a summary of risk, a discussion of the data supporting that summary, and relevant information to help health care providers make prescribing decisions and counsel women about the use of drugs during pregnancy. Pregnancy categories A, B, C, D, and X are being phased out.
References
- "Product Information. Cymbalta (duloxetine)." Lilly, Eli and Company (2004):
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
Drug and Breastfeeding Interactions
Major
Wellbutrin Xl
+ Breastfeeding
The following applies to the ingredients: Bupropion (found in Wellbutrin Xl)
Professional Content
A decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding to the infant and the importance of the drug to the mother.
-Some experts recommend: Use with caution.
Excreted into human milk: Yes
Comment: Another drug may be preferred, particularly when breastfeeding a newborn or preterm infant.
There is limited information that maternal bupropion at oral doses up to 300 mg daily produces low levels in breastmilk. It is not generally expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants; however, there are case reports of possible seizure in partially breastfed 6-month-olds. Alternate drugs that may be considered in place of bupropion include nortriptyline, paroxetine, and sertraline.
One case report has suggested that bupropion accumulates in human breast milk in concentrations much greater than in maternal plasma. At least two metabolites of bupropion are also detectable in human milk. However, in the plasma of one nursing infant whose mother took bupropion, neither bupropion nor its metabolites could be detected.
Data from a lactation study in 10 women showed breastmilk levels of 45.2 mcg/L for bupropion, and 104.6 mcg/mL, 72.1 mcg/mL, and 459 mcg/mL for it metabolites hydroxybupropion, erythrohydroxybupropion, and threohydroxybupropion, respectively. The authors of this study estimated that an exclusively breastfed infant would receive an average of 0.2% of the maternal weight-adjusted dose of bupropion and an average of 2% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage of bupropion plus metabolites.
References
- "Product Information. Wellbutrin (bupropion)." Glaxo Wellcome PROD (2001):
- "Product Information. Wellbutrin SR (bupropion)." Glaxo Wellcome PROD (2001):
- "Product Information. Zyban (bupropion)." Glaxo Wellcome PROD (2001):
- "Product Information. Wellbutrin XL (bupropion)." GlaxoSmithKline (2003):
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
- "Product Information. Aplenzin (bupropion)." sanofi-aventis (2009):
- United States National Library of Medicine "Toxnet. Toxicology Data Network. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT" (2013):
Major
Cymbalta
+ Breastfeeding
The following applies to the ingredients: Duloxetine (found in Cymbalta)
Professional Content
Use is not recommended and a decision should be made to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Excreted into human milk: Yes
Comments:
-Some experts state that a more thoroughly studied alternative agent (e.g., nortriptyline, paroxetine, sertraline) may be preferred while breastfeeding premature or neonates.
-The American Academy of Pediatrics classifies other antidepressants as agents for which the effect on nursing infants is unknown but may be of concern.
-Exposed infants should be monitored for developmental milestones, feeding, sedation, weight gain, especially in younger infants who are exclusively breastfed and/or when breastfed infants are exposed to multiple antipsychotropic agents.
The estimated neonatal dose is approximately 0.1% to 0.3% of the maternal dose.
References
- "Product Information. Cymbalta (duloxetine)." Lilly, Eli and Company (2004):
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
- United States National Library of Medicine "Toxnet. Toxicology Data Network. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT" (2013):
- Briggs GG, Freeman RK. "Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation." Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health (2015):
- National Library of Medicine (US) "Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/" (2019):
Therapeutic Duplication Warnings
No warnings were found for your selected drugs.Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.
Switch to: Professional Interactions
Drug Interaction Classification | |
---|---|
These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication. |
|
Major | Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. |
Moderate | Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. |
Minor | Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan. |
Unknown | No interaction information available. |
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