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Can Wellburtin And 5 HTP Be Taken Together?
Question: Can I take Wellburtin and 5 HTP together? I know I cannot take tryptophan with an SSRI, but Wellbutrin is not an SSRI. I have tried various prescription sleep aids and find I have difficulty with the side effect relating to eating issues, including "sleep eating" - that is why I had my doctor change my anti-depressant to something other than an SSRI. I continue to have sleeping issues and need something - do you have any suggestions?
Brief Answer:
Wellbutrin and 5 HTP together sounds safe
Detailed Answer:
Hi, Thanks for writing through HCM.
You already know about wellbutrin, which a brand name of drug bupropion. It is NDRI drug so there is no chance of serotonin syndrome, if it is taken together with 5HTP. But you should consult your prescribing doctor and ask for permission before making any change in your drugs and dosages.
Do you mean that you have nocturnal sleep related eating disorder? Which kind of treatment options you have tried till date? You should avoid sleeping pills, if you are on some.
There are some points you should know about sleep related eating disorder:
1. Management of depression if depression is the cause.
2. Avoid alcohol and caffeine
3. Proper treatment of sleep apnea if present
4. Treatment of primary eating disorder like bulimia should be first if present
5. Stress management by yoga, meditation will be helpful. Breathing exercise will also help.
6. Avid sleeping pills, it can exaggerate it.
7. Counseling and psychotherapy for primary psychiatric illness will help in addition to stress management.
8. Read about sleep hygiene
9. Topiramate is a anticonvulsant drug which shown good effects in recent trials for nocturnal sleep related eating disorder.
The combination of wellbutrin and 5 THP seems good but wellbutrin should be taken in the morning hours because of its activating effects.
Visit your doctor and discuss these suggestions with him and follow his advice.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have further query then I will be happy to help.
Wish you good health.
Wellbutrin and 5 HTP together sounds safe
Detailed Answer:
Hi, Thanks for writing through HCM.
You already know about wellbutrin, which a brand name of drug bupropion. It is NDRI drug so there is no chance of serotonin syndrome, if it is taken together with 5HTP. But you should consult your prescribing doctor and ask for permission before making any change in your drugs and dosages.
Do you mean that you have nocturnal sleep related eating disorder? Which kind of treatment options you have tried till date? You should avoid sleeping pills, if you are on some.
There are some points you should know about sleep related eating disorder:
1. Management of depression if depression is the cause.
2. Avoid alcohol and caffeine
3. Proper treatment of sleep apnea if present
4. Treatment of primary eating disorder like bulimia should be first if present
5. Stress management by yoga, meditation will be helpful. Breathing exercise will also help.
6. Avid sleeping pills, it can exaggerate it.
7. Counseling and psychotherapy for primary psychiatric illness will help in addition to stress management.
8. Read about sleep hygiene
9. Topiramate is a anticonvulsant drug which shown good effects in recent trials for nocturnal sleep related eating disorder.
The combination of wellbutrin and 5 THP seems good but wellbutrin should be taken in the morning hours because of its activating effects.
Visit your doctor and discuss these suggestions with him and follow his advice.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have further query then I will be happy to help.
Wish you good health.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Answered by
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