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Is It Safe To Take Bupropion And Venlafaxine While Having BP?
I have been on Vybriid for the past 60 days after attempting suicide. The drug has been working to manage my depression. I just spoke with my insurance and they said that I have to take two other anti-depressants before they will authorize the Vybriid. They re telling me Bupropion and Venlafaxine. After reading about these drugs, they both warn about high blood pressure, which I currently take 240mg of Diltiazem. Should I proceed in taking these other meds with my high blood pressure history or are they ok to take?
Tue, 20 Feb 2018
Hi & Welcome.
It's not safe to take Bupropion and Venlafaxine while on Diltiazem.
If taken together it may result in the following harmful interactions:
1. The antidepressant drug Bupropion may rarely cause seizures, & taking it with other medications that can also cause seizures such as Venlafaxine may increase that risk.
You may be more susceptible if you are elderly, undergoing alcohol or drug withdrawal or have a history of seizures.
You need to consult your treating doctor as he/she 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.
2. The blood pressure (BP) lowering medication Diltiazem and Bupropion may have additive effects in lowering your BP. You may experience headache, dizziness, light headedness, fainting, and/or changes in pulse or heart rate. These side effects are most likely to be seen at the beginning of treatment, following a dose increase, or when treatment is restarted after an interruption.
3. Ditiazem may also increase the blood levels and effects of Venlafaxine.
Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience increased side effects. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
Hope I could answer your queries.
Best regards.
A feed back is appreciated.
It's not safe to take Bupropion and Venlafaxine while on Diltiazem.
If taken together it may result in the following harmful interactions:
1. The antidepressant drug Bupropion may rarely cause seizures, & taking it with other medications that can also cause seizures such as Venlafaxine may increase that risk.
You may be more susceptible if you are elderly, undergoing alcohol or drug withdrawal or have a history of seizures.
You need to consult your treating doctor as he/she 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.
2. The blood pressure (BP) lowering medication Diltiazem and Bupropion may have additive effects in lowering your BP. You may experience headache, dizziness, light headedness, fainting, and/or changes in pulse or heart rate. These side effects are most likely to be seen at the beginning of treatment, following a dose increase, or when treatment is restarted after an interruption.
3. Ditiazem may also increase the blood levels and effects of Venlafaxine.
Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience increased side effects. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
Hope I could answer your queries.
Best regards.
A feed back is appreciated.
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