Wellbutrin and Beta-Blockers
It was believed that such antidepressants as Wellbutrin (bupropion) are relatively safe in patients with significant cardiovascular disease. Recent studies have demonstrated that antiarrhythmic agents in patients with ischemic heart disease do not interact with bupropion agents. However, bupropion can cause high blood pressure in some people and should be used cautiously by people who have recently had a heart attack or heart failure. Besides, the efficacy of bupropion has not been established in the older and more severely depressed patient population who experience heart problems or have high blood pressure.
Thus, if you take Wellbutrin and drugs for heart diseases or you have high blood pressure you should learn the following.
If you take Zestril, you should know that there can be some interaction between bupropion (Wellbutrin) and lisinopril (Zestril). Wellbutrin can have some effects on the chemical makeup in the brain and can cause a (usually) small decrease in blood pressure. While Zestril is being used for blood pressure, it can decrease it too much, which might explain the reason for the increased heart rate. Taken Together these medications can cause additive effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, confusion, or a drop in blood pressure particularly when getting up from a sitting position.
Tenormin can also interact with Wellbutrin. Recent studies have found out that Tenormin agents exhibit hypotensive effects, especially during initiation of therapy and dose escalation. Taking it together with antihypertensive agents such as Wellbutrin may result in additive effects on blood pressure and orthostasis.
One more type of medication that interact with Wellbutrin is metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol). The interaction between these types of medicine is caused by the same reasons as mentioned above.
If you take Lopressor or Toprol and Wellbutrin simultaneously, you may experience chest pain (angina) or have heart disease (e.g., coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease, high blood pressure), do not stop using this drug without first consulting your doctor. Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. If your doctor decides you should no longer use this drug, you must gradually decrease your dose according to your doctor's instructions.
Thus, if you take Wellbutrin and any of these drugs it is highly recommended to consult the doctor as it can lead to the development of heart attacks and high blood pressure.