Is it safe to switch to Wellbutrin while on Cymbalta?

Question

Hi doctor,

My current medications are 60 mg Cymbalta for depression and 300 mg Seroquel for the sleep disorder.

I am in my 40s and I have had a few episodes of depression during my lifetime. I was lucky enough to be able to attend a psychiatrist in a country I lived in for a long time. It was a great help. My question at the moment is about medication.

When I was quite depressed I took Cymbalta and another antidepressant which I am fairly certain was Wellbutrin. I dropped the secondary antidepressant after a year or so as I began to feel better. I am just considering using it again as I am now in a state of emotional upheaval due to a family death.

I have just got in touch with a GP for an appointment in the next two weeks. What I would like to know is, it safe to take Cymbalta, Seroquel, and go back to Wellbutrin? How would I work the dosage? Would I start with 150 mg of Wellbutrin and possibly go up to 300 mg? When should I take the antidepressants? Can I take them both at the same time, or do I need to space them out?

I am not prone to seizures and I have never had one. I am a female.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for taking help from a psychiatrist. You can take Cymbalta and Seroquel. You are already on both medications, so you should continue both medications.

If you fill depressed then take tablet Wellbutrin 150 mg once in the morning for a short period of time, then we can taper off within 6 months. If you do not improve your depression on 150 mg of dose after 15 days then we can increase the dosage as per requirement. You can take medications together and you do not need to space out. But you must take Seroquel at night as it causes sedation.

Even you should follow some non-pharmacological management as mentioned below.

1. Do exercises daily for 30-45 minutes like walking.

2. Do meditation for 20 minutes daily.

3. Eat healthy home cooked foods, avoid junk foods.

4. Spend quality time with friends and family daily.

5. Spend time for creative hobbies like read good books, write journals, painting, drawings, learn new skills or language or musical instruments.

6. Take enough (7-8 hours) sleep daily.

7. Avoid tobacco or alcohol or any substance abuse.

I hope this helps.