If you deal with occasional tension headaches or migraines, you might have an over-the-counter pain reliever like Excedrin in your cabinet. However, individuals taking bupropion (Wellbutrin) should consult with a doctor before taking Excedrin, since the combination could result in increased adverse effects.
Continue reading to learn more about the potential risks of taking Excedrin with Wellbutrin.
Excedrin with Wellbutrin Interactions: Stimulation and Seizures
The combination of Excedrin and Wellbutrin can increase the risk of certain side effects due to the interaction of their chemical components.
Excedrin is composed of three active ingredients: acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine. Acetaminophen and aspirin work together to reduce fever, pain, inflammation and swelling. Excedrin’s caffeine component offers pain relief by narrowing blood vessels in the brain, helping to reduce the intensity of pain signals. Caffeine also seems to support the absorption of acetaminophen, allowing it to work faster.
While Excedrin’s inclusion of caffeine might prove beneficial to those experiencing tension headaches or migraines, there are also potential concerns. The recommended dose of Excedrin delivers roughly the equivalent caffeine content of one cup of coffee, according to the company’s caffeine warning. Because of this, users are instructed to limit other caffeine sources, as too much stimulation might result in adverse symptoms, such as anxiety, irritability, increased heart rate and difficulty sleeping.
That element becomes an even greater cause of concern when the drug is combined with Wellbutrin because of the latter’s stimulating properties, says Rashi Aggarwal, M.D., chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital.
Wellbutrin is an antidepressant often prescribed for individuals with depression or seasonal affective disorder. While it isn’t a stimulant, the drug works by increasing brain levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, which are the neurotransmitters that can impact alertness. Side effects of Wellbutrin include anxiety, difficulty falling asleep, and excitement.
“Both caffeine and Wellbutrin have stimulant effects that can be synergistic, worsening the usual side effects of Wellbutrin,” says Dr. Aggarwal, who goes on to note this combination may increase irritability and jitteriness, could worsen symptoms of anxiety and may even create sleep difficulties.
Taking Wellbutrin and Excedrin might also increase the risk of seizure, Dr. Aggarwal adds. Seizures are a rare side effect associated with high doses of Wellbutrin. And considering the fact that caffeine can also increase the risk of seizures in susceptible individuals, it’s important to talk to your doctor before deciding to take Excedrin if you’ve already been prescribed Wellbutrin.
What Is a Safer Alternative to Excedrin?
Individuals taking Wellbutrin who are looking for tension headache or migraine relief should consider pain relievers without caffeine. Dr. Aggarwal suggests asking your doctor about aspirin, acetaminophen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
Want to learn more about how popular medications interact with over-the-counter drugs and supplements? Check out two more articles in our interaction series: Can I Take Melatonin with Ambien? and Can I Take Ibuprofen with Prednisone?
