Can you take Wellbutrin and Effexor together for weight loss?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Can you take Wellbutrin and Effexor together for weight loss?
Wellbutrin and Effexor are not weight-loss pills and they are meant to be used for depression, anxiety, and several other mental health conditions. However, you can take Wellbutrin and Effexor together if your healthcare provider has prescribed this combination.
Wellbutrin (Bupropion) is an antidepressant that belongs to the class of drugs known as norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs). Wellbutrin is primarily used for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) (1).
Effexor (Venlafaxine), on the other hand, is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Effexor is primarily used for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder (2).
Both of them are prescription medications and should never be used for purposes other than the ones mentioned unless your healthcare provider recommends them for off-label use.
Do Wellbutrin and Effexor together cause weight loss?
If we closely look at the two antidepressants and their relationship with weight loss, we find one antidepressant with more promising results. Wellbutrin (Bupropion) is known as the best antidepressant for weight loss, energy, and motivation (3).
It can help you lose a significant amount of weight, especially if you’re overweight or obese. Effexor may also help with weight loss, but it can also cause weight gain. However, it’s not recommended to take antidepressants for the sake of weight loss.
The combination of antidepressants is commonly prescribed when monotherapy is not sufficient to manage your mental health condition. However, if you suffer from depression comorbid with obesity, this combination can help you achieve your desired therapeutic outcomes.
Make sure you use antidepressants properly and do not exceed your doctor’s recommended dose.
Non-pharmacological ways to lose weight
There are plenty of non-pharmacological ways to lose weight and you don’t always have to seek aid from medications. Weight loss pills can cause some side effects, that you can easily prevent by opting for natural weight loss methods. Some of them include:
Make healthy food choices
Focus on consuming whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. Avoid sugary snacks, sodas, and foods high in saturated fats.
It is also important to be mindful of your portion sizes. Use smaller plates and bowls, and listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues. Eating slowly and savouring each bite can also help you feel satisfied with less food.
Regular physical activity
Engage in regular exercise or physical activities that you enjoy, such as walking, cycling, dancing, or swimming. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, along with strength training exercises for muscle toning.
Get adequate sleep
You should get at least 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Poor sleep can disrupt hunger-regulating hormones and increase cravings for unhealthy foods.
Manage stress
Find healthy ways to cope with stress, such as practising relaxation techniques (deep breathing, meditation, yoga) or engaging in activities you enjoy. Stress can lead to emotional eating, so it’s important to find alternative outlets for stress relief.
You can also seek support from friends, family, or a support group. Having a support system can provide encouragement, accountability, and motivation throughout your weight loss journey.
Final words
To sum up, you shouldn’t take Wellbutrin and Effexor together just for the sake of weight loss. These are prescription antidepressants which should never be used unless prescribed by your doctor.
If you wish to shed some extra kilos, focus on natural ways of losing weight. It may take some time to get you there, but it’s the healthiest type of weight loss and one should always go for it, instead of taking medications – unless absolutely necessary.
Was this helpful?
References
1.-
Huecker MR, Smiley A, Saadabadi A. Bupropion. 2023 Apr 9. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29262173. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470212/
2.-
Huecker MR, Smiley A, Saadabadi A. Bupropion. 2023 Apr 9. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29262173. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535363/
3.-
Gadde KM, Parker CB, Maner LG, Wagner HR 2nd, Logue EJ, Drezner MK, Krishnan KR. Bupropion for weight loss: an investigation of efficacy and tolerability in overweight and obese women. Obes Res. 2001 Sep;9(9):544-51. doi: 10.1038/oby.2001.71. PMID: 11557835. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11557835/
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