What cold medications are safe to take with Wellbutrin?
By
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii, PhD, is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drug Design and Development, Enzymes, Molecular Modelling, and Photodynamic Therapy. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii’s Highlights:
- Postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo, emphasizing therapy of neglected diseases using light.
- PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Six months as an international researcher at the Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (University of California San Diego)
- Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes – São Paulo / Brazil
Professional Experience:
2012 – 2018 Project manager at University of São Paulo – Pharmacy Department
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii has worked with computational studies, synthesis, biological evaluation, design, and development of new inhibitor candidates for Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis.
2017 – 2017 International research fellow at University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences – Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases.
She used Virtual Screening (VS) and High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Integration in the Discovery of new drugs against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
2018 – 2019 Faculdades Oswaldo Cruz
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy, teaching the subjects of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Development.
2019 – 2021 Researcher in Biochemistry University of São Paulo – Biochemistry Department
She applied Photodynamic Therapy in Leishmaniasis Treatment, mentored undergraduate students in scientific activities, and wrote, executed, translated, and reported scientific projects with funding agencies.
2023-2023 UniPiaget – University Center.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a Biology, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, and Pharmacy professor.
Education:
2018 -2021 Postdoctoral at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo
2013 -2018 PhD of Science: Drugs and Medicines at Department of Pharmacy at University of São Paulo
2012 -2013 M.Sc. of Sciences: Drugs and Medicines at the Department of Pharmacy at the University of São Paulo
2005-2008 Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes
The leading publications of Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii are:
Vital-Fujii, D.G, Baptista, M.S. (2021). Progress in the photodynamic therapy treatment of Leishmaniasis. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 54, 1-11.
Gatti, F. M., Gomes, R.A., da Fonseca, A.L., Lima, E.J.C., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Taranto, A.G., Varotti, F.P., Trossini, G.H.G. (2020). Antiplasmodial activity of sulfonylhydrazones: in vitro and in silico approaches. Future medicinal chemistry, 13, 233-250.
Silva, E.J., Bezerra-Souza, A., Passero, L.F., Laurenti, M.D., Ferreira, G.M., Fujii, D.G.V., et al. (2018). Synthesis, leishmanicidal activity, structural descriptors and structure-activity relationship of quinoline derivatives. Future medicinal chemistry, 10, 2069-2085.
Leite, F.H.A., Froes, T.Q., da Silva, S.G., de Souza, E.I.M., Vital-Fuji,i D.G., Trossini, G.H.G., et al. (2017). An integrated approach towards the discovery of novel non-nucleoside Leishmania major pteridine reductase 1 inhibitors. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 132, 322-332.
Vital, D.G., Damasceno, F.S., Rapado, L.N., Silber, A.M., Vilella, F.S., Ferreira, R.S., et al. (2017). Application of bioisosterism in design of the semicarbazone derivatives as cruzain inhibitors: a theoretical and experimental study. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 35, 1244–1259.
Mello, J. F.R., Gomes, R.A., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Ferreira, G.M., Trossini, G.H.G. (2017). Fragment-based drug discovery as alternative strategy to the drug development for neglected diseases. Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 90, 1067-1078.
Pantaleao, S.Q., Fujii, D.G.V., Maltarollo, V.G., da C. Silva, D., Trossini, G.H.G., Weber, K.C., et al. (2017). The Role of QSAR and Virtual Screening Studies in Type 2 Diabetes Drug Discovery. Medicinal Chemistry, 13, 706-720.
Vital, D., Arribas, M., Trossini, G. (2014). Molecular Modeling and Docking Application to Evaluate Cruzain Inhibitory Activity by Chalcones and Hydrazides. Letters in Drug Design and Discovery, 11, 249-255.
Blau, L., Menegon, R.F., Trossini, G.H.G., Molino, J.V.D., Vital, D.G., Cicarelli, R.M.B., et al. (2013). Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new aryl thiosemicarbazone as antichagasic candidates. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 67, 142-151.
You can view some of Dr Drielli’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9270-0466
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Drielli-Gomes-Vital-Fujii
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55829534000
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=F9U50AEAAAAJ&hl=pt-BR
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/driellivital
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/6101380/drielli-gomes-vital
CDIPD: https://cdipd.org/index.php/about-us/visiting-scientists
What cold medications are safe to take with Wellbutrin?
The following cold medications are considered safe to be taken with Wellbutrin:
- Antihistamines (with few exceptions)
- Expectorants
- Painkillers (Analgesics)
- Vitamin C and Zinc supplements
Antihistamines (with few exceptions)
Antihistamines can be safely taken with Wellbutrin, generally second-generation antihistamines like Zyrtec (Cetirizine), Claritin (Loratadine), etc.
They typically stay in your system for almost an entire day (24 hours) and do not interact with Wellbutrin. However, I don’t recommend using first-generation antihistamines with Wellbutrin, especially Benadryl (Diphenhydramine).
This is because these antihistamines are mostly sedative. Benadryl, particularly, can react pharmacokinetically with Wellbutrin as the antidepressant can delay the metabolism of Benadryl and it ends up staying longer in your body. This can increase the intensity of Benadryl-induced side effects.
Wellbutrin can also cause some side effects like tiredness, which may become much more severe when this antidepressant is taken with a CNS depressant or sleep-inducing anti-allergies like Benadryl or first-generation sedative antihistamines in general.
Expectorants
Expectorants, like Guaifenesin, can be safely taken with Wellbutrin. These meds help loosen up the mucus blocking your airways and enhance its removal.
This way, your throat and airways clear up. The good thing is that there is no known interaction between Wellbutrin and Guaifenesin.
Painkillers (Analgesics)
Tylenol, the safest painkiller, can be used with Wellbutrin without any interaction as they don’t seem to interfere with the efficacy of one another.
Some NSAIDs like Ibuprofen can also be used with Wellbutrin safely. Make sure you either use Tylenol or Ibuprofen with Wellbutrin and not both.
Vitamin C and Zinc supplements
Vitamin C and Zinc supplements can also be safely taken with Wellbutrin. Since they are supplements and not actual medications, there is no known interaction between them and Wellbutrin.
Vitamin C and Zinc are used to treat common cold and flu symptoms as they enhance your immunity and strengthen your body to fight against the symptoms.
Cold medications that should be avoided with Wellbutrin
There are some cold medications that should be avoided with Wellbutrin. These meds include Dextromethorphan, an OTC cough suppressant and nasal decongestants, like pseudoephedrine.
The concomitant use of these medications with Wellbutrin can increase the risk of psychological side effects. Dextromethorphan, in particular, can increase the risk of over-excitation and serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but life-threatening condition.
This is why you should seek medical advice if you are suffering from cold and flu symptoms while taking Wellbutrin. Your doctor will recommend the safest medication and will adjust the doses if needed. Don’t pair any such medication with Wellbutrin that can affect your brain.
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References
1.-
MedlinePlus. Bupropion. MedlinePlus drug information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2022 Feb 15; cited 2022 Nov 29]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a695033.html
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