Tamoxifen and Wellbutrin

Wisdom48
Wisdom48 Member Posts: 5
in Breast Cancer #1
Hi I am new to this site and have been having problems getting some straight answers from "all" of my doctors on this issue. It has to do with taking Tamoxifen and Wellbutrin at the same time. I have been on both for one year and all my doctors had listed in their records that I was taking both but no warnings. Now the pharmacist has told me that by taking these two drugs together I essentially have not been getting the benefit of the Tamoxifen. Obviously I was a little alarmed. Anyone have any imput on this. Thanks. Linda

Comments

  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #2
    Welcome Linda!
    Certain antidepressants inhibit the benefits of Tamoxifen and should not be taken together. Here is a list of them and I also included the website you can check out. And, you can just google tamoxifen and antidepressants and get the same information.

    Antidepressants

    There are certain antidepressants that are thought to interact with Tamoxifen. This is because the Tamoxifen itself suppresses hormones within the body that can have a significant impact on the mood. When combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors—commonly known as SSRIs—this impact can turn to severe depression.

    Also, these antidepressants may inhibit some of the active enzymes within the drug. Some of the medications that patients should avoid include:

    Paxil
    Zoloft
    Prozac
    Effexor
    Cymbalta
    Citalopram (Celexa)
    Lexapro
    Wellbutrin

    According to most articles, Paxil, Prozac and Wellbutrin are the main antidepressants to avoid taking if you are on Tamoxifen.


    Here is the link to one website. Tamoxifen and Antidepressants
  • Wisdom48
    Wisdom48 Member Posts: 5
    #3
    Kylez said:

    Welcome Linda!
    Certain antidepressants inhibit the benefits of Tamoxifen and should not be taken together. Here is a list of them and I also included the website you can check out. And, you can just google tamoxifen and antidepressants and get the same information.

    Antidepressants

    There are certain antidepressants that are thought to interact with Tamoxifen. This is because the Tamoxifen itself suppresses hormones within the body that can have a significant impact on the mood. When combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors—commonly known as SSRIs—this impact can turn to severe depression.

    Also, these antidepressants may inhibit some of the active enzymes within the drug. Some of the medications that patients should avoid include:

    Paxil
    Zoloft
    Prozac
    Effexor
    Cymbalta
    Citalopram (Celexa)
    Lexapro
    Wellbutrin

    According to most articles, Paxil, Prozac and Wellbutrin are the main antidepressants to avoid taking if you are on Tamoxifen.


    Here is the link to one website. Tamoxifen and Antidepressants

    Tamoxifen
    Wow you are the first person that has given me some concrete information. The link was very useful and I printed it so I can give to my oncologist the next time we meet. My pharmacist suggested that it would be a good idea to really space out the time I take each of the medications. One in the morning and the other at night. I find it hard to believe that all my doctors missed this interaction between these two medications.
    Thank you.
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #4
    Wisdom48 said:

    Tamoxifen
    Wow you are the first person that has given me some concrete information. The link was very useful and I printed it so I can give to my oncologist the next time we meet. My pharmacist suggested that it would be a good idea to really space out the time I take each of the medications. One in the morning and the other at night. I find it hard to believe that all my doctors missed this interaction between these two medications.
    Thank you.

    You're welcome and I am
    You're welcome and I am sorry that you even have to deal with this. I really don't understand why all oncologists don't point this out to their patients, as, they know what medications you are on. Please do bring this up to your oncologist at your next appointment.

    Good luck to you!


    Hugs, Kylez
  • Wisdom48
    Wisdom48 Member Posts: 5
    #5
    Kylez said:

    You're welcome and I am
    You're welcome and I am sorry that you even have to deal with this. I really don't understand why all oncologists don't point this out to their patients, as, they know what medications you are on. Please do bring this up to your oncologist at your next appointment.

    Good luck to you!


    Hugs, Kylez

    Thank you
    Thanks so much.
    Happy Turkey Day!

    Linda
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #6
    Wisdom48 said:

    Thank you
    Thanks so much.
    Happy Turkey Day!

    Linda

    Hi Linda and Welcome!
    Hi Linda and Welcome! You've got a great reply from Kylez and all I could add is that I do know that certain antidepressants are not to be taken with tamox. I think I even read on here before where if you do, it can double your chance of a recurrence, which none of us want.

    I hope you are doing great and I hope you have a great holiday!


    Hugs and Welcome again,


    Megan
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #7
    Megan M said:

    Hi Linda and Welcome!
    Hi Linda and Welcome! You've got a great reply from Kylez and all I could add is that I do know that certain antidepressants are not to be taken with tamox. I think I even read on here before where if you do, it can double your chance of a recurrence, which none of us want.

    I hope you are doing great and I hope you have a great holiday!


    Hugs and Welcome again,


    Megan

    Welcome Linda to the site no
    Welcome Linda to the site no one wants to join. You are now with a sisterhood of amazing women. If I were you, I would contact my oncologist right away and go over this with him or her. You should not be on wellbutrin and tamox at the same time as far as I know. I wish you good luck and let us know what you find out.


    Happy Holiday,

    Noel
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #8
    Noel said:

    Welcome Linda to the site no
    Welcome Linda to the site no one wants to join. You are now with a sisterhood of amazing women. If I were you, I would contact my oncologist right away and go over this with him or her. You should not be on wellbutrin and tamox at the same time as far as I know. I wish you good luck and let us know what you find out.


    Happy Holiday,

    Noel

    Linda, it looks like you've
    Linda, it looks like you've got some good advice already. Just wishing you well and keep us updated.

    Love your pic! Beautiful children!


    Hugs, Debby
  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #9
    DebbyM said:

    Linda, it looks like you've
    Linda, it looks like you've got some good advice already. Just wishing you well and keep us updated.

    Love your pic! Beautiful children!


    Hugs, Debby

    I was given
    I was given a prescript for a antidepressant by my family doctor.I debated on taking it.Asked my oncologist and she said it would affect me taking tamox.She told me of another to take.I havent taken anything.I prob should be but I have heart palipitaions taking some meds and also have problems being weaned off meds.Had a real serious heart problem when I went off Caffeine pop a few years ago.Went cold turkey and my heart acted up.Try to find out what I did different but it took months for me to realize it was going off Coke products.

    I take meds for this heart condition and have for over 30 years but when the heart goes out of whack it's very very scary.

    I haven't been real emotional till recently. Bronchitis beat me down for a couple months.Resulted in a vitamin defiency. This has me worried and getting out of sorts with the stress.Other than that I was doing OK.Now taking IV fluids with vitamins to boost me back to health.Faster than the pills.

    I was amazed when I read they do these IV's for cancer patients taking chemo etc.Many health issues these Vitamin IV's benefit.

    Lynn Smith
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #10
    Kylez said:

    Welcome Linda!
    Certain antidepressants inhibit the benefits of Tamoxifen and should not be taken together. Here is a list of them and I also included the website you can check out. And, you can just google tamoxifen and antidepressants and get the same information.

    Antidepressants

    There are certain antidepressants that are thought to interact with Tamoxifen. This is because the Tamoxifen itself suppresses hormones within the body that can have a significant impact on the mood. When combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors—commonly known as SSRIs—this impact can turn to severe depression.

    Also, these antidepressants may inhibit some of the active enzymes within the drug. Some of the medications that patients should avoid include:

    Paxil
    Zoloft
    Prozac
    Effexor
    Cymbalta
    Citalopram (Celexa)
    Lexapro
    Wellbutrin

    According to most articles, Paxil, Prozac and Wellbutrin are the main antidepressants to avoid taking if you are on Tamoxifen.


    Here is the link to one website. Tamoxifen and Antidepressants

    Interesting, that
    Interesting, that Effexor(Venlafaxine is on that website's list of anti depressants to avoid. There are other websites that state Effexor is safe while on Tamoxifen. I was under the impression most women on tamoxifen take Effexor. Effexor(Venlafaxine) is supposed to be the best choice for women on Tamoxifen, right?

    http://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=2145-0,2296-1524
    http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Mental_Health_Letter/2010/June/antidepressants-and-tamoxifen
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20141708

    As always, it is best to discuss these things with your oncologist.
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #11
    Lynn Smith said:

    I was given
    I was given a prescript for a antidepressant by my family doctor.I debated on taking it.Asked my oncologist and she said it would affect me taking tamox.She told me of another to take.I havent taken anything.I prob should be but I have heart palipitaions taking some meds and also have problems being weaned off meds.Had a real serious heart problem when I went off Caffeine pop a few years ago.Went cold turkey and my heart acted up.Try to find out what I did different but it took months for me to realize it was going off Coke products.

    I take meds for this heart condition and have for over 30 years but when the heart goes out of whack it's very very scary.

    I haven't been real emotional till recently. Bronchitis beat me down for a couple months.Resulted in a vitamin defiency. This has me worried and getting out of sorts with the stress.Other than that I was doing OK.Now taking IV fluids with vitamins to boost me back to health.Faster than the pills.

    I was amazed when I read they do these IV's for cancer patients taking chemo etc.Many health issues these Vitamin IV's benefit.

    Lynn Smith

    What did your onco say about
    What did your onco say about antidepressants?
  • Pinky68
    Pinky68 Member Posts: 206 Member
    #12
    cinnamonsmile said:

    Interesting, that
    Interesting, that Effexor(Venlafaxine is on that website's list of anti depressants to avoid. There are other websites that state Effexor is safe while on Tamoxifen. I was under the impression most women on tamoxifen take Effexor. Effexor(Venlafaxine) is supposed to be the best choice for women on Tamoxifen, right?

    http://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=2145-0,2296-1524
    http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Mental_Health_Letter/2010/June/antidepressants-and-tamoxifen
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20141708

    As always, it is best to discuss these things with your oncologist.

    Antidepressants
    SSRI's have helped me out a lot.
    After my ovaries were removed I started taking Femara, which is supposed to be ok with anti depressants..I'm so glad your pharmacist told you..
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #13
    cinnamonsmile said:

    Interesting, that
    Interesting, that Effexor(Venlafaxine is on that website's list of anti depressants to avoid. There are other websites that state Effexor is safe while on Tamoxifen. I was under the impression most women on tamoxifen take Effexor. Effexor(Venlafaxine) is supposed to be the best choice for women on Tamoxifen, right?

    http://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=2145-0,2296-1524
    http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Mental_Health_Letter/2010/June/antidepressants-and-tamoxifen
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20141708

    As always, it is best to discuss these things with your oncologist.

    I've also read that certain
    I've also read that certain antidepressants should never be taken if you are on tamox. Please talk to your oncologist about this. If you find out something new, let us know.


    Hugs, Angie
  • Wisdom48
    Wisdom48 Member Posts: 5
    #14
    Kylez said:

    Welcome Linda!
    Certain antidepressants inhibit the benefits of Tamoxifen and should not be taken together. Here is a list of them and I also included the website you can check out. And, you can just google tamoxifen and antidepressants and get the same information.

    Antidepressants

    There are certain antidepressants that are thought to interact with Tamoxifen. This is because the Tamoxifen itself suppresses hormones within the body that can have a significant impact on the mood. When combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors—commonly known as SSRIs—this impact can turn to severe depression.

    Also, these antidepressants may inhibit some of the active enzymes within the drug. Some of the medications that patients should avoid include:

    Paxil
    Zoloft
    Prozac
    Effexor
    Cymbalta
    Citalopram (Celexa)
    Lexapro
    Wellbutrin

    According to most articles, Paxil, Prozac and Wellbutrin are the main antidepressants to avoid taking if you are on Tamoxifen.


    Here is the link to one website. Tamoxifen and Antidepressants

    Oncology Appointment Yesterday
    Update.... Had my first visit with new oncologist (my other one retired) and she seems nice enough. We had a very long talk about the fact that I had taken Tamoxifen and Wellbutrin for a year. She agreed that I should not be on both - Duh! I also found out for the first time that the tissue that they tested after my lumpectomy was LCIS. My other oncologist failed to tell me that so I am still processing what this means and what I should do with the information.

    New oncologist called me today and had a lot of suggestions. She would like for me to switch from Tamoxifen to Aromasin (said better for post-men.) She also wants to do some testing to see how my body metabolizes medications. And she wants me to have a MRI at least once year and a diagnostic mammogram once a year.

    I guess I am moving along... thank you for your advise it really helped me with I was talking to my doctor yesterday.

    Best,

    Linda
  • Wisdom48
    Wisdom48 Member Posts: 5
    #15
    Noel said:

    Welcome Linda to the site no
    Welcome Linda to the site no one wants to join. You are now with a sisterhood of amazing women. If I were you, I would contact my oncologist right away and go over this with him or her. You should not be on wellbutrin and tamox at the same time as far as I know. I wish you good luck and let us know what you find out.


    Happy Holiday,

    Noel

    Thank you
    Thanks Noel. I met with my new oncologist yesterday and she has recommended me to change from Tamoxifen to Aromosin...so here I go.

    Best,

    Linda
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #16
    Wisdom48 said:

    Oncology Appointment Yesterday
    Update.... Had my first visit with new oncologist (my other one retired) and she seems nice enough. We had a very long talk about the fact that I had taken Tamoxifen and Wellbutrin for a year. She agreed that I should not be on both - Duh! I also found out for the first time that the tissue that they tested after my lumpectomy was LCIS. My other oncologist failed to tell me that so I am still processing what this means and what I should do with the information.

    New oncologist called me today and had a lot of suggestions. She would like for me to switch from Tamoxifen to Aromasin (said better for post-men.) She also wants to do some testing to see how my body metabolizes medications. And she wants me to have a MRI at least once year and a diagnostic mammogram once a year.

    I guess I am moving along... thank you for your advise it really helped me with I was talking to my doctor yesterday.

    Best,

    Linda

    I'm glad your doctor told
    I'm glad your doctor told you that you shouldn't be on tamox and wellbutrin. I wonder why she didn't tell you that before. hmm I am not on tamox or any other hormone therapy myself Linda, just so you know, so, I am not much help on any advice on any of them.

    You are moving along! Take care and keep posting!


    Hugs, Kylez
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #17
    Kylez said:

    I'm glad your doctor told
    I'm glad your doctor told you that you shouldn't be on tamox and wellbutrin. I wonder why she didn't tell you that before. hmm I am not on tamox or any other hormone therapy myself Linda, just so you know, so, I am not much help on any advice on any of them.

    You are moving along! Take care and keep posting!


    Hugs, Kylez

    Linda, glad you got that
    Linda, glad you got that straightened out. Wishing you good luck and keep us updated.


    Hugs, Noel
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #18
    Noel said:

    Linda, glad you got that
    Linda, glad you got that straightened out. Wishing you good luck and keep us updated.


    Hugs, Noel

    Iam on lexapro and it is ok
    Iam on lexapro and it is ok to take, I woul be a looney without it. But will talk to my onc about switching, he says I am still premenopausal, but after 3 years I am like really?

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