Bupropion + Alcohol
Bupropion + Alcohol: the short answerBupropion (Wellbutrin; also in Contrave) lowers the seizure threshold, and alcohol — especially heavy drinking or sudden withdrawal from it — lowers it further. Together they raise seizure risk and can cause unusual blackouts and poor alcohol tolerance.
Why it’s dangerous
Bupropion is a stimulating antidepressant that dose-dependently reduces the brain's seizure threshold. Alcohol acutely lowers the threshold too, and regular heavy drinkers face a further drop during withdrawal — so binge drinking on bupropion, or drinking heavily and then stopping, creates a perfect setup for seizures. Many people also find alcohol hits them harder and more unpredictably on bupropion.
What happens
- Reduced alcohol tolerance — feeling drunk much faster
- Blackouts and memory gaps at modest amounts
- Elevated seizure risk, especially with binge drinking
- Increased agitation, anxiety, or tremor
Warning signs
- A witnessed seizure or sudden collapse with jerking
- Unusual confusion or blacking out after little alcohol
- Severe tremor, agitation, or hallucinations after stopping heavy drinking
What to do
- Call emergency services for any seizure — protect the head, clear the area, time it, do not restrain
- If you take bupropion, minimize or avoid alcohol and never binge drink
- Heavy daily drinker starting bupropion? Do not stop drinking abruptly without medical supervision — alcohol withdrawal plus bupropion is high-risk
- Tell your prescriber honestly how much you drink before starting this medication