Does tamoxifen interfere with Wellbutrin working?

orangeflower

I know that *Wellbutrin* interferes with *tamoxifen* working, but what about the other way around? My oncologist and psychiatrist didn't know the answer. Maybe nobody does....

I have to be on Wellbutrin, and I need it to work. My case of depression is pretty serious and longstanding. I'm about to try toremifene, but if that doesn't work out, I may have to consider giving tamoxifen another try.

BCat40

orangeflower,

My non-doctor understanding is that the answer is no. Wellbutrin messes with tamoxifen because it is an inhibitor of the CYP2D6 liver enzyme, which is needed to metabolize tamoxifen. Wellbutrin itself is metabolized by the CYP2B6 liver enzyme, and I don't see anything anywhere saying that tamoxifen is an inhibitor of CYP2B6. Here's some more info on Wellbutrin metabolism and interactions: https://www.drugs.com/pro/wellbutrin.html#s-34073-7 (scroll down to the "drug interactions" section).

orangeflower

Thanks BCat40, that makes a lot of sense.

Beccamb

Wellbutrin interferes with how Tamoxifen attaches to receptors. There are a lot of articles / case studies that recommend other antidepressants that are in a different class.

If you go the the link in the other post and type in Tamoxifen and the look up Wellbutrin, there is an explanation in plain English and you can also read the professional info - that goes into more detail about percentage of cancer reoccurrence when using antidepressants are moderate to potent inhibitors versus ones that are mild inhibitors.

I have been doing a lot of reading about this because I have not had success with other antidepressants and I didn't want to switch.

Moderators

Thank you for your post, Beccamp, and welcome to Breastcancer.org! We're so glad you've joined us and hope you find it to be a place of support and encouragement. Please keep us all posted as to how things go for you, and let us Mods know if we can be of any help. We would love to hear more from you!

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From the Mods

ShetlandPony

If the oncologist and the psychiatrist don't know, the person to ask is a good pharmacist. Maybe your cancer center has one. Your doctors should have offered to speak to one on your behalf, but maybe you would rather speak directly to the pharmacist anyway.