Tamoxifen and Buproprion (welbutrin)

dj1reno
dj1reno Member Posts: 6
edited September 2021 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

Is anyone taking Tamoxifen and Buproprion? I guess there is an interaction between the 2 or maybe Buproprion reduces the effects of Tamoxifen?? I was just wondering if anyone is taking the 2 together and is fine on them.

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  • BCat40
    BCat40 Member Posts: 241
    edited September 2021

    Yourdoctor likely will not want you taking them both as Wellbutrin inhibits the liver enzyme that metabolizes tamoxifen, thereby reducing its effectiveness. You can ask about potentially taking toremifene instead or an AI if you are post-menopausal.

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  • dj1reno
    dj1reno Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2021

    I am premenopausal. I was switched to Citalopram in place of the buproprion which is just a less interaction but can cause heart issues so I am seeing a cardiologist now. I am struggling with the side effects and weight gain. I didn't exercise during my radiation treatment and I have gained 20lbs from start of radiation through starting tamoxifen end of May. I am also currently battling lyphadema. I started exercising again in June and I haven't changed any eating habits but it just keeps piling on. Long story short, the reason I am asking about the Buproprion is because I lost weight when I was taking it.

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  • BCat40
    BCat40 Member Posts: 241
    edited September 2021

    ah yes Wellbutrin is great at lowering appetite but SSRIs like celexa can cause sweets cravings. Sounds like you have multiple issues on the weight gain because tamoxifen itself can cause weight gain. I also gained weight during radiation as I was tired and miserable. Sorry it’s so complicated !

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  • Salamandra
    Salamandra Member Posts: 1,444
    edited September 2021

    I originally went off wellbutrin to take tamoxifen. When tamoxifen didn't work out for me (side effects), I tried toremifene instead. It's the same class of drugs as tamoxifen (SERM) but doesn't use that same pathway, so it was ok for me to go back onto wellbutrin with it.

    In retrospect, I wish my doctor had let/guided me to start there. But toremifine is less used and studied in the USA and FDA approved for late stage cancer, rather than prevention of recurrence. There is a lot of research from Asia though (where the genetic variation that effects that pathway is more common).

    Mental health is so important and if wellbutrin is working for you, I wouldn't go off lightly. But I would definitely ask your oncologist about toremifene or other hormonal therapy options.

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  • Firecracker73
    Firecracker73 Member Posts: 14
    edited September 2021

    Hi there. I started Tamoxifen in 2017 following my initial diagnosis and had horrible side effects almost immediately. Tamoxifen rages, anxiety (which I had prior to my diagnosis) skyrocketed, insane weight gain, night sweats- you name it. My PCP started me on 37.5 mg Effexor and it was a lifesaver. Began to work almost immediately for the menopausal side effects and helped immensely with my anxiety and mood stabilization. We tried higher doses but 37.5 worked best for me. And it is one of the drugs that is safe to take with Tamoxifen. Best of luck to you!

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