Dr. Ahmed
Ozempic and Wellbutrin are two potent weight-loss drugs with different mechanisms. Ozmepic is a low-dose formulation of Semaglutide and is only approved for the treatment of diabetes type 2. Its high-dose formulation, Wegovy, has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of obesity in individuals without diabetes.
Wellbutrin is the brand name of Bupropion. It is primarily indicated for the treatment of depression and smoking cessation, and ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactive disorder).
Wellbutrin is not indicated for the treatment of obesity, however, in combination with naltrexone, the drug has been approved by the FDA for obesity. Bupropion and naltrexone combo pill is available in the markets by the brand name Contrave.
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Can you use Ozempic and Wellbutrin together for weight loss?
Ozempic and Wellbutrin are drugs from a different classes of medicines. The manufacturer has not issued any recommendations on whether to use or avoid the combination of Ozempic and Wellbutrin together.
However, there don’t seem any drug-drug interactions between Ozempic and Wellbutrin. In fact, most overweight and obese patients have comorbid depression as well.
Antidepressants typically lead to weight gain, which can reduce the weight loss benefits of Ozempic.
This is especially true for drugs like Zoloft (Sertraline), Seroxat (Paroxetine), and Cipralex (Escitalopram).
Although Zoloft, Seroxat, and Cipralex are potent antidepressants, people with depression using these drugs continue to gain weight despite using Ozempic.
In addition, gaining weight can be a trigger of depression and anxiety. Switching to Wellbutrin is a very logical choice for such patients.
However, it is very important to consult a healthcare provider before switching to any antidepressant.
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What to expect using Ozempic and Wellbutrin together?
There is very limited data on the combined use of Ozempic and Wellbutrin. We collected data from about 61 individuals who were taking Wellbutrin and simultaneously administered Ozempic injections (from Reddit).
What conclusion we drew from their experiences:
- Ozmepic and Wellbutrin can be used in combination safely.
- Using these two in combination can lead to accelerated weight loss in comparison to using either one of them alone.
- Combining Wellbutrin with Ozempic may alleviate the symptoms of fatigue that have been commonly observed with Ozempic
- Some patients may observe more gastrointestinal side effects such as abdominal fullness, constipation, and diarrhea.
- Individuals resistant to the weight loss effects of Wellbutrin may notice dramatic results which were not seen with Wellbutrin monotherapy alone.
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How much weight loss could one expect using Wellbutrin and Ozempic together?
Approximately 20 individuals reported the amount of weight they lost in pounds and the length of time they used a combination of Ozempic and Wellbutrin.
The mean duration they were on combination therapy was 4.3 months ranging from 1 to 10 months
The mean weight loss recorded with the combination therapy was: 23.8 lbs ranging from 9 to 50 lbs.
The maximum weight loss was documented after 7 months of treatment.
The percentage of patients who lost 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% weight loss is tabulated below:
Percentage weight loss |
Percentage of people |
| >5% weight loss | 100 |
| >10% weight loss | 95 |
| >15% weight loss | 75 |
| >20% weight loss | 65 |
| >25% weight loss | 40 |
It is obvious that weight loss in combination therapy is very significant compared to the weight loss reported with each drug alone.
The mean weight loss reported with Wellbutrin alone is about 2 to 4 pounds. Ozempic has been associated with a mean weight loss of about 15 to 20 pounds in clinical trials.
In real-world patient data taken from Reddit, the mean weight loss was 17.51 pounds over a mean period of 9.2 weeks (2.14 months).
Here is a table summarizing the weight loss effects of combining Wellbutring and Ozempic vs each drug alone:
Drug |
Mean Weight Loss |
| Wellbutrin | 2 – 4 lbs |
| Ozempic | 17.51 lbs |
| Ozempic + Wellbutrin | 23.8 lbs |
The weight loss effect of combining Wellbutrin with Ozempic seems like a synergistic effect rather than an additive effect.
The following picture demonstrates the percentage of weight loss of the combination therapy in a bar-chart format:
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Side effects of combining Ozempic with Wellbutrin:
Side effects of combining Ozempic and Wellbutrin were minimal in the real-world patient data. The patients who reported side effects are tabulated below:
| Side effects of Ozempic and Wellbutrin together (how the patients described them) |
| Unsavory side effects |
| GI issues |
| Unpleasant issues when increasing the dose |
| Felt over stimulated |
| Discontinuation syndrome when stopped |
| Full body rash |
| Messed with my sleep and anxiety, easily angered |
| I am so hungry, the opposite! |
| Haven’t lost much weight 😥 |
| Not feeling any hunger |
| My weight loss is so fast, I have a ton of loose skin |
| Constipation |
| Fatigue |
Here is a brief comparison of Ozempic and Wellbutrin:
Ozempic (semaglutide) |
Wellbutrin (bupropion) |
|
| Prescription required | Yes | Yes |
| Primary Use |
|
|
| Weight Loss Effectiveness | Yes | May be |
| Approved for Weight Loss | No | No |
| Mechanism of Action for Weight Loss | Reduces appetite, increases feelings of fullness, slows down stomach emptying | Reduces appetite, increases energy levels |
| Other Possible Side Effects |
|
|
| Drug Interactions | Yes | Yes |
| Weight Loss formulation | Wegovy | Contrave (Wellbutrin + Naltrexone) |
In conclusion:
Ozempic and Wellbutrin can be safely used in combination. There is a slight increase in the incidence of side effects, however, the weight loss effect of each drug is augmented when the two drugs are combined.
In addition, people using the combination reported more control over binge eating, and cravings, and had improved energy (with minimal fatigue).
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