Wellbutrin (Bubropion) with Coronary Artery Disease?

[Boogaloo_Bash]

Hello people, thanks for having me in the forum.

I was wondering if anyone here has experience with taking Wellbutrin with CAD? I was diagnosed 3 months back with a 75% stenosis in the Ramus Intermedius. Apparently this is a vessel that most people dont have, is quite small and narrow and is not one of the main vessels. All other vessels are fine and my heart size/shape/structure is quite good. Cholesterol was quite high but I have got that right down through a healthy diet and medication. I had been suffering with daily palpatations for around a year and the occasional episode of afib now and then, but since changing my diet and taking the meds the afib has stopped and now i just have occasional palpatations. So, I think I am doing ok.

I am taking 40mg of Atorvastatin, 81mg Asprin and 5mg Bisoprolol each day.

Just before I was diagnosed I brought a 2 month supply of Wellbutrin to help with depression. Like many of us, its been a tough year and covid-19 put an end to my business. Coupled with that I live in Thailand and have been real homesick for a year or two. My plan was to sell the house here and move back to the UK (me and my wife). We found a buyer, had everything lined up, but again the pandemic ruined it all after the buyer pulled out. It might be a year or two before we can move back, which is adding to my depressed mood.

I havent been officialy diagnosed with depression but I am almost certain I have it. The doctors over here are not very good in this field, especialy with westeners (they just diagnose prozac to anyone who reports even the most subtle of mood changes). I researched this myself and decided to try Wellbutrin, for various reasons. I was going to start with them the very week I was diagnosed, but didnt.

I really want to give them a go and see if it helps with my mood and energy levels as I have been useless for months now, but I am worried about taking them unless they cause some kind of affect on my heart or interact with my meds in a negative way. I cant seem to find any concrete information about this online, and wondered if anyone within the forum has an idea?

I did ask my cardiologist here in Thailand, but he had never heard of Wellbutrin and kinda shrugged it off in an 'I have no idea' kind of way. I have a private cardiologist in the UK who is absolutley brilliant, and I could ask her, but it is 350 GBP for a private zoom consultation which seems like a lot of money just to ask one simple question (I forgot to ask her about it the last time we spoke a couple months back).

Sorry, I am rambling a bit here.... I guess its a pretty simple question, does anyone have any insight into this at all?

Much appreciated!

[lavander1]

I have paroxsysmal AF and I take 80mg Atorvastatin for a slight thickening. Bisporolol and Warfarin. If I were you, I wouldn't take anything without asking a cardiac specialist in the uk. You may be able to take something like Sertraline for depression but that needs close monitoring. Taking any drug without knowing its interactions with another is not to be recommended. Please seek advice in the UK first. Good luck

[heartsonfire]

Hi there,

Perhaps there’s another way to contact your cardiologist in the UK without the expense of Zoom.

Firstly I would send an email to your specialist with an attachment of a photo of the packet of the anti depressants you have, also photo of the ingredients and contra indications.

Secondly find out if you can make arrangements to video call, Skype, or FaceTime for free with your cardiologist, bearing in mind the time difference.

Good luck with everything.