Wellbutrin is a brand name of the antidepressant medication bupropion. Your doctor may prescribe it to treat depression, to prevent depression if you have seasonal affective disorder or to help you quit smoking. It may interact with certain medications, but fiber pills are not typically one of them. In fact, a common side effect of bupropion is constipation, so your doctor may recommend you take fiber pills to help with this.
Common Side Effects
Wellbutrin has some common side effects that, while unpleasant, may not necessarily require medical attention. These include constipation, stomach pain, a loss of appetite, dizziness, sweating, unintentional weight-loss and trembling. If these side effects do not subside within a few weeks of taking Wellbutrin, or if they become bothersome to you, tell your doctor. In the instance of constipation, he may recommend you take fiber pills or add more fiber-rich foods to your diet to help promote regular digestion.
Fiber and Constipation
While constipation may be uncomfortable, it is rarely a serious condition. Nevertheless, you can make certain lifestyle changes to help encourage regular bowel movements. You can try increasing the amount of fiber in your diet, since this nutrient makes your stools soft, bulky and easier to pass. Foods such as apples, broccoli, kidney beans, raspberries, carrots, whole-grain cereal and prunes are all considered high-fiber foods. Drinking more water and exercising regularly can also help relieve constipation, as can fiber pills, provided that you have your doctor’s approval to take them.
Other Interactions
Wellbutrin may not interact with fiber pills, but it can interact with several other medications. These include monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, which can cause seizures if taken within 14 days of Wellbutrin. The antidepressant may also interact with other antidepressants, amantadine, beta blockers, diet pills, diabetes medications, phenobarbital, oral steroids and nicotine patches, among other medications. Always tell your doctor about the medications, supplements and vitamins you take before consuming Wellbutrin. Additionally, never begin taking anything new, including fiber pills, without first discussing it with your doctor.
Additional Considerations
If you are constipated for more than a week, especially if you are already taking fiber pills or following a high-fiber diet, seek medical attention. See your doctor as well if you experience any other side effects associated with Wellbutrin, as some of these may be serious. If you believe that your fiber pills are interacting negatively with Wellbutrin, stop taking them and call your health care provider. He may suggest a different type of fiber pill or other remedy for constipation.
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