Lysine is one of the essential amino acids. Your body cannot make lysine, so you must obtain it from food daily. Lysine is also available in supplement form. Bupropion is a prescription antidepressant. There is no indication that the two interact. Do not take a supplement such as lysine unless so directed by a health care professional.
Lysine Sources and Uses
Yogurt, fish, cheese, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, pork and other meats are all lysine sources. Although lysine has not been approved by the FDA to treat any medical conditions, it is often used to treat or prevent herpes infections and canker sores. Herpes is the virus that causes genital herpes and cold sores. Lysine is also used to treat Bell’s palsy and to improve calcium use in the body.
Lysine Side Effects and Interactions
Although lysine has few known side effects, it may cause gastrointestinal distress. Lysine may also cause an allergic reaction that includes hives, facial swelling or swelling in your throat that makes it difficult to breathe. If any of these symptoms occur after you take lysine, seek medical attention immediately. Lysine can interact with the antibiotics gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, kanamycin, neomycin, netilmicin and streptomycin. Taking lysine with them can make these drugs toxic to humans. Lysine does not interact with bupropion.
About Bupropion
Bupropion is a prescription medication used to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder. One form of bupropion is also used to help people stop smoking. The drug is given orally. Bupropion interacts with a number of medications such as the blood thinner Plavix, heart or blood pressure medications, cancer medications and some of the medications used to treat HIV or AIDS. Bupropion may also cause seizures.
Bupropion and Serotonin
Bupropion affects a chemical in your brain called serotonin. Sometimes people react to bupropion by developing a condition called serotonin syndrome; this usually occurs the first time you take the medication or if the dose is too high. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include confusion, agitation, a rapid pulse and high blood pressure, muscle twitching or loss of coordination, and heavy sweating. Serotonin syndrome is more likely to occur if you take a combination of medications that affect serotonin, such as antidepressants, with migraine medications.
Lysine and Serotonin Syndrome
One study in which rats with serotonin syndrome were given lysine indicated that lysine could decrease some of the symptoms of serotonin syndrome. The study was published in the December 2003 issue of “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.” This was a single study that is not applicable to humans and does not mean that you should take lysine if you have serotonin syndrome from bupropion.
Considerations and Warnings
There is no evidence that bupropion interacts with lysine. Don’t take a supplement such as lysine and a medication such as bupropion together without the approval of a doctor. Drugs.com says you should avoid alcohol while taking bupropion but does not indicate that you cannot take lysine. Serotonin syndrome can be life-threatening if severe; contact a health care professional immediately if you think you have serotonin syndrome.
References
- Drugs.com: Lysine
- Gold Standard: Bupropion Hydrochloride Oral tablet, Extended Release 24 Hour [Depression/Mood Disorders]
- Drugs.com: Bupropion
- MayoClinic.com: Serotonin Syndrome
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America: L-Lysine Acts like a Partial Serotonin Receptor 4 Antagonist and Inhibits Serotonin-Mediated Intestinal Pathologies and Anxiety in Rats
