Can Effexer,Welbutrin And Lexipro Be Taken Together For Depression Treatment?

Posted on Wed, 11 Jun 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 11 Jun 2014 Answered on

Tue, 1 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Yes my 23 year old son has depression. He was prescribed effexer, welbutrin and lexipro together by what I thought was a psychiatrist. I have discovered she is actually a psychiatric nurse practitioner. I have never heard of these three meds together and am concerned. Should I be?

Answered by Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Medication combination not appropriate.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.

I understand that you are concerned about the medication combination that has been prescribed for your son. Effexor (Venlafaxine), Wellbutrin (Bupropion) and Lexapro (Escitalopram) are all anti-depressant medication.

You are absolutely right in being concerned because it is not good clinical practice to prescribe 3 anti-depressants simultaneously. This is not safe also as the chances of drug interactions and side effects are higher.

So, I would advise you to take your son to a psychiatrist for a proper evaluation and appropriate prescription.

Wish you all the best.

Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.)
Consultant Psychiatrist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar