Can You Take Mucinex Sinus Max With Bupropion?

Answer

Hello and thanks for your question! Although bupropion (generic for several brand name drugs including Zyban, Wellbutrin, and Aplenzin) generally has fewer drug interactions than other antidepressant drugs, such as SSRIs (e.g. Zoloft, Prozac), there are some minor concerns with blood pressure and other interactions.

Let's get into the products you mentioned specifically in your question.

Bupropion With Mucinex Sinus Max

Mucinex Sinus-Max contains the following active ingredients:

• Acetaminophen (pain reliever)
• Phenylephrine (nasal decongestant)
• Guaifenesin (expectorant)

The only concern here is with phenylephrine, the nasal decongestant contained in the product. This drug is similar to pseudoephedrine but generally considered not as potent.

Bupropion has been shown in studies to cause a rise in blood pressure in a small number of individuals. It appears to be a relatively uncommon side effect, with clinical studies showing an incidence rate of about 2%. However, when given along with other medications that can also increase blood pressure, the risk appears to be slightly greater.

For example, in one study where bupropion was given to those on nicotine replacement therapy, 6.1% of individuals developed high blood pressure.

Overall though, most studies find only very minor blood pressure changes or none at all. One study concluded:

Although only minor effects on blood pressure were observed in this trial, an infrequent association of bupropion therapy and treatment-emergent hypertension cannot be ruled out.

So, although blood pressure is something to be aware of, bupropion is generally considered safe to combine with nasal decongestants (such as phenylephrine) as long as your blood pressure is controlled. If you are taking medication for high blood pressure, you'll want to be sure to check it routinely while taking drugs like bupropion and decongestants.

The other drugs in Mucinex Sinus-Max are considered completely safe to use with bupropion (acetaminophen and guaifenesin).

Bupropion With Mucinex Max DM

Mucinex Max DM contains the following:

• Guaifenesin (guaifenesin)
• Dextromethorphan (cough suppressant)

The concern here is that bupropion can inhibit a metabolizing enzyme known as CYP2D6, which is responsible for the metabolism of dextromethorphan. This can increase concentrations of the drug in our bodies, increasing the risk of side effects.

Regardless, this is considered a minor interaction and generally does not cause any unwanted side effects.

In fact, there are a number of clinical trials that have evaluated the antidepressant effects of the combination of dextromethorphan and bupropion, and it has been well tolerated (such studies can be found here, and here).

Final Words

Overall, the use of bupropion with Mucinex products is generally considered safe. Just keep an eye on your blood pressure and make sure to follow the recommended dosing for all over-the-counter products.

I hope this answer helped!