Zyban and Alcohol

If a person chooses to drink alcohol while on Zyban, he or she should drink only light-to-moderate amounts of alcohol. Moderate drinking is defined as two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. Some examples of drinks that count as one alcoholic drink include 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, and 1 ounce of 80-proof whiskey. It is important to talk with your healthcare provider about Zyban and alcohol, since everyone's situation is different -- and your healthcare provider understands your situation best.

 

Zyban and Alcohol: An Overview

Sometimes, people are warned to avoid alcohol while taking Zyban® (bupropion SR). This is because alcohol and medicines like Zyban act upon similar chemicals in the brain, so the concern is that Zyban will increase the effects of alcohol.
 
Practically, when many healthcare providers are asked whether it is okay to drink alcohol while taking Zyban, they recommend that if a person chooses to drink, he or she should drink only light-to-moderate amounts of alcohol -- and only after understanding the effects that Zyban and other medicines that he or she is taking have on his or her body.
 

Zyban and Alcohol: What Is Moderate Drinking?

When healthcare providers recommend moderate alcohol drinking, they mean one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. Because the alcohol content in drinks varies, what counts as one drink also varies. Following are a few examples of drinks that count as one alcoholic drink:
 
  • 12 ounces of beer
  • 5 ounces of wine
  • 1½ ounces of 80-proof whiskey
  • 1 ounce of 100-proof spirits.
     

Using Caution With Zyban and Alcohol

If a person decides to drink alcohol in moderation while on Zyban, it is recommended that he or she not drink alcohol at the same time as he or she takes Zyban. Also, as mentioned above, it is important to learn the effects of Zyban on your body before you begin drinking.
 
You should not stop drinking suddenly while taking Zyban, as this may increase your risk of Zyban seizures.
 
(Zyban and Alcohol Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;