Try to Minimize Alcohol With Auvelity — Plus, 5 More Tips to Maximize the Medication’s Benefits

Auvelity (dextromethorphan / bupropion) is a prescription-only medication that’s FDA approved to treat depression in adults. It’s one of the few fast-acting antidepressants that’s currently available for use.

Auvelity is especially helpful for people looking for relatively fast depression relief. It also conveniently comes as an oral tablet, so you can take it at home. But it's important to know that Auvelity can interact with alcohol and other medications. These interactions can potentially increase the risk of side effects.

If you’re considering taking Auvelity, consider the six tips below to help optimize the medication’s benefits and avoid possible issues.

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1. Try to avoid combining Auvelity and alcohol

It’s recommended to limit or avoid alcohol while taking Auvelity. Not only can drinking alcohol worsen symptoms of depression, but it could also increase the risk of certain Auvelity side effects.

If you drink alcohol often or in large amounts, stopping suddenly could increase your risk of seizures. Auvelity on its own can cause seizures, making this combination especially risky.

Auvelity can also make you more sensitive to alcohol’s effects by lowering your tolerance. What’s more, alcohol can increase the likelihood of mental health side effects, such as hallucinations, concentration issues, and confusion.

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Before starting Auvelity, it’s important to be honest with your psychiatrist about how much alcohol you tend to drink. They can talk with you about the risks versus benefits of starting treatment with Auvelity.

If you or someone you know struggles with substance use, help is available. Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 to learn about resources in your area.

2. Auvelity is relatively simple to take

Most people take one Auvelity tablet 1 or 2 times daily, at least 8 hours apart. You’ll likely take 1 tablet once a day for the first 3 days to help your body adjust to the medication. If all goes well, your psychiatrist may then raise your dosage to twice daily.

Regardless of how many times per day you take Auvelity, try taking your dose(s) at the same time(s) every day. This will help the level of Auvelity in your body stay consistent, so the medication is most effective.

You can also take Auvelity with or without food. But it’s an extended-release tablet, so be sure not to split, crush, or chew the tablets. Swallowing Auvelity whole will ensure the medication is released into your body in the right way. Altering or splitting the tablets may cause too much medication to release at once. This increases the risk of side effects.

3. Auvelity is effective for many people, and it starts working quickly

Coping with depression can be challenging enough. But finding the right antidepressant can be another hurdle. So if you’re switching from your current antidepressant to Auvelity, there’s good news. Auvelity is generally well tolerated and effective at improving depression symptoms.

Typically, other antidepressant medications start working after a couple of weeks of treatment. But these medications usually take about 4 to 8 weeks to really make a difference. Auvelity is faster-acting than traditional antidepressants. It can begin working in as little as 1 week. Though, it may take up to 6 weeks to see Auvelity’s maximum benefits.

Auvelity’s effects are designed to help on a long-term basis, as well. If Auvelity is working for you, continue to take your medication as prescribed by your psychiatrist — even if your depression symptoms resolve.

4. There are ways to keep Auvelity side effects under control

It’s a good idea to know what potential side effects to expect from Auvelity. This can help you get ahead of managing them.

Common Auvelity side effects that occurred in at least 5% of people in clinical trials include:

• Dizziness

• Nausea

• Headache

• Diarrhea

• Drowsiness

• Dry mouth

• Sexual problems

• More sweating than normal

These Auvelity side effects are usually mild and temporary. And many of them can potentially be improved with lifestyle changes, such as:

• Staying hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help with symptoms like dry mouth. Consider investing in a reusable water bottle to help you stay hydrated throughout the day.

• Eating a balanced diet: A nutritious diet supports health and helps combat fatigue. Try to make sure your meals include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

• Exercising regularly: Staying active can improve your mood and reduce fatigue. It’s recommended to start slowly and try to build up to getting at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of exercise per week.

• Practicing good sleep hygiene: Getting enough sleep helps stabilize mood. Creating a bedtime routine, and limiting caffeine and high-intensity exercise close to bedtime, can go a long way for your mood and energy levels.

• Talking to your psychiatrist: Make a note of any symptoms or concerns you’re having and share them at your next visit. Good communication can help your psychiatrist adjust your treatment plan to manage side effects.

5. Keep these Auvelity interaction management steps in mind

Auvelity’s degree of safety and effectiveness in part depends on how potential interactions with other medications and substances are managed. Auvelity interactions may lead to a higher risk of side effects or reduce how well the medication treats depression symptoms.

Some examples of medications that can interact with Auvelity are:

• Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)

• Amitriptyline

• Tramadol (Qdolo, Conzip)

• Clopidogrel (Plavix)

• Mirabegron (Myrbetriq)

• Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)

Here are a few things you can do to manage potential Auvelity interactions:

• Keep an updated medication list and share it with your healthcare team.

• Talk with your psychiatrist before making changes to your medication regimen.

• Avoid or limit alcohol intake.

• Watch out for new or worsening symptoms of depression (or side effects) when starting treatment with a new medication or supplement.

• Ask your pharmacist to review your medications often. Be sure to bring up any concerns about interactions.

These tips will help ensure Auvelity works as effectively as possible and that you are not at an increased risk of side effects. 

6. Not everyone should take Auvelity

While Auvelity is a valuable treatment option for many, it’s not for everyone. Individual factors — like having certain health conditions and taking certain medications — can indicate that Auvelity isn’t the right choice for someone. But there are plenty of alternative medications, and even supplemental treatments, for depression.

Auvelity may not be the right option for you if:

• You have a history of seizures.

• You're pregnant or breastfeeding.

• You have been diagnosed with an eating disorder, such as bulimia or anorexia.

• You have high blood pressure that’s consistently higher than your target readings.

• You suddenly stop drinking alcohol or taking certain medications, like benzodiazepines, after frequent use.

• You’re taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as selegiline (Emsam, Zelapar).

Dextromethorphan and bupropion, the active ingredients that make up Auvelity, have uses and interactions of their own, too. (For instance, dextromethorphan is a common ingredient in many cough medications.) It’s recommended to avoid taking either of these medications individually while being treated with Auvelity. Taking too much of these medications could contribute to serotonin syndrome.

How to save on Auvelity

There are ways to save on Auvelity, which is only available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate ways to save money on your prescription:

• Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $10 for your Auvelity prescriptions using a savings card from the manufacturer. This card, which is available through the Auvelity On My Side program, may cover up to a 90-day supply of the medication at a time.

• Save with GoodRx. GoodRx may be able to help you save nearly 15% off the average retail price of Auvelity at certain pharmacies.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Taylor K. Clarke, PharmD

Taylor K. Clarke, PharmD, has 8 years of pharmacy experience working in community practice, hospital pharmacy, and ambulatory care pharmacy. Taylor's commitment to patient education motivated her to pursue health communications as a pharmacist.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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